FRENCH POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 7

FRENCH POLITICS

NEW CABINET’S PROGRAMME. STATEMENT IN THE CHAMBER. Press Association — By Telegraph — Copyrig it. PARIS, June 17. M. Hcrriot delivered bis Ministerial statement in the Chamber of Deputies on lines already indicated. —Reuter. A CONVERSION OPERATION. MILITARY SERVICE SHORTENED. PARIS, June 17. (Received June 18, at 0 p.m.) M. Hcrriot, in the Chamber, foreshadowed an extensive conversion operation. Ho said that active military service would be shortened, though in such a manner that France would never be taken by surprise or enfeebled. —Reuter. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. GERMANY’S GOOD FAITH ESSENTIAL. PARTS, June 17. . M. Doumergue, in a message to Parliament, declares that he is determined to remain an impartial arbitrator above parties. He emphasised the need of calm, order, and peace in order to develop industry and restore prosperity. The absonso of peace was not the fault of F ranee, which fosters no dangerous ambitions, but only desires the payment of reparations and guarantees of security. He considers that tho questu n of reparations seems to bo approaching a final solution, but the debtor must prove his good faith by definite action and a conciliatory spirit. France cannot relax her vigilance or renounce her established position or method of control which the Peace Treaty entitled her to exercrio in Germany, which appears to bo preparing tor war instead of fulfilling her engagements.—Reuter.