FRENCH MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 5

FRENCH MINISTRY

BERLIN PAPERS’ COMMENTS ON ITS FALL

POLICY TOWARDS GERMANY By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. Berlin, January 13. The hopes and fears of Germany are reflected in the comments ou the fall of the French Ministry. The papers discuss the possible new phase of the French post-war policy. The reactionary organs express the opinion that . the Chamber wants a stronger man than M. Leygues to tackle Britain and Italy on the question of German disarmament, and expect a harsher policy towards Germany. The Socialist papers believe that France's financial difficulties will compel her to approach Germany with a view to reaching an economic and ultimately a political understanding.—Reuter.

M. PERET FAILS TO FORM A CABINET

Paris, January 14.

M. Peret, President of the Chamber of Deputies (whose speech was reported no have been largely responsible for the vote which put M. Leygues out of office) has undertaken to form a' Cabinet. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Rec. January ,16, 5.5 p.m. Paris, January 15. «

M. Peret failed to form a Cabinet. The President has asked M. Briand to undertake the task. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CABINET ARRANGED BY M. BRIAND

(Reo. January 16, 11 p.m.)

Paris, January 15.

M. Perefs failure to form a Govern ment was due to M. Poincare and M. Briand each desiring the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. He with regret _ advised the President to invite M. Briand to form a Cabinet. M. Briand has arranged a Cabinet, including M. Barthou •as Minister of War.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Rec. January 17, 0.45 a.m.) Paris, January 16.

The new Ministry includes M. Doumer, Minister of Finance, and M. Sarraut. Minister of the Colonies. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

M. BRIAND’S POLICY OF MODERATION. '

(Reo. January 17. 0.45 a.m.) London, January 16. . The "Observer,” in a later edition, ' states that M. Briand represents a policy of moderation and reasonableness.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH VIEW 0F THE CRISIS DANGER OF INSISTENCE ON TREATY RIGHTS. (Rec. January 16, 11 p.m.) London January 15. The “Observer" states that the British Government takes an extremely grave view of the French crisis. The position has recently been better than for many months. The Governments at Berlin, Paris, and London were each disposed to settle the outstanding legacies of the Treaty of Versailles in a reasonable spirit. It is now feared that the vote of the Chamber of Deputies indicates the stiffening of the French l demands on Germany. It is no exaggeration to say that M. Poincare's sabotage has again imperilled the Entente. After quoting Mr. Lloyd George's interview with the London correspondent 'of the “Petit Parisian” last November, especially the reference to the necessity of investigating and estimating what Germany was able to pay and then fixing the amount, the "Observer” says that France decided to act on this principle, but now on the eve of its realisation the Government ’hag been, defeated by extremists who are blind to the imminent dangers. The paper adds: —"The British Government has requested the postponement of Wednesday’s conference until the exact issue of the French crisis is known. Mr. Lloyd George is fully determined to point out that a return by France to an unbending insistence on the literal Treaty rights in the interests of French • financiers would gravely menace Europe, and the Entente.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [Mr. Lloyd George, who was interviewed with the purpose of removing the unfavourable impression in France regarding Britain s attitude towards * Germany, , declared that Britain would stand shoutder to shoulder with France in exacting reparations from Germany. The Premier stated: "The French. must not think J have become their enemy because I pursue a business course. It is necessary to investigate and ascertain how mueu Germany can pay before fixing the amount."]

THP. “POUND OF FLESH” INTERPRETATION. (Rec. January 17, 0.45 a.m.) , London, January 16. The ‘ Sunday Times” Paris correpondent states that M. Poincare represented. the “pound of flesh” interpretation of the Treaty, but the much more moderate men, M. Millerand and M. Legues, found it necessary to curtail even their programme in view of the opposition of the Allies. The unreason- , able adherence to M, Poincare’s policy might expose France to that isolation for which Germany longs.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.