WILD SCENES

Southland Times, Issue 19823, 20 March 1926, Page 7

WILD SCENES

THE FRENCH CHAMBER CABINET MEMBER FAINTS M. BRIAND SHOUTED DOWN. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 19. M. Briand read a declaration in which he said the Government, owing to the necessity of resuming the financial debate soon, would only accept for immediate discussion an interpolation on the composition of the Cabinet. This was accepted without division, but the Chamber was soon feverishly excited by a Royalist deputy’s criticisms of M. Malvy, whom M. Briand stoutly defended till the din of protests from the Right obliged the Premier to resume his seat. Subsequently as a result of M. Herriot’s appeal to the Chamber, M. Briand proceeded. He claimed that an agreement had been achieved at Geneva and urged the necessity of voting funds. He concluded, “If you intend to overthrow the Government, do it immediately.” The Rightist, M. Barillet again, attacked M. Malvy whom he charged with having on his hands the blood of men shot for disobeying orders in 1917, who were led astray by M. Malvy’s defeated campaign. M. Malvy sprang to his feet and passionately protested. He appealed to M. Briand to allow him to resign if he was a hindrance to the Cabinet. “I am not a coward,” interjected M. Briand. M. Malvy then collapsed and fainted and was carried out amid intense excitement. The sitting was temporarily suspended.—A. & N.Z. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE CARRIED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 18. The Chamber carried a vote of confidence in M. Briand’s new ministry by 360 votes to 164.—A. & N.Z.