FRENCH PRESIDENCY

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1931, Page 5

FRENCH PRESIDENCY

M. BRIAND’S CANDIDATURE ■ —■ URGED SY SUPPORTERS [by cable —pbess Assn.- —cop height.] 4 PARIS, May 9. ’ A momentous debate ■- on foreign policy in the Chamber of Deputies is expected vitally to influence the imminent Presidential election. It lasted till after midnight, in an excited Chamber. Two war-blinded deputies spoke, one of them warning Franqe to beware of Germany, whilst' the other urged European pacification. M. Franklin Bouillon bitterly attacked the Foreign Minister, M. Briand. He declared that Germans and Austrians have “caught- you off your guard. Everyone is aware of the Austro-German customs* Union except you and your ambassador!” M. Briand, in replying, said that there was nothing to apologise for! He took the full responsibility for France’s foreign policy. Her prestige was never higher throughout the world than it was to-day. Germany and'Austria, he said, had niade an error in psychology. A Customs Union was not. f orb jddeji. •. by any treaty, but it was not-reafisable-with-out the League of Nation’s consent. The Chamber approved of the Government’s statements' .on' foreign policy. ' . The Chamber unanimously, condemned the Austro-Ge'rman Union. The vote is recorded as making certain M. Briand’s election to the Presidency of France. • ; .' Though he persists in declaring that he will not be nominated for the presidency, because once he enters the Elysee he will be barred from putting the copingstone on his edifice of pacification of Europe, M. Briand is the hottest favourite. All the Leftists, after last night’s division, resolved unitedly to press M. Briand to consent to nomination. Meanwhile, ,M. Poincare has renewed his old antagonism, and announces that he will most strongly oppose M. Briand. /-■ DOUMERGUE TO STAND. (Received May 11, 8 a.m.) I PARIS,. May 10. . It is rumoured that M. Doumergue at the last minute, consented to a second term. If a candidate, he is almost certain of re-election.