FRENCH ELECTIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 21

FRENCH ELECTIONS

LEFTS IN THE MAJORITY. PARIS, May 12. The returns are complete, except for the colonies and one of the Nord departments, while there will be four seconi ballots. Results:

The results indicate that while Pail?, is loyal to 11. Poincare, the Left swept the country. May 14. The official checking of the votes revealed a miscount in one of the Seine constituencies, with the result that a Communist is returned instead of a Poincarist. the franc affected. PARIS, May 12. M. Fabry (Minister for the Colon l ;s) M. Painleve (ex-Premier), and Cachin (Communist Leader) are among those elected to the Chamber; while M. Sadi Le Cointe (the aviator), M. Worth (head of the famous dressmaking firm), M. Philippe Barres, and his son Maurice are among the defeated. A rough division of parties shows that 133 members of the Right have been elected—namely, the Conservatives and more moderate Republicans, Left Republicans, and Dissident Radicals—while 168 members of the Left have been elected —namely, Radical Socialists, Republican Socialists, Unified Socialists, and Communists. The Right Party had 26 gains and 130 losses showing a net loss of 104. The Left Party won 97 seats and lost 19, showing a net gain of 17 (?). M. Peret (President of the Chamber) was re-elected. The franc dropped to 78 to the £l, but recovered to 76.45. The decline is chiefly attributed to the election results. M. POINCARE’S DEFEAT. LONDON, May 13. The landslide of M. Poincare’s electoral hopes astonished Briton and Frenchman alike. It is admitted that the cost of living and the ever-mounting taxation largely explain Sunday’s vote, the Frenchmen clutching at the experts’ report in the belief that it justifies the stopping of the heavy expenditure on the Ruhr. Mr Lloyd George, at the National Liberal Club, said the French election result had significance for Great Britain. He hoped and believed that it would conduce to a large extent to the pacification of the world. The result had been won by unity and action against great odds, and contained a lesson for British Liberalism. Later Paris messages point out that the three possible Premiers are M. Briand, M. Painleve, and M. Herriot. The lastnamed is not a strong character, though the nominal head of the Left Bloc during the election. The defeat of M. Poincare also harms M. Millerand, who has not been content to be the constitutional figurehead, but was most active in settling the lines of French policy. M. Millerand has hitherto refused to work with the Cabinet of the Left Bloc. There are some who question whether M. Poincare mav not step into M. Mill erand’s shoes at the Elysee. The Radical Socialists approve cf Germany paying reparations, but desire the League of Nations to secure ultimate peace. They are strongly anti-Catholic, and say: “ Tax the rich, leave the poor alone.” The Radicals have been lavish in promises, and are pledged to concede 1800 francs a year extra to all Government employees. This makes economy very difficult. The Radicals also have promised the complete reconstruction of the devastated areas, and to bring in a new Pensions Bill. There are already three prophecies that the franc will be at 100 in July. 'I he difficulties of the Left Bloc will Oegir. when it tries to form a Ministry, ft is necessary, however, to await complete results before till- actual situation is clear. ALL THE MINISTERS RETURNED PARIS, May 13. All the Ministers who sought re-electicvn have been returned. The united Left will have a majority of 22 over all other groups. M. Poincare will resign on June 1. THE REPARATIONS POLICY. LONDON, May 13. It is semiofficially stated that the experts’ plan will probably remain the basis of the French reparations policy, and, even if M. Poincare ceases to direct F rench public affairs, his successor is unlikely to abandon altogether the policy of the present Premier. FOREIGN POLICY NOT AFFECTED PARIS, May 13. The newspapers generally consider that, while the swing to the Left may have some influence on France’s domestic policy, it is extremely improbable that it will affect her foreign policy. They stress the success of the Socialists, contrasted with the small gains of the Communists. The papers express the opinion that the main issue of the election was the high cost of living and the new taxation. Le Journal recalls that many members of the Left Party declared themselves partisans of M. Poincare’s foreign policy. Le Matin thinks M. Poincare could find * majority, but it is of opinion that it

would be more normal if the victorious parties should assume office. M. iardieu, who was himself beaten, writing in the Echo National, blames the Moderates for their own defeat, saying that they did not show enough fight. Ihe Communist paper Humanite declares that disillusion will rapidly follow the advent of the Radical Socialist, M. Herriot, and the Socialist, M. Renaudel. The Communists will immediately demand a full amnesty and the evacuation of the Ruhr, recognition of the Soviet, and the abolition of taxation schemes. Ihe Radical paper Era Nouvelle says the election shows France's desire for peace. The new Chamber will certainly be inclined towards conciliation, but this must find a counterpart in Germany. The paper urges the necessity for Germany rapidly fulfilling the Experts’ Committee’s recommendations. Ex-Premier Painleve, the Radical Socialist, interviewed, explaining the attitude cf the Left Bloc, stressed France’s desire for peace based on the principle of reparation. Bad faith on the part of Germany will have for her the most disastrous consequences. Europe could only enjoy a peaceful future ii good-will and conciliation on the part of France met with goodwill and continued execution of her obligations on tliri part of Germany. It is understood that M. Poincare has decided not to go to Chequers. GERMAN PRESS CAUTIOUS, BERLIN, May 13. Ihe German press is cautious in its comment on M. Poincare’s defeat. Ihe Tageblatt rejoices over the downfall of a statesman who fought Germany two years with nigger-like hate and implacability. The Vowaerts advises German workers not to imagine that the new French Government will evacuate the Ruhr. FINANCE STABLE IN U.S.A. NEW YORK, May 14. Despite the political upheaval in France exchanges have been showing a remarkable stability, with a decided upward tendency. Sterling has reached 4.36 J, and the franc 5 9-lOthsf, the latter being approximately the price which existed before the French elections somewhat disturbed the equanimity of the market, Observers explain the paradox by pointing out that the spokesmen of the party which is succeeding M. Poincare are frankly pledging themselves to adhere to the Dawes plan, whereas M. Poincare’s espousal of it seemed half-hearted. Furthermore, the Germans are apparently cherishing fewer illusions regarding the possibility of escaping payments, and some of the leaders express their eagerness to restore a semblance of financial order, through a perhaps imperfect but popular plan. THE REPARATIONS QUESTION. PARIS. May 15. M. Poincare has sent a long private and cordial letter to Mr Ramsay MacDonald expressing regret that he will be unable to proceed to Chequers Court as arranged. He expressed the opinion that Allied agreement on the reparations question was perfectly realistic on the basis ot the experts’ report.

LEFT. Radicals and Radical Socialists 127 Republican Socialists 39 Socialists 101 Communists 29 Total 296 RIGHT. Conservatives 11 Moderate Republicans 137 Left Republicans 92 Independent Radicals 34 Total 271