The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1905. M. DELCASSE'S DOWNFALL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7847, 13 June 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1905. M. DELCASSE'S DOWNFALL

T*e Kaiser'» theatrical ailepjpts at railing a storm oiver the Moroccan question have succeeded in bringing about the downfall of the best known Foreign Minister that France hna possessed in recent years. Doubtless there is great jubilation in Germany, over M. Delcasse's retirement from the control of the French Foreign office where, since 1898, he has been such a notable figure in one Ministry, after another. That ho was a stum-, bling blocß in the way of the ambitious Kaiser is well known, but only those who have followed closely the trend of international politics have realised the g»od' work which the exForeign Minister has performed in thwarting the evil designs of' the German autocrat against the peace of the world. Both the strong points of M. Delcasse's policy, .which, from the British standpoint have appeared contradictory, have been equally repugnant and dangerous to Germany. It has been the aim and policy of M. Delcasse to foster the Franco-Russian alliance and to promote cordial relations with" Great Britain, while the' Kaiser's aim has been to set each of these Powers at variance with yie others, in order that Germany might possess the balance of power. The successful way in which M. Delasse carried out his policy is only, too apparent to KJerjnnny, and naturally no effort hus been spared by >tho Kaiser to humiliate the man who dared to cross his path. [Phis, however, would not have been possible but for one of those spasmodic waves of feeling which constantly sweep over the political arena, of France. The growing antagonism of Socialist Deputies toi the alliance with Russia, has been a considerable factor in the outburst of hostility against M. Delcasse, but there has also been at work an undercurrent, probably treceablo to the influence of the German Embassy, which disaffected the Nationalisial as well as the Rad cals, resulting! in a gonibined attack on the Foreign Minister, under cover of the misunderstanding with! Germany over Morocco... The debato in the French Chamber, which led up to the w#s unexpectedly sprung upon_ the Government by a Nationalist Deputy, who toc\k advantage of a general discussion on the Finance iSill to raise the whole tifieslion of FVl'nch policy in Morocco. The Socialist leader. M. Jaurcs, was very bitter in his remarks against M. Delcasse, and as a lover of working up the Deputies ho stated that "the loss of Alsace had not diminished the weight of France." This r«-opening of an old wound had its effect on the Chamber, and the discussion became somewhat heated, the chief fault found with M. Dol«asoC being that ho did not specially unform Germany of tho arrangements entered into with 1 tha Moorish Government. IC is extremely regret

I table that aucti a feeble pretext should have led to the downfall ol one of the strongest, and most able Ministers that has occupier! the French Foreign Office. His tact and diplomacy have on several occasions been put to a' severe test, and by his resignation Great llritain loses a urm ally in the French Ministry. Less than two months back M. Peltasse resigned in consequence of what he doomed tht lack of support accorded hini by his colleagues while he was absent on his Mediterranean, tour, but he was induced to continue in office. Now the resignation is absolute, and the Knisorwill doubtless endeavour to take advantage of the opportunity of creating uneasiness in the minds of tta French lest complications follow. There is. however, little probability of France falling a victim to any of the Kair scr's wiles. The.present feeling is rather towards cooling off from Russian friendship,, and there is! every prospixt that, much as M. Delcasse's retirement is regretted, ' subsequent events will tend rather 'to stiffen France against Germany than play into the Kaiser'fi hand. That there may be trouble in Morocco seems possible. In an interesting extract from the St. Ja'mes' Gazette appearing m this issue, it will be seen that the Moors look upon both French and German rulers with signal distrust, and that they are prepared to resist European itvasion with all the fanaticism and disregard of death thaViis peculiar to the people. But it is also evident that the Moorish Government is quite equal to taking a leaf out of the Kaiser's book and playing off one Power a- '" gainst another.