FRENCH AMNESTY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18266, 27 December 1924, Page 11

FRENCH AMNESTY.

» \ WAR DESERTERS EXCLUDED. (BT CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COTTRIGHT) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PARIS, December 25. Despite opposition by the Minister of Public Works, the Senate, by 153 votes to 143, upheld an amendment to the Amnesty Bill making the reinstatement of railwaymcn who were dismissed in consequence of the 1920 strike, optional for the companies. Tho Senato adopted the Bill as amended by 213 votes to 67. Tho Senato deprived war-time deserters who fled from the country of civil rights for ten years. DIFFICULT POLITICAL POSITION (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received December 26th, 9.15 p.m.) PARIS, December 25. M. Herriot (Premier) was able to leavo his bed to-day to face a possibly dangerous political situation owing to tho Senate's refusal to accept tho Amnesty Bill. M. Herriot is still suffering from an infected leg, and it will bo somo time before he is able to walk freely. Newspapers with official leanings continue to talk of a plot against tho Government. "Le Temps'' and' '\Lc Journals des Desbat«'' says that M. Herriot, as soon as possible, should appear in the Senato and faco the stormy question of disarmament, which has also assumed: grave proportions. The French claim that if Germany wishes she can build up another army and fight another war. Observers see the onjy hope in the revivification of the effort by all the nations to preserve peace.