New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-16


exercising the dominating influence in the
ensued political situation. The Ribot min
istry, with the customary, for France, term
Of life to its credit, has fallen. To the out
side world the fall came as complete sur
prise. And yet the chief cause Of Ribot's
retirement formed the most sensational
chapter in the history of France for the
last several weeks. That chapter is the
celebrated Almereyda case. To under
stand the reason for the French Cabinet
crisis It is essential to know the details Of
this Almereyda affair.
Miguel Almereyda was the editor of the
extremely radical paper Bonnet Rouge
His real name was Eugene Bonaventure
Vigo and his family belonged to the little
Republic of Andorra, in which he was born.
At the early age of seventeen he attached
himself to the Anarchist party. For sign
ing the famous anti-militarist declaration
he was condemned to three years imprison-
ment, and while confined in the prison of
Clairvaux he helped to found LA Guerre
Sociale," with which Gustave Herve was
formerly connected. In 1913 he founded
the Bonnet Rouge" which became daily
in the spring of 1914.
n lanes on the Blacklist of the
~ French Secret Service
The managing editor Of the Bonnet
Rouge" was one Duval. NJ. Duval would
take frequent trips to Switzerland, obvi-
ously in the interests Of the paper, which
was pacifist and nternationalist pubica
ton. The names of both Almereyda and
Duval were on the blacklist of the French
Secret Service. But that did not prevent
Duval from obtaining passports to go to
Switzerland. The reason was to be found
in the fact that the French Minister of
the Interior, NJ. Malvy, Socialist, was
friend of Almereyda. The openly anti
patriotic organ thus had the support Of
member of the very patriotic Ribot minis
try. This gave Georges Clemenceau, ey
Premier and Senator, an opportunity to
make charges against Minister Malvy,
which he did in his great speech delivered
on July %. He said in part:
"Mr. Malvy has told his friends that he
did not want to apply the blacklist when |
was advising il. Let me explain first
what the blacklist is. | have never seen it,
but know that it exists. In it are inscribed
the names of people dangerous to the mobil-
zation and during the war.
"There is in France class Of individuals
who call themselves anti-patriots. This
seems to them as a kind OF a cockade for
their hats The present Minister of the In
terror was prosecuting them while he was
Under Secretary of State, but that was in
1911.
81 am in the possession Of the Amereyda
papers; | am placing them at Mr. Ribot's
disposition; they are more positive than
those Of the Minister Of the Interior, where
there are so many missing pages. Mr.. AL
mereyda has not led an ordinary life; he is
guided by principles; he declares that In case
Of war one ought not to obey the command,
but cause disorder at the railroad stations
To him all are alike, whether German or
French.
"fow has he been able TO gain the friend
ship of the Minister of the Interior? lie
was in the ministry the day before yester-
day. lie spoke in regard to the blacklist.
"Mr Almereyda has battered himself with
having caused Mr.. Malvy to enter the gov
eminent Minister Malvy and Mr.. Almereyda
are writing that everything will be all right
II il easily understood, then, why Almereyda