Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-27
NOW LYING A QUIET LIFE
Delcssse, Former French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, Worn Out,
Taking Needed Rest
EXPECTED TO AGAIN GET BUSY

NCorres pondence OF the Associated PressD
PARIS. oct m-Slnce his recent sud
den resignation from the ministry Of for
eign affairs NJ Decasse has been living
very quietly IN his modest quarters in
Montmartre. His side OF the story leading
up to the resignation has not been told.
and he Is tol worn out with the hard
work Of the war 20 make him combative
On sprcading before the public his version
OF the rupture There Is a general desire,
also 90 avoid controversies which may
create the impression that government Of
ficials are ct cross-purposes. And 20 the
passing out OF this prominent figure. who
was probably better known IN England
and America than any man in the min
istry. is likely to pass as one Of the in
cidents Of the war.
Most ministers are surrounded by a
political group. which. when their leader
meets reverse, quickly takes up his
cause and presents his side to the public.
But Deicasse has never figured promi-
nently in political and parliamentary cir
Giles, and there is no group ready TO take
up the cudgel In his behalf About all
that Is known Il that French and Eng
lsh diplomacy was rather slow In roaliz-
ing the German plan OF securing an ally
In Bugaria's Joining the central powers
This brought an outburst Of French pub
lia sentiment. and Dclcasse passed out as
having been the one who should have
forcHeen and averted this German move
20 the southeast Just how he could have
averted II Is not clear. but the chief
criticism Is that France and England re-
manned passive. while the German game
Ia Hn Nra.f1r
great activity and success.
Too strong 60 stay out.
Some OF Delcassc's friends think he Is
too strong a man TO remain out OF the |
government very long, Of this time OF
need for strong men. They say that !
when the Balkan storm has blown over |
Delcassc will be able to ask his sue !
cessors what more they have done than
they expected him 10 do, In checking
German intriguos Tho English senti- !
ment would probably be favorable TO his |
returning. as his Balkan course was
largely the same as that OF the British |
foreign office. The English also have a
warm admiration for Delcasse as one of
the chief figures In forming the entente |
cordiale between England and Franco. |
But his strength. and the recognition OF
hts ability as a diplomatist, have always !
been greater abroad. notably In England. !
Russia and America, than at home.
The personal side Of NJ. Delcasse's life !
has It's peeullaritles. and this has been
quite n factor In bringing about his |
resignation. lie works and lives very |
mucn 20 himself. and makes no con- |
fidenceH Even his associates IN the !
ministry knew little or nothing OF how
he was shaping foreign policies relating
90 the war. lie seldom Joined them ex-
cegt OF cabinet meetings when the dis
cussion was formal. and he was in the
habit OF announcing results rather than
Inviting discussion OF what had better
be done ON various pending questions.
knowing bis tendency TO work out his
own plans. he was given free rein and
there was no team work on foreign at
fairs AZ the foreign office he wrote
many Of the dispatches OF instructions
much as he would do In his private az.
fairs. often without keeping copies. ana
seldom letting their purport be generally
known among officials. Gradually Il
camo TO be felt In the ministry that Dol
easse was too exclusive In his methods
Of carrying on the foreign branch. This
had good deal 10 do in bringing about
the recent change.
absorbed I'm Work.
Delcasse's systematic habits also dlf-
fered much from those Of other officials.
This led 20 comparison between tho
habits OF Millerand, the war minister.
and Deicasse. the foreign minister
Millerand Is a man OF intense applica-
lion. He gets absorbed in his work AZ
Ia 81 a. -
until late hour at nlsht attending 10
various details, and finally finds himself
IN a state Of physical exhaustion. Del
casae Is just the reverse He is a man
OF scrupulous regularity. He gets up
very early in tho morning and Is one OF
the earliest arrivals at the foreign Of
flee. Nothing interrupts the regularity
OF his lunch or other meals. lie does
his work within fixed hours. and leaves
early. lie goes straight home. taking no
fart In the restaurant. thestor or gay
life. lie goes to bed early, and has a
standing order that he Is not to be
awakened. no matter how urgent the
business may be. This was IN marked
contrast TO some OF his cabinet assocl-
atcs, who were on call night and day
ON anything urgent IN their branches Of
war work.
As minister OF foreign affairs. Del
casse had at his disposal the splendid
private apartments at the Quay d'orsay
always set aside for the head OF the OF.
flee. But be was the one foreign
minister who never made Use OF them.
The quarters include handsome salons,
private dining rooms. bed chambers. ETC..
with an outlook ON the spacious gardens
of the establishment They are along.
side the quarters OF viviani president
OF the council. who has never failed TO
use his share OF these handsome apart
nlents.
Lives MOdeatIy.
But Deleasse has always preferred to
occupy a most modest apartment on the
Avenue de Cliehy, The Avenue de Cllehy
is the main thoroughfare Of Montmartre.
The center OF Bohemian life. and Is a
sort OF coney Island and Midway
Piaisance rolled together The Delcasse
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