FRENCH PARLIAMENT DEMONSTRATION OF NATIONAL UNITY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 153, 26 December 1914, Page 7

FRENCH PARLIAMENT DEMONSTRATION OF NATIONAL UNITY

BIG WAR CREDIT LONDON, 24th December. The opening of the- French Chamber was marked by an impressive demonstration of national unity. The seats of deputies who had fallen in the field were ornamented with the tricolour, and draped with scarves of crepe. The voice of the whole nation was heard in the thunders of applause which greeted the calm and defiant passages in the speeches, stating France's unfaltering resolve to fight to a finish. In his opening speech, the Prime Minister, M. Viviani, stated that Germany's endeavour to throw the responsibility for the war upon the Allies no longer deceived even the most credulous. Germany had pursued her object for forty years, and that object was, by the crushing of France, to arrive at the domination of the world. The Allies aimed at a reconstructed and regenerated Europe, founded upon justice and right. The Government had solely undertaken to rebuild the iuins caused by the German invasion, and had certainly borne in mind the indemnities to be exacted. Before the day of definite victory was reached the task would be heavy. "It may be long," added M. Viviani, and he continued: "Let us have before our minds the ideal of right. Belgium is giving to this ideal all the blood in her veins : England is unshakeable, and England is fighting for it, as also are faithful Russia, intrepid Servia, and the courageous Japanese Navy." The Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed a credit of £341,000.000. including £.241,000.000 for war expenditure. This will be met by Treasury bonds and pdvances by the Bank of Fiance. Fourteen millions has been ad« vanced to Belgium, Servia, Greece, and Montenegro. France's war expenditure for one year is estimated at £550,000,000. The Senate has passed a Bill postponing all elections until the end of the war.