FRENCH POLITICAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1923, Page 3

FRENCH POLITICAL CRISIS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

FRENCH CABINET RESIGN. PARIS, May 2-1. M. Poincare has handed the Cabinet's resignation to President Millernnd. RESIGNATIONS WITHDRAWN. PARIS, May 21. M. Poincare tendered President Mil-li-rand the resignations ot himsell and his collective cabinet, but at M. Milleraud’s request ho withdrew them. M. Cobrat, -Minister of .Justice, interviewed, said that when lie heard of the decision of the High Court, he went immediately to M. Poincare to ofler his resignation, feeling that, as the Minister responsible for the prosecution of the Communists, he could no longer remain a member of the Government. M. Poincare did not accept this resignation. declaring that all members of the Cabinet were equally responsible, so they would resign in a body, as the Senate decision would prevent the Government from continuing its policy regarding the Communists. The Ministers went to the Elyseo where President Millernnd prevailed upon M. Poincare to withdraw, despite his original determination. M. Cobrat remains in the Government which will now consider its course of action. President Millerrmil was giving a ball at Elyseo in celebration of the Pasteur Centenary when M. Poincare and the other Ministers arrived. The decision of the Government, to refer the trial of the Communists to the Senate, as an extraordinary Court of Justice, was only arrived at after long deliberation. M, C'acliin, as a member of the Chamber of Deputies has enjoyed immunity from arrest, hut this was voted away in January, by a large majority. He. by virtue (if iiis former position, was allowed a seat in the gallery ot the Senate. The other accused men were not present. The Senate alter the reading of a voluminous indictment, immodiateK proceeded to the consideration of whether the circumstances justiffid a High Court for the purpose of trying the accused men. The decision refusing to do so came ns a bombshell in the Government circles. In some quarters the decision is attributed to the Senate’s resentment agansl M. Poincare for having on the previous day compelled it to pass the Summer Time Bill, by making the qiieston one of ciiifuleiiee in the Government.