POLITICS IN FRANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 296, 13 November 1937, Page 9

POLITICS IN FRANCE.

HOPE FOR STABILITY. RADICALS IN CONGRESS. LONDON, Nov. 2. A survey of the French political position after the Radical-Socialist congress at Lille leads one to the conclusion that the position will be stable for a while at any rate. The congress was attended by unusually large numbers of Radicals, whose reactions, contrasted with their reactions last year, point slightly more to the Left. This tendency manifested itself in the unwillingness of the Radicals to pretend that there was any need for an “anti-Red” panic, and in their view that, while the Government was not perfect, it was carrying on commendably, and that influences tainted with Fascism should be suspected. Whereas last year the Radicals generally were non-interventionists, today, as M. Herriot’s speech urging tho Government to act more firmly in its foreign policy indicated, the Radicals are restless a.t the failure of nonintervention. They believe that any attempt to humiliate France must not be allowed. SNAP VOTE FIASCO. Although the cleavage between the Left and Right wings of the party still exists, the Radicals are not ready to shoulder the responsibility of breaking up the Popular Front, as was proved by the snap vote fiasco during the congress, when a resolution was passed condemning the financial policy of the late Blum Government, thereby 'threatening to precipitate the resignation of the present Socialist Ministers, and later another resolution settling the internal differences was carried unanimously. The congress outlined its views on domestic and foreign policy by a resolution which, apart from rejecting Germany’s claims for a return of her colonies, remarked on the need for maintaining Republican discipline and the reciprocal engagements of the Popular Front. It also recorded the hope that the task of social, financial and economic reconstruction would proceed in an atmosphere of legality and conciliation. It described exchange control as a measure “fraught with risks at home and abroad.” Finally, it emphasised the importance of the need for increased production. SOCIALIST ATTITUDE. While the result of the congress may bs said to be a success for the Premier (M. Chautemps), the consequences will be seen shortly at the congress of the Socialist National Council, at which the results of the RadicalSocialist congress will be scrutinised. Nevertheless, if one may judge from the French Press, the Socialist Party will also maintain the Government in office since, like the Radicals, it is not prepared, it seems, to take the responsibility for casting the Government out of office. TT . , There is no doubt that If. Herriot s speech on France’s need for a firmer foreign policy was the most outstanding highlight of the egress. *ome people believe that the speech ’i >ll ■ directly affect pohtienl development, i Franc- Some Radicals believe that M Herriot is the only leader likely to succeed M. Chautemps if a Ministerial crisis should develop in the near future. _