FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10113, 22 October 1917, Page 5

FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.

A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE CARRIED PARIS, Oct. 20. A debate took place in the Chamber of Deputies upon an interpellation moved, by the Republicans a nd supported by the Social ists in criticism of the Government s general policy. M. Painleve (Premier), in replying, dwelt upon the difficulties of the Government in regard to the supply of transport and the strikes, lie emphasised the resolution to prosecute the war until Alsace and Lorraine were' restored, and reminded the Chamber that , Lloyd George, for the first time, had officially declared that Britain would stand'beside Franco till Alsace and Lorraine were restored. The Chamber ,carried a vote of confidence in the Government by 368 votes to 95.

PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES. ROME, Oct. 19. In the Chamber of Deputies, Socialist deputies called M. Bissolati, Minister tor War, a renegade, and accused him of interfering with Gardenia's plans by offering to send half a million men to Franco while tin- enemy was threatening Italy. Al. Bissolati declared that the Socialists were causing disaffection, and declared that if the country was endangered, he would not; hesitate to order internal enemies to bo shot. An uproar followed this statement. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME. OTTAWA, Oct. 19. Sir Robert Borden states that the now Government’s programme includes the vigorous prosecution of the war, immediate enforcements of the Military Service Act, extension of the franchise to all women, taxation of war profits, measures to prevent, excessive profits and prohibit hoarding ; also the development of transportation facilities, effective arrangements for Unsettling - of soldiers on the land, and the formation of a War Committee of the Cabinet. A DISASTROUS HURRICANE. ROME, Oct. 19. A hurricane on the 16th and 17th devastated Messina and its environs. Eleven persons perished and railways are disorganised by Hoods. LOYAL SOUTH AFRICANS’. BLOEMFONTEIN, Oct. 20. A representative meeting of natives at Bloemfontein decided to publish a denial of reports llui,t natives of the 1’ reo State are planning to ask for the restoration of their own country. The Government characterises rumours likely to associate the natives with the independence movement as a harmful misrepresentation of the lawful act of collecting evidence for the Lands Committee at .the tequest of the Government.