titude of the Caillaux government, noted the character
of the new cabinet with a feeling of keen satisfaction.
The "Daily Chronicle" declared that the formation
of the Poincaré cabinet was one of the most reassur-
ing manifestations which the history of contempo-
raneous France had shown. ¹

M. Poincaré retained the portfolio of foreign af-
fairs in the new ministry, and his speech to the Cham-
ber was eagerly awaited as an indication of his atti-
tude towards the recent agreement with Germany.
His ministerial declaration did not disappoint.
"This treaty permits the maintenance between a great
neighboring nation and France, in a spirit sincerely
pacific, of relations of courtesy and frankness, inspired
by the mutual respect of their interests and their
dignity. As ever, we intend to remain faithful to our
alliances and to our friendships. We shall strive to
strengthen them with that perseverance and that con-
tinuity which are in diplomatic action the best pledge
of uprightness and probity." ²

Now that France had a ministry well fitted to deal
with any emergency that might arise, she was destined
to have a rather uneventful year. The Italians were
still waging a desultory contest with Turkey for the
possession of Tripoli, and immediately after the new
cabinet was installed several minor disputes arose re-
garding questions of international law. The Italians
had seized an aeroplane on its way to Tunis claiming
that it was contraband of war; they had also stopped
the French steamer Manouba, transporting a Turkish

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