The Waikato Times SATURDAY; June 8 1935. WILL FRANCE GO FASCIST?

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 6

The Waikato Times SATURDAY; June 8 1935. WILL FRANCE GO FASCIST?

France is in the throes of a cm» f mogmUtde follows government in rapid succession, for as soon as pol® revealed for dealing with an urgent and cxtr.ordm.ry flnanc.l ation, the framers are ousted from the Treasury Benches. The party system, as it is understood in British countries, does not exist in France. The Chamber of Deputies is composed representatives of many groups, which are so easily s y and thither by gusts of popular feeling that any promise is almost impossible. When it was announced a few days ago that M. Flandin had nailed his colours to the mast against devaluation of thei ourren y, entailing national economies and salary reductions, he P . J.. dismissed from office. His successor was not afforded opportamty to do anything. He was given a vote of confidence upon assuming office, but a few hours later was forced to tender his resignatm After several futile efforts another Cabinet has been formed by M. Laval. It has yet to submit its proposals.

Some time ago Sir John Simon was invited to Paris to deliver an address on the British Parliamentary system, which it was saicl France was anxious to adopt. Nothing eventuated from a visi, because the temperaments of the respective peoples are not the same, and France has continued upon her own course.

There are indications that the collapse of the present system is approaching. Cries of “Down with Parliament! To the 0 a ows with the Deputies!” portend an ominous trend, and in addition it is stated that members of the Fiery Cross organisation are as emn 0 to Paris. The Fiery Cross is a Fascist organisation, and writing last month in Current History Mr Paul Hutchinson, editor of the Christian Century, stated his conviction that the stage was being set in France for the advent of a Fascist Dictator. He said the movement had the backing of the disillusioned French yout s an the exasperated war veterans, who have developed an anti- ar lamentarian and anti-capitalist bias.

The Fascist movement in France is under the control of Colonel de la Rocques, an ideal demagogue, who by his personal magnetism and oratory, has enrolled a force of 300,000, and the ranks are being added to daily. The force is well-equipped, fully armed, and possesses an air adjunct of 80 fighting planes. When Monsieur Doumergue formed his Cabinet he deemed it advisable to seek the good offices of the Colonel, whose slogan is “ Take France away from the politicians and give it to the French people,” and when Doumergue was defeated and resigned the Fascist leader publicly lamented that he had not called the resources of the Fiery Cross organisation to his support. He declared it was ready for action.

The Socialists and Communists recognise the possibility of a Fascist uprising, and have declared that should it occur it will be met with armed resistance, and this declaration has had the effect of strengthening the ranks of the Fascists by the enrolment of those who prefer to contemplate a Fascist regime to Communist domination.

Affairs in France are undoubtedly heading towards a climax, for discontent is widespread and general and, ns an American correspondent declares: “ The French people as a whole are psychologically unprepared to endure a long depression without reactions in one direction or another.”

Affairs in France are in the balance. Which way will the beam tip?