SENSATION IN FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18790, 26 May 1923, Page 5

SENSATION IN FRANCE

PARIS, May 24. 1 ne trial of Deputy Marcel Cachin |f and other Communists, on charges of treason, had a most sensational result. Owing to the fear of Com munist manifestations at the opening trial to-day, a large number of gendarmes were posted in the courtyard of the Senate and neighbouring streets. There were no incidents outside, but when the Senate resolved itself into a High Court of Justice, it was decided, by a large majority, that it was not within the competence of such a court to try Marcel Cachin, Monmonshean and 19 other Communists charged with acting against the internal safety of the State. M. Poincare handed the Cabinet’s resignation to President Millerand. Re&eived May 25, 9.15 p.m. PARIS, May 24. M. Poincare tendered President Millerand the resignations of himself and the collective Cabinet, but, at M. Millerand’s request, withdrew them. M. Colrat, Minister of Justice, interviewed, said when he heard of the decision of the High Court he went immediately to M. Poincare and offered his resignation, feeling that as Minister responsible for the prosecution of the Communists, he could no longer remain a member of the Government. M. Poincare did not accept this resignation, declaring that all members of Cabinet were equally responsible, and they would resign in a body, as the decision would prevent the Government continuing its policy regarding Communists. The Ministers went to the Elysee, where M. Millerand prevailed upon M. Poincare to withdraw. Despite his original determination, M. ColTat remains in the Government, which will now consider a course of I | action. I M. Millerand was giving a ball at the Elysee in celebration of the Pas-

CABINET RESIGNS EN BLOC OUTCOME OF COMMUNISTS' TRIAL RESIGNATION WITHDRAWN AT PRESIDENT’S REQUEST The trial of French Communist members of the Chamber of Deputies had a sensational sequel. The Deputies were impeached for visiting Essen before the Ruhr, occupation and discussing with German Communists the declaration of a general strike in France in the event of force being used against Germany. The Senate’s refusal to try the Deputies came as a bombshell to the Cabinet, which immediately resigned as a body.. Subsequently, however, on the appeal of the President, the resignation was withdrawn. It is understood the Communists will be tried in the Assize Courts.

teur centenary when M. Poincare and other Ministers arrived. The decision of the Government to refer the trial of the Communists to the Senate as an extraordinarjCourt of Justice was only arrived at after long deliberation. M. Cachin, as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, enjoyed immunity from arrest, but this was voted away in January by a large majority. He, by virtue of his former position, was allowed a seat in the gallery of the Senate. Ths other accused men were not present. The Senate, after the reading of a voluminous indictment, immediately proceeded to the consideration of whether the circumstances justified the Senate constituting itself a High Court for the purpose of trying the accused men. The decision refusing to do so came as a bombshell in Government circles. In some quarters the decision is attributed to the Senate’s resentment against M. Poincare for having on the previous day compelled it to pass the Summer Time Bill by making the question one of confidence in the Government. THE COMMUNISTS’ REAL OBJECTIVE. It is understood the Communists will be tried in the Assize Courts. The indictment alleges that the delegation of Communists, including M. Cachin, went to Essen before the Ruhr occupation to confer with German Communists, and discussed the declaration of a general strike in France in the event of force being applied to Germany. After narrating a variety of other activities of the accused, the indictment says the Ruhr was only a pretext for an attempted revolution. The Communists sought to take ad vantage of France’s difficulties to destroy the whole social order.