SCHUMAN AGAIN FORMS GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1948, Page 5

SCHUMAN AGAIN FORMS GOVERNMENT

Situation in France Remains Critical (Rec. 9.30). LONDON, Sept. 4. The British United Press correspondent at Paris says: M. Robert Schuman, M.R.P. leader, has formed a Government. Earlier M. Schuman gave up the attempt, and handed his resignation as Prime Minister to the President (M. Vincent Auroal). M. Auriol later conferred with M. L. Blum, veteran Socialist leader. M. Schuman had been unable at the earlier attempt to fill the Ministries of Labour and of the Interior. All parties shun these jobs, because they would be extremely uncomfortable if there were another nation-wide strike. It was feared that a dissolution would follow M. Schuman’s earlier failure. At the request of President Auriol, however, M. Schuman withdrew his resignation and set out again to form a Government. Later M. Schuman’s secretary said that M. Schutnan was expected to announce his Cabinet next day. Earlier Press Agency dispatches from Paris said the Socialists had decided to approve the princ?/le of participating in M. Schuman’s Cabinet with reservations on certain undisclosed points. The Socialists went to seek assurances from M. Schuman on these points late on Saturday night. M. Schuman received a definite promise of support from the Radical Socialists.

The’ Democratic and Socialist Resistance Union is reported also to have promised him support.

TENSE SITUATION IN FRANCE Meanwhile, the situation throughout France has remained tense. The Caretaker Government mobilised all the Paris police on Saturday, and ordered the Republican Security Forces to stand by to prevent possible trouble from strikers’ demonstrators. Labour demonstrations continued throughout Saturday. Railway workers at Nancy left their jobs, and bakery employees in Paris remained on strike for double pay.

CURRENCY CRISIS

The Bank of France has announced a rise of one per cent, in the discount rate. The newspaper, Le Monde, says: The Bank of France is making an effort to fight inflation.

CALL FOR GENERAL ELECTION , In the National Assembly, M. Max Brussel, the De Gaullist Deputy, has tabled a draft Bill calling for a general election in October. M. Jacques Soustelle, General de Gaulle’s political adviser, said: “General de Gaulle, alone, can steer the French nation away from civil war. We a e certain of coming to power, but only by the will of the voters, once the present Chambers have finally understood that they can only lead the country to ruin”.

COMMUNIST MANIFESTO The Communist newspaper, IHumanite, has published a Communist Party manifesto declaring that facts had shown it was not possible to set up a strong Government without the Communists. The Communist Party was ready to assume responsibility incumbent on it in a Government of democratic union.