FRENCH POLITICIANS AFRAID DE GAULLE WOULD WIN IF ELECTIONS ARE HELD

Grey River Argus, 31 August 1948, Page 5

FRENCH POLITICIANS AFRAID DE GAULLE WOULD WIN IF ELECTIONS ARE HELD

EX-PREMIER SCHUMAN TRYING TO FORM MINISTRY (Received August 30, at ,10.10 p.m.) ' * ■ LONDON, August 30. The French Cabinet crisis continues. M. Rama : dier, a former Socialist Premier, has failed in an attempt to form a Government. M. Robert Schuman, who was Prime Minister from November 1947 to the middle of July last, and who has now 1 been asked by President Auriol to try and form a Ministry, is considered to have a better chance than M. Ramadier to form a new Government. M. Schuman’s prospects, however, are not regarded as very Strong. “The Times,” London, says: The main French Parties are doubtless convinced, in themselves, of the need for higher production, lower spending and administrative reform, but none of the Parties is willing to join the others in helping to fulfil this need. The “Manchester Guardian” says: The chances of -forming any viable French Government without new elections seems’to be remote. Nevertheless, an election now is a risk that none of the Parties would willingly take, because the most likely victor would be General De Gaulle. The “Daily Mail” expresses the belief that General De Gaulle would be returned on a great popular vote if a general election is held.

Ramadier’s Failure LONDON, August 29. M. Ramadier, a former Premier, has refused an invitation by President Auriol to form a new French Government. M. Auriol continued his talks all day with political party leaders on the formation of a new Government. Mi Ramadier, upon first leaving M. Auriol, said: “France is in very grave danger. We m’/t have courage to demand sacrifice from every Frenchman equally, if we are to find economic stability. We need a strong action Government with complete authority and a steady majority behind it. I will consult the Parliamentary groups, and, if I find goodwill and.a desire to accept a combined effort, .1 will be willing to try”. As the press predicted, M. Ramadier found'he could not secure the support of the? necessary 309 members of the National Assembly. Political observers interpreted his reference to a combined effort as meaning a Communist-Socialist coalition. In an attempt to gain support he had day-long consultations with leading politicians, including M. Leon Blum, M. Rene Mayer, and M. (Andre Marie. The Radical Socialists v.xould have supported him. ACTION OF SOCIALIST PARTY In an editorial, the Times says: “A tendency of non-Communist and Catholic trade unions to collaborate with Communist unions was one of the main causes of the Socialists’ decision to bring down the Governments of both M. Schuman and M. Marie. The Socialists are clearly glad to seize upon breathing space offered bv postponement of elections to rid themselves of a Government which was causing them acute embarrassment. The mounting wave of labour unrest threatened to reduce their already somewhat slender hold on workingclass opinion. Each of the French parties is in itself convinced of the need for higher production, lower spending and administrative reform. What none or only a few of them appears willing to do, however, is to join others in helping to fulfil this need”. , , President Auriol has now asked M. Robert Schuman to try and form a Government.

Schuman Sees President (Rec. 10.20). LONDON, August 30. M. Robert Schuman, Of the M.R.P., went to the Elysee Palace early this morning to confer with President Auriol, according to news agency correspondents in Faris. M. Schuman accepted the President’s invitation to try to form a Government. Communists Want To be in Government (Rec. 11.5). LONDON, August 30. News agency reports from Paris record that the Communist newspaper, L’Humanite, in Monday’s issue, brushed aside M. Schuman’s candidature for the Premiership. It called instead for Communist Party participation in the Government, “or democratic union”. RADICAL SOCIALISTS FAVOUR ELECTIONS M. Ramadier refused to continue his negotiations to form a Cabinet. This came as a surprise, because the Radical Socialists, who hold a decisive vote in the Assembly, and who were expected to provide M. Ramadier's biggest obstacles, had announced yesterday evening that they would support M. Ramadier. The 'Radical Socialist Party held congresses outside Paris during yesterday. These congresses were urging dissolution of the Assembly and the holding of new elections. The prewar’ Premier, M. Daladier, was one of the Radical Socialists who urged the holding of elections at a Party meeting at Moulins. DE GAULLE IN BACKGROUND General de Gaulle is still remaining in the background, probabl}' for tactical reasons, as any strong intervention now might drive the parties into another weak compromise Government. It is considered, meanwhile, that General de Gaulle is awaiting the new elections which would follow the present crisis if it becomes necessary to dissolve the National Assembly.