FALL OF FRENCH CABINET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 17

FALL OF FRENCH CABINET

VETERAN PRIME MINISTER’S BITTER COMPLAINT "DOUBLE MENACE OF RIOTS AND DISSOLUTION " * United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 9, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 8. The French Cabinet, led by M. Gaston Doumergue, has resigned. M. Herriot’s letter containing the resignation, which was signed by M. Herriot, M. Barthou, M. Bertrand and M. Quille, members of Cabinet, strongly attacks the selfishness of the Radicals and says that the party truce could not consist of bowing before the exigencies of a party, which had held complete power from February 6, and subordinating decisions solely to that party’s pleasure. The retiring Prime Minister, M. Doumergue, stated: “At least six Ministers have abandoned me. I cannot govern with a minority. While I do not fear the elections, I consider them inopportune. I do not desire to deliberate under the double menace of riots and dissolution.” The Radicals justify their resignations on the ground that M. Doumergue had not consulted them on vita! reforms. The police have been reinforced in the city, which is comparatively quiet, except for parading bands of students and members of youth organisations, whom the police keep moving. Le Croix de Feu is calm and refrains from meetings and speeches. It will give anyone with a clean political reputation a chance, but there is no guarantee that a hurriedly formed stop-gap Ministry will outlast a few weeks. Lobbyists declare that the pre-truce days of three months’ Cabinets have returned. Patriotic organisations, though they have not mobilised, stand at attention awaiting the events. I’Action Francaise is preparing two demonstrations. To-day’s brief session of the Chamber of Deputies ended with cries from the Left: “Down with the assassins,” and shouts from the Right and the Centre: “Vive Doumergue.” The Cabinet meeting, despite mechanical procedure, did not lack drama, inasmuch as it turned the last page of the last chapter of the public service of “Papa” Doumergue, whose wife quietly awaited him outside his office, while he cleared up papers, preparatory to handing over to his successor.

The President of France, M. Lebrun, asked M. Laval to form a new Cabinet, following the resignation of M. Doumergue, but M. Laval declined. The Prime Ministership was then offered to M. Flandin, who accepted. If successful in forming a Cabinet, M. Flandin will be the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the French Republic. He is 45 years of age and stands 6ft 6in high. Despite the refusal of M. Tardieu and Marshal Petain to join him, M. Flandin hopes to complete the Cabinet of national truce to-night. Marshal Petain assures him of his goodwill. The new Cabinet is officially announced as follows: Prime Minister: M. Flandin. Minister of Foreign Affairs: M. Laval Minister of Finance: M. Germain Martin. Minister of Marine: M. Pietri.

Minister of Air: General Denain. Minister of Colonies: M. Rollin. Minister of Pensions; M. Rivollet. Minister of Justice: M. Pernot. Minister of the Interior: M. Regnier Minister of Education: M. Mallerne. Minister of War: General Maurin. Minister of Public Works: M. Roy. Minister of Commerce: M. March - aneeau. Minister of Agriculture: M. Casses. Minister of Labour: M. Jacquier. Minister of Post Office: M. Mendel. Minister of Mercantile Marine: M. Ibertrand. Minister of Health: M. Queuille. Ministers without portfolios are: M. Herriot and M. Marin. The Cabinet will balance similarly :o M. Doumergue’s. M. Flandin, in announcing the names )f Ministers, said that the truce continues, and the differences have been forgotten.