New-York tribune., 1920-01-23
French Cabinet
Barely Escapes
Fall at Start
Deputies Confidence Vote
of PIP to q Moral De.
feat for Millerand: 800
Abstain From Balloting
Ask Dismissal of Steeo
Premier's Choice for In
terror Portfolio Is Bitter.
ly Opposed by Chamber


terror Portfolio Is Bitter
iy Opposed by Chamber
PARIS. Jan. 22.-Amid tumultuous
scenes in the Chamber of Deputies to-
day the recently formed Cabinet of
Premier Alexandra Millerand received
vote of confidence, 272 to 23 The
vote was considered moral defeat for
the government, however, as more than
three hundred Deputies abstaincd from
voting. The reluctance Of the Depu-
ties to vote on the question Of conf
dence recalled a scene in the Chamber
in the '90s, when the ministry of Alex
andre Ribot was overthrown three
hours after its formation.
The vote of confidence was taken on
the demand Of Premier Milerand. fol-
lowing an attack by Deputy Leon Dau-
det, editor of "L'Action Francaise," on
Jules Steeg, Minister of the Interior
M. Daudet demanded the right to in
terpellate the government on NJ.
Steeg's appointment TO the ministry.
He declared that Steeg was an accom-
plicc of Louis J. Malvy, former Min
ister Of the Interior, who was banished
following his conviction on charges Of
communicating with the enemy, and Of
Joseph Caillaux, former Premier, who
is soon to be brought to trial on the
charge of attempting TO promote pre-
mature and dishonorable peace with
Germany
The significance of the vote was
generally interpreted in the lobbies of
the Chamber to mean that the Mile
rand Cabient cannot last as now con-
stituted and that the Premier will have
to replace NJ Steeg at the Ministry Of
Interior or the Cabinet will be over
thrown on the first question involved.
Deputies Opposed to Steeg
Many of the Deputies who abstained
from voting told the correspondent
that they had given the Premier fair
warning that the next time they would
vote against him should NJ. Steeg re-
main.
The charges of NJ Daudet against
NJ. Steeg were specific and emphatic
He asserted that Steeg was in com
plicity with Malvy and continued the
latter's policy while he (Steeg) was
Minister of the Interior in the Pain
levG Cabinet. NJ. Daudet refused to
withdraw his charges and said he was
willing to produce facts to prove his
assertions. Stceg was absent while
Daudet was speaking. Summoned in
haste by telephone, he replied that he
had always served France with all his
heart and intelligence.
The opening speech of Premier Mil
lerand was received with respectful in
difference by the Deputies, but with
, Daudet's bitter attack on Steeg the
Chamber became extremely noisy and
unruly. The Cabinets initial bow to
the House was made amid conditions
which caused many to predict that its
moments when the question of the
Cabinets fall on the very day Of its
inauguration was seriously discussed.
Before the vote of confidence orders
of the day succeeded one another with
such rapidity that at one time seven
Of them lay on the desk of Speaker
Raoul Peret Premier Millerand, add
ing the question of confidence in the
Cabinot, finally accepted the order
OF the day submitted by Deputy
Dumesnil. reading: "The Chamber,
approving the governments declara-
tiOns relative to the choice of Minis
ter of the Interior and rejecting any
addition, rcvcrts to the order of the
day"
House in Tumult During Debate
The Chamber was in an uproar. and
| Speaker Peret threatened to suspend
the session. Prince Murat and NJ
! Daudet exchanged caustic personal re-
marks across the floor of the Cham
Der with members of the Extreme Left
amid pandemonium.
In his declaration of ministerial pol
lev Premier MiIlerand referred to the
league of nations, saying that the
government had confidence in it and
would do all it could to help strengthen
the leagues organization. To rely
upon promises for the future as guar
antcc of the immediate security OF
France and the reparations due hel
would, he said, be inexcusably negli-
gent. Consequently, no enterprise In
volving the use of the nations land OF
sea forces would be decided upon with
out the advice of its military chiefs
and taking into consideration the full.
fllment of its international obligations
The Premier said the government
would take particular care to promote
the development of friendly relations
with the lesser nations
The Premlcr's declaration pointed
out the necessity for n dminution in
consumption so that the national
wealth might be rebuilt, and the neccy.
sity Of increased production. He said
thnt every citizen must pay the taxes
imposed, adding that to refuse to do
so would bo to betray France. War
profits, in particular, he declared
would be taxed, and those persons max.
ing undue profits during tho present
difficult situation would be brought tc
justice.