M. BLUM RESIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1937, Page 7

M. BLUM RESIGNS

DISPUTE WITH SENATE

QUEST FOR NEW PREMIER

[By CABLE PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

PARIS, June 21. It is officially announced that M. Blum’s Government has resigned. The Senate met at 11.30 p.m. and considered the Government’s demand for special financial powers. These had already been conceded by the Chamber of Deputies, but a compromise measure had been drafted to meet the Senate’s objections. The Senate, after the Minister for Finance (M. Vincent Auriol) and M. Blum had pleaded the Government’s viewpoint, rejected by 160 votes to 112 an amendment in favour of the Government, which had been moved by M. Perrier.

The Senate then rejected the compromise text by 168 votes to 96, and voted for its own .bill, limiting M. Blum’s powers to the suppression of speculators and fiscal frauds. M. Blum’s decision was announced at. 2.25 a.m. M. Blum called on the

President (M. Lebrun), who accepted his resignation, and immediately embarked on. the formation of. a new Cabinet.

Mean while, the Chamber of Deputies resumed sitting. The President of the Chamber (M. Herriot) announced that the Government had no further communication to make. The Chamber ' then adjourned.

It'is believed that -M/ Saraut, M. Chautemps, M.’ Daladier, -or M. Herriot may be Prime Minister. It. is not expected that the New Government will abandon its Popular Front character, but it will probably be more moderate. It is expected that M. Blum will continue as Minister x of State. M. Daladier will probably be Minister for Defence, and M. Delbos, Foreign Minister. ■, M.-Lebrun announced that he. intended to find a new Prime Minister by noon. However, elsewhere it is predicted that no .solution is likely for two or three days. M. Blum, in a statement, said: ‘I was. impossible to overcome the decided to resign when I saw that it Senate’s opposition. I appeal to Popular Front members throughout France to maintain complete their claim that the essential transference of power should be carried out calmly and pacifically.

M. CHAUTEMPS INVITED. (Recd. June 22, 8 a.m.) PARIS, June 21. President Le Brun asked the Radical Socialists’ leader, M. Chautemps, to form a Ministry. He reserved his reply until he consults his supporters, and also M. Blum. He will attempt to reconstruct the Popular Front with the Radical Socialists predominant. If he fails, M. Herriot or M. Daladier may be summoned. . M. Blum agreed to use all lus influence while negotiations were proceeding to avert a general strike and financial disorder when the markets open. „• ‘ President Le Brun seeks to give the new Ministry a tilt towards the Left Centro, thus making it more independent of the Communists, to win the confidence of investors.

CABINET COMPLETED. (Recd. June 22, Noon.) LONDON. June 21. The British United Press says it is understood that M. Chautemps has completed his Cabinet. He will see President Le Brun later in the day. GERMAN PRESS OPINION. BERLIN, June 22,, ■ The Press considers that M. Blums resignation was long overdue. which considered it would not last twenty-four hours. The struggle would be long, but if the non-Spanish fighters were removed from the combat it would not last a month. REBEL PROGRESS. HENDAY, June 21. The rebels occupied Portugalete, also the suburbs of Sesta Santurgo. GOVERNMENT CLAIMS.

(Recd. June 22. 10.30 a.m.) . .MADRID, June 21

The fall of Bilbao , was announced in a. curt, communique which merely said the Basques had fallen back in good order to positions westward. VALENCIA, June 21.

Senor Negrin told the diplomats at a recent meeting that Spain would shortly have a regular army tour times the size claimed for the insurgents, including their Moors, Italians and Germans. The Barcelona war factories had immensely inci eased production. REBEL POST MINED. (Received Juno 22, 2.39 p.ni.) LONDON. June 21. A Madrid message says that Loyalists exploded three mines under the clinical hospital. University City, in which long isolated detachments oi rebels had maintained a stubborn defence. The explosion wrecked havoc, the Government claiming that between •l()0 and 750 rebels were annihilated.

HUSH BRIGADE'S RETURN

(Received June 22. Noon)

LONDON. June 21

While the Mocambique. convoying O’Duffv’s Irish Brigade, was berthed at a Dublin Quay, the crowds sang. “Faith of Our Fathers." after which the police arrested nine members of the contingent for unlawful possession of arms.