CRISIS IN FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23223, 22 June 1937, Page 9

CRISIS IN FRANCE

PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS SEQUEL TO OPPOSITION IN SENATE SPECIAL POWERS DECLINED M. BLUM ISSUES APPEAL TO POPULAR FRONT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PARIS, June 21. (Received June 21, at 10 p.m.) Following the rejection by the Senate of his request for special financial powers, M. Blum handed in his resignation as Prime Minister. The Senate was prepared to grant only partial powers. The decision was announced at 2.25 a.m. M. Blum called on President Le Brun. who accepted the Prime Minister’s resignation and' immediatedy embarked on the formation of a new Cabinet. COMPROMISE MEASURE Meanwhile the Chamber of Deputies resumed its sitting. ,M. Herriot announced that the Government had no further communication to make, upon which the Chamber adjourned. The Senate met at 11.30 p.m. and considered the Government’s de- , mand for special financial' powers, which, the Chamber of Deputies had alread conceded, but concerning which a compromise measure was drafted in order to meet the Senate’s objections. , The Senate, after M. Auriol and M. Blum had pleaded the Government’s viewpoint, rejected M. Perrier’s proGovernment amendment to their own proposal by 160 votes to 112. Then the Senate rejected the compromise measure by 168 votes to 96 and voted for its own Bill giving partial powers. THE NEW GOVERNMENT , It is believed that M. Sarraut, M. Chautemps, M. Daladier or M. Herriot may become Prime Minister. It is not expected that the new Government will abandon the character of the Popular Front, but it will probably be more moderate. It is expected that M. Blum will continue Sas Minister of State, M. Daladier as Minister of Defence, and M. Delbos as Foreign Minister.*

President Le Brun announced that he intended to find a Prime Minister by noon. However, elsewhere it is predicted that no solution is likely for two or three days. M. Blum in a statement said: “ I decided to resign when I saw it was impossible to overcome the Senate's opposition. I appeal to the members of the Popular Front throughout France to maintain complete calm. It is essential that the transference of power should be done calmly and pacifically.” SEEKING TO FORM MINISTRY EFFORT TO AVERT GENERAL STRIKE M. BLUM’S CO-OPERATION „ PARIS, June 21. (Received June 22. at -1 a.m.) President Le Brun asked the leader of the Radical Socialists, ,M. Chautemps, to form a Ministry, and M. Chautemps has reserved his reply until he consults his supporters and also M. Blum, who will attempt to reconstruct the Popular Front with Radical Socialists predominant. If M. Cheautemps fails M. Herriot and M. Daladier may be summoned. M. Blum has agreed to use all his influence while the negotiations are proceeding to avert a general strike and financial disorder when v the markets open. M. Le Brun seeks to give the new Ministry a tilt towards the Left Centre, thus making it more independent of the Communists and to win the confidence of investors.

A message from Berlin states that the German press considers M. Blum’s resignation was long overdue. ,