POINCARE TO GO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 12

POINCARE TO GO.

WILL RESIGN ON JUNE 1. HIS GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. By Teleeraph Press A esnciation—Copyright Rente*’** Tel esjr (Received May It. 9.4 0 a.m 1 PARIS, May 13. M. Poincare will resign on Juno 1. MORE THAN DEFEATED. COMMENT ON THE RESULT. Bv Telegi’aph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. 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 evevmounting rtnxation largely explain Sunday’s vote. Frenchmen clutching at the Experts’ Report in the belief that it justifies stopping heavy expenditure on the Ruhr. Mr Lloyd George, at the National Liberal Chib, said the French election result had significance for Britain. He hoped and believed it would conduce t 8 a large extent to a pacification of the world. The result had been won by unity and action against great odds, and contained a lesson lor Britisli Liberalism.

Later Paris messages point out, that the three possible Premiers are M. Briant, M. Painlere. and M. Herrick. The last—named is not 6f strong charurter. though he was the nominal head of the Laft. bloc during the election. The defiant. of M. Poincare also

* harms M. Millerand, who lias not been j content to be the constitutional figure- j head, but has been mftst active in j settling the lines of French policy. M. Millerand hitherto had refused to work \ with a Cabinet of the Left bloc. There is some question whether M. I'oir.caro may step into Al. Aiillerand\s shoes. The Radical Socialists approve of Germany paying reparations, but desire the League of Nations to secure ultimai»3 peace. They are strongly anti-Catholic, and say ‘Tax the rich, and leave the poor jdone.” The have been lavish in their promises, and are pledged to concede eighteen hundred francs a year extra to all Government employees. This makes economy very difficult. The Radicals also have promised 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 a hundred in July. The difficulties of the Lett bloc will begin when it tries t-o form a Ministry, but it will be necessary to await the complete results before the actual situation is clear. The “Daily Telegraph” editorially remarks :—“The position is awkward for both M. Poincare and Mr MacDonald/ M. Poincare’may be in office on Ma\ r 19, but lie will not be in The “Daily Express” says:—“M. Poincare has been more than defeated —he has been washed away. The only question is whether he will resign immediately or wait until the new Chamber meets on June 1.” The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” says:—“No one was more astonished at the result of the French elections than M. Poincare himself. Only a vestige of his former political power and prestige remains to the man who yesterday aspired to be a dictator.” The “Daily Herald” states:—“The results are magnificent. It is a vicfor good sense and better international relations ” The “Morning Post” remarks M. Poincare, as is assumed, visits Mr MacDonald, he will he in much the same position. M. Poincare will re- * present the Chamber but it will not have assembled. It is difficult in the circumstances to see how the interview can be decisive, even admitting the view that the change of Government may not involve a change of policy.”

THE FINAL RESULTS, by Telegraph—Pre«* Association—Copyright Better's Telegrams. PARIS, May 13. The returns are complete except for the colonies anrl one Nord department. There will be four second ballots. The. results give the Reft 296 seats, namely : Radicals and Radical Socialists 127 Republican Socialists . . . 3<> Socialists . . . .101 Communists ... 29 The | Right has secured 274 seats, as follow : Conservatives . . . .11 Moderate Republicans . . 137 Reft Republicans s . - 02 Independent Radicals . . .34 The results indicate that wliil.* Paris was loyal to Poincare the Reft s# ept the country. The question on all lips’ is when will M. Poincare re'The Governmeut organ <r Intrans.goant ” admits a.majority in the next Chamber of Radical Socialists and Socialists avid says that M. Poincare is unlikely to resign until the Chamber meets, when his resignation will be automatic. M. Brian or M. Herrioc will probably he invited -to form a Cabinet The Reft Press also demands the resignation of President Millernml, owing to bis close identification with M. Poincare’s policy and the fact, that he bad been represented as taking a more direct part in politics than is customary for the President. According to the best information, however, a presidential crisis is un ikely. The Reft newspapers are jubilant.

“Le Soir ” declares: “ Tbe National Bloc is dead. It is the duty of M. Poincare and M. Milleraud to go.” AN UNSTABLE POSITION. Router's Telegrams. PARIS, May 13 AH the Ministers who sougnt reelection were returned. The united Rett parties have a majority of tweutj’-two over all the other groups. • The newspapers emphasise the vulnerability el any Government based on such a narrow majority without a common constttietive and whose onlypoint of cohesion is opposition to tue bloc. A nation-wide. field lor speculation has been opened by the suggestion that in order to safeguard its chance of suiviva. tlie new Government must secure the support of toe flight centre groups and lorm a coalition, though with a comiderablv more Lett eb.upiexioti than M. Poincares GovernGabinot will meet to-morrow to discuss questions aiising out of the elections. rotsbly whether M. Poincare will resign immediately or await the assembly ol Parliament, and thereby keep ln-> engagement at Chequers tor May 19. GERMAN PRESS ELATED. Reuters Telegram--. BERLIN. May 13. ! The Press is elated at M. Poincare's i discomfiture, though there is a differ- | cnee of opinion in regard to its effect I on the Ruhr policy.