FRENCH CABINET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 10

FRENCH CABINET

FEARS OF A CRISIS M. TARDIEU'S CHARGES MINISTERS IN QUANDARY PREMIER'S PRESENCE WANTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 22,'5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 21 Tho French Cabinet at a special meeting to-day considered M. Tardieu's charges against M. Chantemps, and decided that only a Cabinet meeting- at which the Premier, M. Doumergue, prosided, would be qualified to make necessary decisions. Tho Premier lias been asked to return to Paris to attend a meeting early next week. ( It is regarded as possible that MM. Tardieu and Herriot will resign.

It is not yet known whether M. Doumergue will return on Tuesday. Tho whole press is unanimous in hailing him as the country's arbiter.

Opinions differ regarding the prospects. Some fear a collapse of the Cabinet and others are confident about the settlement of the quarrel and the maintenance of tho party truce.

There were dramatic scenes on July 18 at a sitting of the Commission which is investigating the Stavisky scandal, when the former Premiers, MM. Tardieu and Chautemps confronted each other. M. Tardieu summed up his accusations by saying he was convinced that M. Chautemps, both as a deputy and as Premier, knew about Stavisky's operations over a period of 10 years. M. Chautemps retorted that the charges were false and absurd. The tone of both men became violent.

It was regarded as certain that a Cabinet crisis would have' ensued had Parliament been in session, but it was believed that the Premier, M. Doumergue. who, before his holiday, realised the gravity of the situation, would be able to smooth over the difficulties. It was thought that M. Tardieu was anxious to force a dissolution in the autumn.