Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28
RECONSTRUCTED FRENCH CABINET

popular in connection with the recap
ture of Douaumont and the Vaux and
of all of the series of operations around
Verdun which effaced the results which
man offensive. prolonged with unusual
violence during more than six months.
Coatrary to certain opinions. Gen. NiveDe
maintained main aimed tina, the army Of the west
results Of its offensive. The result for Il
fact justified in tho most complete
manner the tactical views of Gen.
Nivelie. Nothing is said of what be-
comes of the former grand general
staff of the army. This is a question OF
detail. which will be left to the action
of the committee on war OF the cabinet.
With reference to the second part OF
the order of the day voted. to concen-
trate his cabinet
Ministerial under restricted
n..4 direction, III. Arts
Vfsanizatlon. tide BRAND an
had been reduced to ten Five ministers
will compose the war committee-ths
president of the council, the minister
of war, the minister of marine, tho
minister of finances, the minister OF
armamonts and munitions of war. Gen.
Joffre. 1t is understood, presides over
the sessions Of this committee, in the
capacity of technical military councillor
Of the government.
With the view of concentrating the
economical organization of the conn
try. the president of the council had
reunited under the authority of NJ
oIementel the services of agriculture.
VIII constitute the ministry of national
economy. He had united the services
OF civil revictualing, military revic-
tualing and transportation. and these
together will constitute a new minis
try OF transportation and revictualing
the chief of which will be M. Edouard
Herriot. senator of the Rhone, q man
Of very quick intelligence.
NJ. Aristide BRAND, in suppressinp
seven ministerial portfolios. has ac-
complished an ungrateful task in the
presence of parliament. where minis
terial candidates are always numerous
self in the secret committee" against
NJ. BRAND under pretext Of certain ac-
cusations of negligence" which. made
In secret session." had not been dis
closed; DID the neglisence refer to
the failure to support Rumania? Opin-
ion judged M. BRAND. on the whole
aside from the disseminated and in
terested members-fairly. and gave him
their renewed votes of confidence.
4 i
Some idea of the difficulties that be-
strew the ministerial path may be seen
by a glimpse at the re-
Luxembourg cent session of the French
Besieged. Of Luxempurr -" was s be-
sieged by women DESTROYS of witnessing
and hearing the interpretations of Sen
ator Henry Beringer on the conduct OF
the war. The stairways of the palace
were so invaded and incumbered that
| a member of the press. prevented from
| tiently: you would do better to go
| work in the munitions factories."
M. Berengers' Interpolation was
formulated thus: THE president of
the council is asked to explain his
| ministerial Transformation. Is It a
simple change of persons or a change
of method?" The orator criticised the
in the orient for cooperation of the
allies. He was not convinced that the
| Indispensable effort had been accom-
plished. Promises had been made by
the president of the council on the
unity of the front, on the reorganiza-
! ton of the superior command. These
promises, had they been realized?
The idea of the sinterpellatof may be
best penetrated by citing further from
| the text Of his Interpolation: =
Perhaps the government has not the
war mentality which suits the present
hour. We desire a government OF war.
which may make war, who may know
| war. which dares to make war We de-
sire the concentration OF civil and mill
tary powers.
I'VE are many who believe that the
genius of tractation' which is that of
the president of the council does not cor
respond with the necessary audacity OF
the chief Of a government. which should
not hesitate to risk the fate Of the coun-
try.
Are you this war government? What
have you done with the confidence
We have given you? Your past Of yester-
day does not reassure me Of your future
of tomorrow.
I'VE demand of the government IL it
is fixed as to the integral war fabrica-
tons. as to the tnterallied efforts and
to the diplomatic efforts. II the gov
eminent of today and tomorrow is no
other than that OF yesterday I declare
that I cannot give 1t my confidence"
The president Of the council replied
at once that NJ Berengers interpeila-
ton was marked by a tendency of hos
tility to his government. ITO what
government would you address yourself
who gave more collaboration to parlia-
ment, more confidence than this one?
Has 1t ever refused to appear before
the senate or chamber committees, or
army committees, to consecrate long
hours to explanations on all points OF
its exterior policy and Of its war
policy?"
The president of the council had
never avoided these interrogations.
Five months ago the pres
Confidence ident of the council had
w., been interpellated in tho
'"'eo' senate, which voted him Its
confidence vote quasi-unanimous.
Then the chamber ten days after
ward. after secret sessions in which
every point was met. voted fits
entire confidence and appreciation. Re
Gently another Interpolation resulted
in the conclusions of the first secret
committee. Work Be active, be ener-
getic. be war government; take war
resolutions. be in way-for 1t could
not be otherwise in time of war-a die
tatorial government within the limits
Of the constitution"
There were urgent measures to be
taken. but the deliberations of assem-
blies are slow and complex. In order to
act with rapidity in certain matters
touching the national defense, we have
asked authority to proceed by DEGREES.
Now. look at the obstacles which we
O nfnr~ to oh nf.