20 JANUARY 1912, Page 2

The self-effacement of M. Bourgeois in accepting a sub- sidiary

post is typical of the new Cabinet. As the Paris correspondent of the Times puts it, "the new Ministry is welcomed as showing that men of the first Parliamentary rank with distinguished records in high Ministerial office are willing to subordinate personal ambition to the service of their country at a critical moment." M. Poincar6 is known to be a strong Second Chamber man, a firm believer in propor- tional representation, and an outspoken critic of professional politicians. Tho appointment of M. Briand as Vice-President of the Ministry carries with it more than titular significance. " M. Poineare is a Senator, and will have his hands full as Foreign Minister. By formally announcing that M. Briand will be Vice-President of the Ministry he desires to delegate to him the duty of representing the Government in the Chamber when he himself is unable to be present or to speak." Another interesting appointment is that of the Socialist M. Millerand to the Ministry of War. For the German Emperor once wrote on the report of a speech of M. Millerand's, " Oh that we had such Socialists here I" and Prince Billow read both report and Imperial comment to the Reichstag.