Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-16
VICTIM OF IGNORANCE or
PARLIAMENTARY METHODS
lBy Associated rros.

IEautcN. who resigned yesterday AS
Minister Of War, apparently was tho
victim Of his ignorance OF parlia-
mcrtary methods. lie wished To re-
sign few weeks ago on account of
the opposition which developed in
Parliament to his bill requiring that
men rejected as soldiers on account OF
physica defects bc again examined aud
providing for tho incorporation Of
priests in iGhting units
In handing his resignation to Pre-
mior BRAND. General Lyautey said his
decision was irrevocablc. After he left
the chamber he went directly to the
War Ministry. dispatched pending busi-
ness and announced his resignation to
his staff
INFORMS POlNCARE
OF RESIGNATION
The Premier called on President Poin-
care at midnight and informed him OF
the generals resignation. II was I'M
derstood the Cabinet would meet to-
day to deliberate what steps must be
taken, on account OF the situation
which has developed.
The words which aroused anger in
the Chamber Of Deputies formed the
first par, Of n written statement pre-
pared IN advance by the general. tho
whole OF which h" was unable 10 read
on account OF the tumult What he
read was as follows:
IL must admit that at first thought
II would be preferable il this debate
did not take place II really did not
seem cpportunc at moment whom
had just established an organization
which answers in principle at least, TO
most Of your requirements. To begin
such discussion. ] thought. and still
think. is dangerous; but If I agreed
10 it, IL was because il was most dis
tasteful TO inc TO give the appearance
of stunning it. I believe there arc
things which must not h" spoken. You
will permit me not To follow YOU into
technical questions. because even in
secret session my responsible opinion
as that would expose the national de-
Tense to risks"
The general was interrupted by a
tumultuous outbreak During 4 brief
lull. Paul Deschanel. president OF the
chamber. said: "lt must not he in
ferrcd from certain words spoken here
that the chamber has not the right To
discuss In secret session everything
concerning the national defense
General Lyautcy did not seem To un-
He wished 10 continue the reading of
his speech, but the uproar began again.
louder than ever He finally gave up.
OUTBREAK DESCRIBED
AS MOST VIOLENT
The incident was described by the
parliamentary reporter of the Petit
Parisicn as one OF the most violent he
had ever witnessed. The Figaro do
tends General I.ynutcy, saying:
1T is difficult 10 sec at this time
the poltical effects Of Yesterdays in
cidents in the chamber, hut what dom
mates them is the scandalous attitude
OF part OF the assembly towards Cen
eral Lyautey. The general was not
lacking in respect to the house. An
expression which he was not allow ed
time 10 amplify sutsiccd 10 lot loose an
unhenrd-of scandal 1t would seem as
II hypocritical fear Of coup d'ctat
which nobody believes in simply served
to disguise former distrusts and
hatreds. We hope the chamber will
find a way Of d;sowninG responsibility
for this unpleasant incident. The
chamber cannot with impunity assoc
ciatc itself with those who have in
s.ltcd General Lyautcy."