FRENCH CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9614, 21 March 1917, Page 5

FRENCH CRISIS

NEW CABINET FORMED M RIBOT 8E0035E8 PRIME MINISTER. By Teloerapli—Pres« Association— Copyrlft' Heater's Tolotrraro*. (Received Marcli 20, 11.35 p.m.) EONDON, March 19. M. Rihot, Minister for Finance jn the late Government, has formed a Cabinet, as follows: — j£. Alexandre Ribot, Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs. M Painleve, Minister for War (formerly Minister for Public Instruction). . . Admiral Eacaze, Minister for Marino (re-appointed). . M. Albert Thomas. Minister for Munitions (re-appointed), jl, j. Thierry, Minister for Finance (lately Tinder-Secretary of Commissariat Department). M. Malvy, Minister for the Interior (re-appointed). M. Clementel. Minister for Commerce and National Economy (re-appoint-ed). . it. Bourgeois, Minister for Labour (the same in 1914). M. Violette, Food Controller. THE NEW PREMIER. M. Ribot now assumes the leadership of the Government for the third time. Born at St. Omer in 1842 he was educated at the local Lycce and admitted to the French Bar in 18C4. In 1870 he held an appointment in the legal tribunal of the Seine. He was secretary to the Minister of Justice in 1878, and in the same year was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. From 1890 to 1893 M. Ribot held the portfolio of Fbreign Affairs in M. de' Frcycinet’s Ministry, and it was during this time that the alliance between Franco and Russia was completed. He was President of the Cabinet (Premier) during the stormy period of the Panama case, and again after resignation of M. Gasimir-Per-rier, on his election to the Presidency. Ho has been Minister for Finance in the various Cabinets that have been formed since the outbreak of war in 1914.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE TO BE OPENED BY MR- LLOYD GEORGE. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Alarch 21, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. The Prime AI mister will formally open the ‘ Imperial Conference. After that Mr Walter Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, will preside. It has been decided that as far as possible th© War Cabinet and the Imperial Conference shall meet on alternate days. UNITED STATES AND GERMANY AIOBILISATION OF ATLANTIC FLEET. - By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association WASHINGTON, Alarch 19. The United States is planning the early manufacture and mobilisation of a fleet of small armed submarine chasers. The President is also contemplating compelling manufacturers to relinquish contracts lor the Allies in order to undertake contracts for the United States. The immediate expenditure of £20,000,000 recently voted by the Senate has been authorised. It is now believed that President Wilson’s mind is made up for actual hostilities against Germany. The feeling is becoming widespread tha> a declaration of war is imperative. The Navy Department is considering the general mobilisation of the Atlantic fleet: PERSIANJJAMPAI6N TURKS DISLODGED FROM VARIOUS POSITIONS. Admiralty—Per Wireless Press.' Aus. and N Z. Cable Assn, and Beuter. LONDON, March 19. A Russian official report states: Wo dislodged tho Turks from, a number of positions, and they are retiring towards Pendsheviffi. We occupied Harunbad, forty-five miles south-west of Kermanshah.