France Drifting Into Critical Situation

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 132, 7 June 1935, Page 7

France Drifting Into Critical Situation

All Attempts to Form Ministry Fail Desperate Financial Position Revealed r Fears of Serious Disorder Uuited Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. i .Received Thursday, 9.50 p.m. PARIS, June 6. The process of sifting ex-members of Cabinet for a possible new leader continues while the situation becomes more critical. M. Jeanneney excused himself for health reasons and M. Laval abandoned his attempt to form a Cabinet because the Radicals would not agree by a sufficient majority to support his proposal to limit the plenary powers to the defence of the franc. President Lebrun then consulted with M. lierriot who departed to the sound of Radicals, declaring that he was only on tile threshold of his task. The failure of his quest proved the truth of the observation. The Socialists in the meantime issued a manifesto condemning the plenary powers and demanding the nationalisation of key industries and possibly the Bank of France, the dissolution of semi-military leagues, and the dissolution of the Chamber -with a view to an election on the basis of proportional representation. The Radicals, whose objective is a Radical-Socialist-Left cartel Government, but whose Left Wing under M. Daladier revolted against M. Herriot, met and considered the manifesto. The cartel combination appears condemned before trial, the Left groups having found many Socialist points unacceptable. This led to an impasse which seems to clear the path for the Corsican, M. Pietri, ex-minister for Marine and Finance, who is the latest to accept the invitation to form a Cabinet. lie also demands plenary powers, but is unlikely to complete his consultations before Friday. He will, if successful, be Premiei and Finance Minister. The police dispersed a Royalist demonstration and arrested eight. A gang of unknown men smashed the windows of the Petit Journal which champions devaluation and also attacked tic Masonic headquarters.