The composition of the new French Ministry formed by M.
Barthon was given in the papers of Monday. M. Pichon is Minister for Foreign Affairs; M. Ratier, Minister of Justice; M. Baudin, Minister of Marine; M. Klotz, Minister of the Interior ; and M. Etienne, Minister of War. M. Barthon himself has taken the portfolio of Public Instruction. M. Dumont, the Minister of Finance, and M. Masse, the Minister of Commerce, belong to the Socialist-Radical Party, while M. Ratier and M. Thierry, the Minister of Public Works, belong to the moderate group called the Republican Union. The Ministry is not unnaturally regarded as a very mixed crew who are not likely to pull long together. On Tuesday the statement of policy was made in both Houses and was received in the Chamber almost with hostility. The Government would admit no compromise in the proposal to re-establish three years' service in the Army. On electoral reform a struggle with the Senate would be avoided in the public interest; the Government hoped to induce the Senate, while accepting scrutin de lisle, to agree to a compromise on the representation of minorities ; scrutin de lisle as a mere substitute for scrutin d'arrondissement would not be advocated. The gcole laique would be stoutly protected from manceuvres and outrages. The Income Tax Bill, now more necessary than ever, would be pressed on. In the division M. Barthou had a majority of only 63.
