Evening star., 1923-04-24
Senate Commission Chairman Looms
Large in French Foreign Relations

Bf THE MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.
the commission of the senate on for
eign relations in France exercises a
very important role in the direction
and control of her international poll
cies--more SO indeed than the for
elgn relations committee of the
American Senate. For, whereas the
minister actually in charge of the
direction of these policies over here
that is to say, the Secretary of
State-is responsible only to the
President, the minister of foreign af-
fairs in Paris, who happens to be also
the premier, is responsible where in
ternational policies are concerned. to
the national legislature, and more es-
pecially to its permanent committees
on foreign AFFAIRS. In fact, the min
lister in question and the entire cab
met are dependent for their existence
and for their continuance in office
upon the approval of the legislature.
which can upset them overnight and
drive them from power.
r
1t is worthy, therefore, of attention
on this side Of the Atlantic that NJ.
Justin de Selves. senator of the de-
partment Of Tarn-et-Garonne and
knight grand cross Of the Legion of
Honor, also happily married to an
American wife in the person Of the
former Miss Garrison of New York,
has just been elected to the chair
manship of the commission of the
French senate on foreign affairs De
Selves is very distinguished looking
man and a nephew of the now nom
agenarian, Charles de Freycinet, who
has during the last half century held
French statesman now living. In
fact de Selves shares much of his
venerable uncle's suavity, kindness
Of character and utter freedom from
official arrogance.
Not but what he has temper and
strong prejudices in which also he
resembles his uncle. Thus, when
Georges Clemenceau returned last
winter from his tour in America, he
went to pay a call upon de Freycinet
with whom he. had co-operated and
with whom he had sometimes fought
homeric battles, but always for the
welfare and in behalf OF what each
Of them believed to be the best in
terests OF their beloved country. The
meeting between these two old vet
Grams of 1870 was of the most cor
dial and even affectionate descrip-
tion. De Freycinet was much touched
by the attention on the part of
Clemenceau in coming to call on him
and to tell him all about his trip to
the United States.
The interview lasted about two
hours, but before they got through.
differences OF opinion cropped up.
Each lost his temper. and began
shouting at one another, and finally
matters reached such a pass that
Clemenceau had to be led out of the
room by relatives Of de Freycinet,
who, shaking his fist at Clemenceau.
insisting that he never wanted to see
him again. while Clemenceau equally
excited. maintained loudly and an
erily that De Freycinet was in his
dotage. which is very far from being
the case.
4 X +
With De Selves, the mere mention
of the name of ex-Premier Joseph
Caillaux IL enough to make him see
red, and to lose every vestige of
equanimity. He cannot forget how
when he was filing the role of min
lister of foreign affairs before the
great war, Caillaux, then premier,
took upon himself to pursue a foreign
policy on his own account, dame