New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Ribot Is Forced
Out by Painleve
To Save Cabinet
Action Taken After French
President Refused to Or
der New Ministry
Barthou Takes Office
Former Premier Was Violent
ly Opposed by Radical
Socialists
Barthou Takes Office

PARIS. Oct. 23.-President Poincar'
to-day signed DEGREES naming J. Louis
Barthou as Minister of Foreign Affairs
replacing Alexandra Ribot, it is Of
fcially announced. All the other port
folios in the Painleve Cabinet remain
unchanged.
After leaving the Elyseo Palace
where President Poincar6 signed the
DEGREES, Premier Painleve visited NJ
Ribot. 1t is understood among mem
hers of the Parliament that NJ. Ribot
will take an early opportunity to ex-
plain to the Senate his reasons for
leaving the Foreign Ministry.
The decision to resign which the
Cabinet reached yesterday was arrived
at during q meeting held at a late
hour Premier Painleve proceeded 70
the Flvsse Palace to inform President
Poincare Of the decision, while his col
leagues awaited his return.
Upon the Presidents refusal to &C
cent the designations the ministers re-
sumed their deliberations, finally plac-
ing their Portfolios in the hands OF the
Premier 10 dispose Of as he might find
necessary. II was long past midnight
when the meeting broke up.
Ribot Stumbling Block
The last sitting of the Chamber of
Deputies did not tend to solidify the
position Of the Cabinet, principally be-
cause Of the fact that Foreign Minister
KibOt was regarded with hostility by
several sections Of the house, and the
government felt that notwithstanding
the great services NJ. Ribot had rem
Foreign Office, several Of the minis
tiers believing that his departure was
all that was needed to save the Cabinet
before the Chamber. Premier Pain
leve IL is understood, then approached
VI. Barthou and asked him TO take the
Foreign portfolio. NJ. Ribot, however,
considered that Fridays vote in the
Chamber made 10 the duty of each
member of the Cabinet 10 remain
at his post. and accordingly he re-
fused 90 resign.
IT. was under these circumstances
that Premier Painleve began the con-
situations he has held within the last
few days with "a number of political
leaders. including VI. Barthou, VI. Nivi-
ami, Albert Thomas, the former So
cialist member of the War Council,
Minister of Finance Koltz and others.
finally summoning a meeting Of the
Cabinet late last night, which decided
on the resignation of the Ministry.
President Poincare's refusal was on
the ground that, inasmuch as the Cham
Der of Deputies had voted confidence in
the Cabinet after debate on the
general policy Of the government, the
customary indications were lacking as
10 the sentiment of the Chamber,
which, according to tradition and usage,
would Justify him in asking another
statesmen 70 form a ministry.
Give Premier Free Hand
After this the ministers, including
VI. Ribot. decided 10 give the Premier
q free hand. and this morning the fore
cast was that the day would bring
decision from VI. Painleve as ia
whether he would merely replace VI
Pibot. whether there would be q more
general reconstruction Of the minis
try or whether he would definitely re-
tire and make way for NJ. Barthou, VI
Vivian, NJ. BRAND or some other mar
similarly ItBdIutu az POSSlDIilIJ ~
the political world.
By forcing the resignation of N
Ribot,. Premier Painleve probably tool
the only measure that could save his
Cabinet. II was necessary for him e
obtain the support Of the Radical So
cialists. and the latter have been un.
conditionally opposed to the participa
ton Of VI. Ribot in the government.
The feeling in the extreme Socialis'
ranks against former Premier Ribot
was brought to a head at the time h,
refused passports TO the Stockholm
conference. 1t was the Socialists who
| brought about the fall Of the THIRD
Ribot Cabinet, and their hostility
against the Painlev6 Ministry seems t.
/ have been due entirely to the selec
ton Of NJ. Ribot as Foreign Minister.