THE UNREST IN FRANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 125, 22 November 1935, Page 10

THE UNREST IN FRANCE

International causes are primarily interested in the stability of national Governments. Opinions may, and do, differ as to the wisdom of sanctions; and the first thing that a sanctionsapplying League of Nations wishes to know is whether the Governments on whom it relies are sincere on the sanctions policy and whether those Governments are stable. No longrange policy of the League, based on restricting trade with a war-maker, is possible unless the Governments that are to implement the restrictions are both willing and able. That the British Government is willing was made clear in October; and that it is able has been demonstrated in j November by a General Election that gives both mandate and tenure- of office. France, however, remains not quite certain. M. Laval's mandate is limited in time, and according to the "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent his Government may face a crisis in even shorter time than was anticipated. League policy needs not only a stable Britain but a stable France. To that extent, the international cause requires the right kind c-f national Governments. Weakness in Paris is more to be deplored than threats from' Rome, and the reported revival of domestic dissensions in France is therefore a matter of moment;