On Tuesday all France was taken by surprise by the
resignation of M. Clemenceau. The debate on the state of the Navy went very well for the Government up to a certain point, but it ended in a fierce personal encounter between H. Delcasse and M. Clemenceau. M. Delcasse delivered a relentless attack on the administra- tion of the Navy, and held M. Clemenceau responsible. H. Clemenceau retorted passionately by declaring that the vast and ambitious schemes of M. Delcasse when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs had prepared the way for the " humiliation " of France. The Chamber broke into angry protest, and it was at once seen that there was every prospect of the voting going against the Government. The expectation proved true, the Government scoring only 176 votes against 212. H. Clemenceau immediately walked out of the Chamber, followed by his Ministers, and offered his resignation to H. Fallieres, which was accepted. We have written of the situation elsewhere, and will only say here that, while English- men greatly regret the fall of one who has been so brilliantly successful a Prime Minister and so consistent a friend of Britain, they have the satisfaction of knowing that the new Government will probably not be a whit behind H. Clemencean in good feeling towards this country.
