FRENCH CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 201, 26 July 1926, Page 7

FRENCH CRISIS

THE NEW CABINET. SIX EX-PREMIERS INCLUDED. SURPRISE AT M. HERRIOT’S INCLUSION. [By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] . LONDON, July .24. The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent reports that when M. Poincare visited M. Herriot yesterday morning, the latter was in the depths of de- i pression and humiliation. He regard- i ed himself as a martyr of public, life' and welcomed M. Poincare’s offer as’ carrying with it a kind of moral rehabilitation. Another account says that the superstitious may observe that France’s now Ministry number 13, but this does not appear to affect the favourable reception of the Cabinet, which seems to possess, as none have done recently, elements which should win the confidence of the country and Parliament. M. Poincare’s success is bringing together, not only men from the diverse groups represented, but also political antagonists of such recent date , as MM. Briand and Hei*riot, which constitutes a real triumph. It indicates readiness on their part to sink differences, political and personal. The Ministry will appear in the Chamber on Tuesday, wlien finailcial proposals will bo tabled. Nothing is known at present concerning these. It was originally intended to limit the Ministry to five or six members, but events forced M. Poincare’s hand and* lie finally found himself obliged to provide for wider representation in order to secure a greater measure of support. : Naturally, the greatest surprise was the inclusion of M. Herriot as Minister of Education. While M. Poincare is anxious that his own return to power should not be regarded as revenge for the victory of the Cartel at the elections ten years ago M. Herriot in turn explains that on being asked to participate in the attempt to secure national union he felt that he could not endanger success by a refusal. Certainly, as the Morning Post’s Paris correspondent says, never since the war has such a motley group been gathered under one umbrella. The Cabinet includes six ex-Premiers. * The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that British official circles feel keen satisfaction that Mf Briand retains the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. This, it is believed, augurs well for Germany’s admission to the League of Nations in September, and for the fate of the Locarno Pact.—A, and N.Z. cable. FINANCIAL SITUATION. POSSIBILITY oF”FEATHERING THE STORM. PARIS, July 24. Few Cabinets hare received such a general blessing as that bestowed by the morning newspapers on M. Poincare’s administration, which is being called popularly “The Ministry of the Franc.” There is a general sigh of relief that a Government has at last been formed which looks like weathering the storm and solving the financial situation.

Politics are for the moment forgotten. except for a few minor criticisms, suen as the inclusion of MM. Herriot and Painleve in the Cabinet. Opinion, however, is nowise unanimous in forecasting the Government’s financial programme. The most startling, “intention” in this connection is that, attributed to M. Poincare by the nwespaper Lo Journal. This is what he intends to ask Parliament to agree to prorogation for two years, during which the Government will legislate by _ decree, the Premier’s argument being that the trouble of the franc cannot be cured overnight and that it needs three or four years’ complete rest and relief from political strife. Tli Council of Ministes has issued a pressing appeal to the public to pay this year’s taxes immediately, without waiting for the customary notices.— Reuter. WEEK OF EXCITEMENT. FOREIGNERS~MOLESTED. PARIS, July 24. This has been a week of the most' intense excitement in France. The frenzy has not been so apparent, however, since the formation of the Poincare Ministry. The rush of the populace to gather in- goods a.nd clothes before they reached prohibitive prices has practically ceased, but the large warehouses are still withholding goods... Resentment against foreigners, who are blindly blamed for all France’s ills, continues unabated. As a matter of fact, the hooting of charabancs loaded with tourists has become a favourite pastime. At first these demonstrations occurred when cars were touring Montmartre, hut now they have spread practically throughout the city. An ugly incident occurred when a tom-ing car collided with a taxi in the main boulevard. The crowd stormed around, jeering the occupants of the car. Two Englishmen who were passing tried to quiten the mob, but were attacked with stones and walking sticks and compelled to run. Americans are chiefly subject to the peculiar French anger, but Englishmen also find their presence strongly resented. The ordinary Frenchman, tajks wildly about the rise of the pouhd instead of the dollar when seized with his daily fit of hatred.—A. and N.Z. cable. RECOVERY OF FRANC. LONDON, July 24. The French frano opened at 202 to £l, and closed at 197.76. The Belgian franc closed at 193.60.—Reuter.