LAVAL GOVERNMENT MAY SURVIVE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 11

LAVAL GOVERNMENT MAY SURVIVE

> Foreign Affairs Debate PREMIER TO DEFEND HIS POLICY By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. (Received December 27, 8.45 p.m.) Paris, December 26. To-morrow’s interpellation of M. Laval’s foreign policy is expected to result in the survival of the Government, though by probably less than the reduced majority of 52 which it received 10 days ago before the resignation of Sir Samuel Hoare.

There seems little doubt that the Premier has lost the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies, but parliamentarians desire the Budget passed before the end of the year without the disturbance of a Cabinet crisis. Some, too, are anxious to see what Mr. Eden’s policy is likely to be before making a change. To-day M. Laval presented the Cabinet with an outline of the defence he will give for his Italo-Ethiopian policy, one of the features of which, it is understood, is that France will refrain from any military or naval move against Italy unless Italy gives provocation by attacking the British fleet. Although deputies are expected sharply to question the Government tomorrow. the debate may not end in a test vote. After giving an explanation of the abortive Laval-Hoare peace plan, the Premier may be able to avoid a vote, and that course is desired by many who are anxious to keep the Government in office until the new session begins in January. LONGER COMPULSORY SERVICE PERIOD Now Two Years In France Paris, December 26. “Germany’s rearmament is proceeding with accelerated rhythm,” declared the War Minister, Colonel Fabry, in introducing the Recruiting Bill. He explained that France was able to station only 400,000 men in Metropolitan France, whereas Germany had 800,000 effectives. The Bill temporarily increases compulsory service from one year to two years to ensure the manning of the line of fortifications in the event of aggression.