APPEAL BY BLUM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 9

APPEAL BY BLUM

National Government Desired INCREASED MILITARY STRENGTH PARIS, March 17. M. Blum, in meeting Parliament, appealed tor the creation ot a isational Government, tie said that he was ready to stand down in favour of a new Prime Minister it it would help in its formation, and he emphasised the need for increasing France’s military strength. He expressed France’s willingness to strengthen her alliances and friendships. He said that he would never admit that the safeguarding of France’s interests on the frontiers was incompatible with the fulfilment of her international commitments. “I took over the Government the day follow’ing an international event which convulsed all Europe and may cause shattering and fearful developments. France must before all guard against the perils of the external situation.” He said that he intended to increase armaments without delay. “We ardently hope that our voice will find the same echo everywhere. During France’s long history she has always known how to rise to meet difficulties and dangers. She will again live, the sepctacle of a strong and courageous nation equal to her history and destiny.” The Ministerial Council authorised an additional defence expenditure of £35,700,000. CONFIDENCE IN BLUM BUT POOR RESPONSE TO APPEAL, i Received March 18, 11.5 p.m. PARIS, March 18. The debate was confined to peeches by M.M. Blum, Flandin, Reynaud, Daladier, and a fev others. The moderates persisted in their refusal to participate in an all-party Government despiste M. Blum’s appeals for a national union, which reached a climax by his declaring, “If we were at war we could achieve unity without difficulty.” The sole response was M. Flandin’s concession that the Oppostion might relent if the Communists renounced their demand for intervention in Spain.

M. Reynaud denied that they sought intervention and declared that help to Spain should be confined to supplies. He urged the Chamber to give M. Blum a unanimous vote which, of course, would compel him to resign in order to form a Government of the national u. ion. M. Daladier, having appealed on behalf of M. Blum, the Chamber passed a vote of confidence in him by 369 to 196.