A SHORT-LIVED GOVERNMENT.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13495, 15 June 1914, Page 5

A SHORT-LIVED GOVERNMENT.

RESIGNATION; OF M. RIBOT,

SITUATION CONSIDERED GRAVE

EXCHEQUER NEARLY EMPTY

(Received June 14, 5.5 p.m.)

Paris, June. 13

. Despite'the fact that 350 deputies applauded M. Ribot's statement "in favour of the trier.mum seivk-e, a vote of noconndence was carried by 374 votes to 187. The Government ha> resigned.

The crisis is considered to be the most serious in the history of the Republic, marking open conflict between President Poincare and the majority of the Republicans and Socialists; and also increasing the divergence between the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

When M. Ribot,began to explain his policy, the Radicals and Socialists made an almost continuous chorus- of interruption, and the speech Avas heard in snatches.

After three hours' tumult the motion of Avant of confidence was earriod.

There were demonstrations in the boulevards, Avhere shouts of "Down Avith triennium service," mingled with "Vive I'Armee," and "Vive Poincare.'' The police cleared the streets.

M. Poincare accepted M. Ribot's resignation, and will probably again summon M. Viviani to form a Cabinet.

The Budget for the present year has not been voted, and the Exchequer is nearly empty. The initial deficit is tAjenty-foar millions,-.and nothing has been done to provide the thirty-eight millions sterling deeded to pay the recent army increase. .

The question of what Russia will say is much canvassed,, as triennium service is France's pledge to Russia.