NEW FRENCH MINISTRY

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1940, Page 7

NEW FRENCH MINISTRY

M. REYNAUD PREMIER Inner Cabinet Set Up BRITISH EXAMPLE FOLLOWED. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] PARIS, March 20. M. Daladier refused to form a new Cabinet. President Lebrun called in M. Reynaud, who agreed to form a Cabinet. Although it was announced M. Reynaud had agreed to form a Cabinet, it transpires that he reserved the answer to M. Lebrun’s request until tomorrow, to enable him to assess the chances. M. Reynaud is reported to envisage a National Union Cabinet, ranging from Left politicians, like M. Blum, to the Right Wing. M. Daladier is believed to have told M. Lebrun that last night’s vote in the Chamber necessitated the Government’s resignation. The sudden resignation of M. Daladier and his supporters surprised the public. M. Daladier fold a meeting of Radical Socialist Senators and Deputies that he would re-occupy his seat on the party bench, and exert his energies for the defence of the country. The meeting passed a resolution of confidence in M. Daladier.

Recovering from the dramatic impact of the crisis, the public recognised it does not indicate a weakening of the nation’s will for victory. On the contrary, it is interpreted as a sign for a general demand for more energetic conduct of war. The writer of a vigorous article in “Intransigeant” asks why M. Daladier, who is undoubtedly popular and commanded a big following in Parliament, lost power overnight. The answer is the Finnish affair, which aroused the public because Finland’s defeat seemed our defeat. It is no good having new men unless they bring a new policy. The new Government must adopt Mr Clemenceau’s four-word programme “Je Fais La Guerre,” which was often quoted but seldom applied during the last six months.

The Full Cabinet (Received March 22, 7.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 21. M. Reynaud presented the National Union Cabinet to President Lebrun, as follows:— Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs—M. Reynaud (Democratic Alliance Party). Minister of Defence and War Minister.—M. Daladier (Radical Socialist Party). Vice-Premier and Minister of State. —M. Cliautemps (Radical Socialist Party). Minister for Navy.—M. Campinchi (Radical Socialist Party). Minister of Air. —M. Eynac (Radical Socialist Party). Minister of Armaments. —M. Dauntry (no party). Minister of Justice.—M. Serol (Socialist. Minister of Finance.—M. Lamoureux (Radical Socialist). Minister of the Interior.—M. Roy (Radical Socialist). Minister of Commerce.—M. Rollin (Left Republican). Minister for the Colonfes.—M. Mandel (Independent Republican). Minister of Education. —M. Sarraut (Radical Socialist). Minister of Supplies.—M. Queuille (Radical Socialist). Minister of Blockade.—M. Monnet (Socialist Group). Minister of Public Works.—M. Monzie (Socialist Republican Union). Minister of Labour.—M. Pomaret (Socialist Republican Union). Postmaster-General. —M. J’ulien (Radical Socialist). Minister of Information. —M. Frossard (Independent). Minister for the Mercantile Marine. —M. Rio (Radical Socialist). Minister of Health. —M. Heraud (Independent Radical). Minister of Pensions. —M. Riviere (Socialist Group). Minister of Agriculture.—M. Thellier (Independent Radical). PERSONNEL Ob' INNER CABINET (Received March 22, 9.30 p.m.) PARIS March 22.

The new French Ministry has been formed by M. Reynaud (Former Finance Minister). It includes the following:—■ Inner War Cabinet: M. Reynaud, M. Chautemps, M. Daladier, M. Lamoureux, and M. Mandel.

An inter-Ministerilal Economic Council has been formed, similar to Britain’s. It comprises M. amoureux and all of the Ministers dealing with the national economy. There are new portfolios, which are supplies and information. M. Reynaud, in a statement, said that the Ministry numerically was similar to the late “M. Clemenceau’s War Cabinet, but the Inner Cabinet and Economic Council constituted important differences. He added that the Inner Cabinet would meet three times weekly. The Council would meet once weekly.

COMMUNIST ATTEMPTS To Break France’s War Effort PARIS. March 20. The trial has opened of 44 Communist ex-Deputies, charged with illegally attempting to re-organise the Communist Party. Nine of them, who have either fled from France or are in hiding, will later be tried for high treason. Six soldiers with fixed bayonets guarded the dais, on which sat seven uniformed judges and seven assistants. The trial is proceeding. M. Sarraut. in the Senate, revealed the completeness of the anti-Com-munist drive. He said that more than 3400 Communist leaders had been arrested, and 2778 holding official positions had been dismissed. Two papers and 159. publications had ‘been suppressed. and 620 unions and 675 political groups had been dissolved. A total of 8000 search warrants had been issued, and 8000 penalties had been ordered. He added that German planes had been dropping Communistic propaganda over France, and Communistic broadcasters had been sending out German propaganda. I