CHAOS IN FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19596, 7 June 1935, Page 5

CHAOS IN FRANCE

THE SITUATION CRITICAL

INVITATION TO FORM CABINET.

ACCEPTED BY M. PIETRI

United rrcss Assn. —Elec. Tel. Coo./rITDt. PARIS, June 6. It was announced last evening that M. Laval had undertaken to form a new Ministry, but the situation has changed again to-day, and the process of sifting former members of the Cabinet for a possible ,new leader continues, while the situation becomes more and more, oritlcal, M. Jeannenay excused himself from accepting the Prime Ministership for health reasons. M. Laval abandoned Ills attempt to form a 'Cabinet 'because the Radicals did not agree by a sufficient majority to support his proposal to limit the plenary powers of the Government to the defence of the franc. The President, M. Lebrun, then ■consulted M. Harriot, who departed to

sound the Radicals, declaring that he was only on the threshold of his task. The failure of his quest proved the truth of his observation. Socialists’ Manifesto, The Socialists, meanwhile, issued a manifesto condemning the proposal to give plenary powers to the Government and demanding the nationalisation of the key industries, and possibly of the Bank of France, the dissolution of isemi-military leagues and the dissolution of the Chamber with a view to an election on a basis of proportional representation. The Radicals, whose objective is a Radical-Socialist Left Cartel Government, but whose Left Wing, under M. Daladler, revolted against M. Ilerriot, met and considered the manifesto. The cartel combination appeared to have been condemned before trial, the Left groups having found many of the Socialists’ points unacceptable.

Possible Prime Minister.

This led to an impasse, which seems to have cleared the path for the Corsican, M. Pietri, formerly Minister of Marine and Finance, who is the latest to accept an invitation to form a Cabinet. 'He also demands plenary powers, and is not likely to complete his consultations before Friday. If he is successful he will be Prime Minister and- Finance Minister.

THE FIERY CROSS. DEMONSTRATION IN PARIS. "DOWN WITH PARLIAMENT I" United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. PARIS, June 6. Columns of motor-cars filled with ex-soldiers, now members of the Fiery Cross organisation, which is Fascist, are on the way to Paris from Cambrai and other places. The intention is to make a_ demonstration to-day. The police fear that clashes will occur. Mohs paraded the boulevards last night shouting: "Down with Parliament" and “To the gallows with the deputies." There were frequent conflicts with the police before the mob was dispersed. The police also broke up a Royalist demonstration and arrested eight of the demonstrators. A gang of unknown men broke windows at the office of Le Petit Journal, which champions devaluation and also attacked the Masonic headquarters.

THE TREASURY’S DIFFICULTIES

LACK'S READY CASH

YET NEEDS £200,000,000. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, June 6. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says the French Treasury lacks ready money, yet the Oovernmenl must secure £200,000,000 before January I, 1930, for urgent expenditure. Moreover heavy commitments for June 15 must be faced within the next few days. In that connection M. Laval consulted financial experts. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Herald slates that M. Flannery, Governor of the Rank of France, in an interview with M. Laval, said Rial only if the new Government was prepared to adopt a programme of drastic economics would the battle rediscount the Treasury hills due on June J 5. Tim Treasury then would lie empty, a Ihiatu'ial panic would ensue and It would lie clear lo llie public Rial. Ihe Rovermuenl was responsible for Hie disaster.

Radicals Refuse 3upport. When llie Radicals learned of this ultimatum and gathered that M in next, column.).

Laval’s only chance of forming a Government was to accede to the hank’s demands they refused to give him their support. M. Laval's reply was lo tell M. Lebrun he was not able to form a Cabinet. In the meantime the parties of the Left, ranging from the Radicals to the Comunisls, also became aware of the issue between the hank and Parliament.

UNABLE TO FORM CABINET.

M. PIETRI’S ATTEMPT. AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 7, 11.0 a.m.) PARIS, Juno G. M. Pie lri attempted to form a Cabinet, but later stated that he was unable to do so.

FORMINQ A CABINET. M. LAVAL TRYING AGAIN. other PARTIES REFUSE. United Press \?sn.—Elec. TG. Copyright. (Received June 7,2 p.m.) PARIS, June G. M. Lava! lias again undertaken to form a Cabinet- only ul’ler the Radicals, M Rerriul. and M. Hollies had declined. A former member of Hie Cabinet, MHenoull. has been acquitted on a charge of bribery in connection with the Stavisky affair.