NEW FRENCH CABINET

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1925, Page 5

NEW FRENCH CABINET

MEETS THE CHAMBER MAJORITY IN FIRST DIVISION. (Received April 22 ar 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, April 21. The French Parliament has assembled with expectations of a, lively character rout ring in the personality of M. Caillaux (lhe new Finance Minister), on whom the Opposition are concentrating an attack, they having giv-n notice oi two interpellations in respect Io the Minister of Finance. There is little chance of the debate ending till late tomorrow. > M. Caillaux was received with mingled hisses and cheers when he entered. The declaration of the Government’s policy was rend by M. Pninleve in the Chamber, and hv M. Steeg in the Senate. The declaration says that the Government is determined to preserve the security of France, and to safeguarl Franco’s equilibrium. The Government. ’•r. its future international negotiations, will pursue a ful’ development of the Dawes Plan, and a settlement of the inter-Allied debts, which now weighs heavily upon French policy, and French credit. There will he reduced expenditure in the budget of 192 C. which will be entirely covered by taxation. It adds: f< Whon the Budget is unquestionably balanced, wo will devote ourselves to relieving the state from the functions of a hanker, which it has exercised too long already. Wo , will then ask for considerable snen- | ficos on the part of the nation, by appealing to the patriotism of all oil- | izens is an atmosphere of national con- | cord. The Government continues faiih- I ful to the Geneva Pact, being the first stop towards a general interna tional pact of peace, based on security, arbitration, and disarmament. Franee will ratify the international Labour Conventions of Washington and Gone The statement concludes: “The seven past-war years have boon a hitter disillusionment to Franco, but her pre sent difficulties should not cause the inexhaustible resources of France to bo lost sight of, nor cause anxiety regarding her future.” The declaration was much interrupt- I od by the Opposition members of the I Right upbraiding C.aillaux and coup ling his name with that of 8010. A vote of confidence in the Government was carried by 214 votes lo 250. VATICAN EMBASSY RETAINED. PARIS, April 22. 'l'hc Ministerial declaration also said that the maintenance of a French ro_ present at ivo at lhe Vatican appeared lo be expedient, and it appealed to Parliament not to re-open this controversy . The Senate did not debate the Government deejatat ion, but ad journed < till the 23rd Inst. The Communist, Man- I Cochin, in t!i‘: Chamber, - moved an interpellation on the Government’s general policy. The Chamber, however, first debated the interpellation lodged by M. Bertrand, on behalf of the ex. Service Group, asking why M. Caillaux was included in the Cabinet. Cheers and loud protests mingled while M. Caillaux himself sat in his Ministerial bench, contemptuously indifferent . M. Betrand read the text of the High Court’s sentence against M. Caillaux for communicating with the enemy, and he heatedly remarked that Franco had not yet arrived at the pas« of having to choose between M. Ca'dianx and bankruptcy. DEFENCE OF CAILLAUX. Premier Pninleve replied quietly. said lie had chosen the best.qualified men to comprise his Cabinet, and he had appointed M. Caillaux to the Ministry of Fin a nee just as he appointed Marshal Foch *nd Marshal Petain to the chief commands in war time. M. Caillaux arose, and at first be--1 rayed some emotion, but ho quickly regained hi s old time incisive accents. Ho said that he. declined to enter into personalities, but he dwelt on the national finances. Confusion, ho said, choked the State Treasury the position of which, without exaggeration, could bo described as serious. He promise! n complete reform in the new Budget, ■showing the. expenditure and the corres pond ; ng taxation. 86 MAJORITY. A recount of the votes on the question of confidence in the Govcrn-m-'iit shows 304 for the Government, an I 21R against. CAILLAUX VAGUE YET. LONDON, April 22. Th< French financial situation re. mains undisclosed. Apparently for a good reason it has not yet been discovered. M. Caillaux gave only a bare idea of his policy when he declared: “I am unable to avoid present inflation; but my desire is not to increase the banks’ advances tn the State.” He proceeded: “There is no question of any kind of consolidation of bonds. That would be veritable bankruptcy.” Finally, ho made it. quite clear that sacrifices would bo demanded. BELAND’S WORD PLAY. A dramatic, incident occurred when. M. Briand, in his speech asked: “What

could bo a better guarantee of security fo- Fiance than a perfect understanding with the Allies?” A military deputy interrupted: “Arc you sure of England?” M. Briand feelingly retorted: “Wo did not have England's signature in 1914, but she was with us all through, an] fought on all our battlefields” (Cheers). M. Briand added: ‘We don’t want lo ilo ruything without our Allies. ” ENGLISH VIEWS. LONDON, April 22. The policy declaration by AL Fainlex e is regarded i’< London ns of th ? vaguest character. Summed up in M. Painlove’s words, it. moans “Give us lime to act —then judge the result!” The “Daily Telegraph” says editorially: “M. Painlcve’s declaration gave only the most shadowy indications of the Ministry’s intentions. His task s to restore the confidence of the investor by the sound management of the nation’s finances, and to check the downward tondoncv of the franc. ' is a Herculean task, involving now and severe taxation, with .-ill the poliiical periL nttondent thereon.'’ LIVELY SCENE IN CHAMBER. LONDON, April ..‘I. The “Daily Express s ” Par : s correspondent says: “Jeers, catcalls, and whistles greeted M. Caillaux’s enfr into the Chamber. From an early hour, a queue awaited admission to the public galleries. Women in striking lownecked, sleeveless dresses struggled for scats. Then they produced their powder puffs and lip sticks, and patiently awaited the great moment. When the Ministers entered, a storm broke loose. The Left cheered. The Right created a great din. Owing to interruptions, it. took M. Painlevo forty-five misutes to read his short statement. When the Light wore not interrupting, the Left turned the Chamber into a bear garden. M. Cochin (Communist) was hooted by the Right. Thon M. Bertrand, who is the champion of the ex-scrvico mon, made a furious onslaught on M. Caillaux, whom ho accused of slipping in by the back door, taking advantage of political amnesty, instead of seeking a retrial. M. Caillaux became livid with anger, but did not intervene in the debate.