FRENCH CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1925, Page 2

FRENCH CRISIS.

AUSTRALIAN A Nil N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION HERRIOT RESIGNS. LONDON, April 10. The Chamber by a vote expressed confidence in the Government’s financial policy by 291 to 242. Tlie Harriot Ministry was defeated in the Senate being in a minority of twenty-two. The Government lias resigned. PARIS, April 11.

Following up M. Hcrriot’s charges yesterday against M. Poincare of secretly borrowing from tlio Bank of Francois, M. Marcel, who was M. Poin-t-arc’s Finance Minister, took up the challenge in the Senate, and he refuted M. Harriot's accusation.

M. Herriot promptly declared: "I am attacked, and I have the right to defend mvsclf in this war.”

M. Poincare joined in the debate vigorously. It was thought in the early stages that M. Herriot would weather the crisis, but later M. Dausset., the Leader of the twenty-three Democrats, said that his Party had previously abstained from, voting against Harriott, hut now intended voting against the Ministry.

The division was taken early in the evening,, resulting in a vote of loti to 134 against M. Herriot. The Premier instantly convened a meeting of the Cabinet. After a hasty meeting at the Quai D’Orsay, the members of the Government went to tlie F.lysee at ten o’clock to tender their resignation to President Doumerguc.

The Senate’s vote followed a long debate, in which the ex-Finanec Minister, M. Marcel and M. Poincare scathingly- criticised M. llorriot’s fin-

ancial proposals. M. Herriot replied, repeating his arguments that his predecessors were responsible for the present crisis. The result of tlie vote was received by the Opposition standing in silence while the Ministerialists shouted: “ Vive Herriot! An Rcvoir!”

PROLONGED CRISIS LIKELY. LONDON, April 11. The indications point to the French crisis being protracted and possibly lasting beyond the municipal elections which take place all over the country on the 3rd of May, giving lhq.se elections a special significance. BRITISH VIEWS. LONDON, April 12.

The “ Sunday Times ” states British circles regard the most important features of the crisis will be the next government’s attitude to the mutual security pact and inter-Allicd debts. The Nationalist Government: headed InMillcrand and Poincare would kill all hopes of any pact, including Germany. On the contrary, even ii Loucheur were Finance Minister, he could not offer terms worse than his predecessor. The paper reveals when -Clcmentel’s officials visited London a week ago they offered to icn.iv a debt ol 2 to 3 millions yearly. Mr (‘hut-chill, who had originally intended requesting seventeen. promptly demanded twenty millions. Loucheur, if Finance Minister, would make either a better ofler or none at all. probably none.

BR.IANI) AND SOCIALISTS CONFER. PARIS, April. 14.

At a private meeting with M. Ilriaml. the Socialist group decided to convene a National Congress of the Group on Tuesday to decide the question collaboration in M. Brin lid's cabinet. M. Briand this morning had a cordial conversation with NT. Herriol and in an interview afterwards he said that he had told M. Doumerguc he thought it " : ’. s preferable at the present that the Government should he composed of members of all groups of the Left and Centre. It is understood M. Briand offered the Socialists several portfolios. If tle'v refuse, M. Briand will decide <m the form of his Cabinet, but be 1 willing to accept the foreign port 1 olio under another Premier. M. BRIAND’s .108. PARIS, April 13 M. Briand says lie contemplates forming a Cabinet of the l.elt. with every element in. the majority taking its Autre of rosponsibilty It is unlikely M. Briand will ho able to reach a solution till Tuesday when the Socialists meet to decide whether they will participate. Some members are wiling to co-operate hut the verdict of the main body is doubtful. M. Briand may he able to make a compact- with M. Poincare.