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Show CRISIS IN THE FRENCH CABINET Paris, Feb. 25. Premier Briand, for the first time In his brilliant career ca-reer as the controlling Influence in the government of France, finds himself him-self on shifting Bands. It Is quite piobablo that the resignation of the cabinet will be presented to the president pres-ident on Monday. If this course Is not adopted, It will more likely bo because be-cause of the urgency of personal friends and tho fact that no other strong leader appears available than because of any desire on the part of the premier to continue the fight agulnst the radical socialists and tho anti-clericals. The premier's friends describe him today as "Sick of It all, worn out phy-slally phy-slally and weary in spirit over the bickerings and petty distractions." Only a broad sense of duty will actuate ac-tuate him if he remains at his post. I But beyond the matter of his per- sonul Inclination there Is the unquestioned un-questioned weakening of the premier's pre-mier's power and of confidence In his ministry. The leader, who has before survived grave crises and come out with it triumphant vote of the chamber cham-ber of deputies, last night escaped censure of the government by a bare majority of 1C votes. The socialists, who have never forgiven for-given the premier for modifying the extreme ecclesiastic views which ho had championed when he first entered en-tered public life, have attacked him persistently, and at last night's session ses-sion all but forced his immediate retirement. re-tirement. Recently Briand was assailed jointly joint-ly by the clericals and socialists. Last night he was charged with clericalism. cler-icalism. The discussion arose through interpellation blaming the govemi-i govemi-i ment for not having applied the laws l against religious bodies with proper I severity. Following the adjournment of the chamber, the cabinet met at the pre mier's office and considered the situation. situ-ation. Foreign Minister of Commerce Com-merce Dupont was for resigning at , once. All other ministers were on-1 posed to an Immediate retirement unless un-less further developments should make this move imperative. Briand's personal wish was to be free i from tho obligations of his office, but his responsibility to tho parliamentary parliament-ary groups supporting him and the country persuaded him to remain for the present. After a discussion that continued for six hours, an adjournment was taken until 9 o'clock this morning. When they reconvened today, the ministers in a conference of one hour decided to postpone the question of their resignations until after the obsequies ob-sequies of General Brun, the late minister min-ister of war, on Monday. The cabinet will meet at J: 30 o'clock Monday nft-ornoon. nft-ornoon. oo |