THE FRENCH SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1926, Page 2

THE FRENCH SITUATION

(Copyright to Australian Press Assn.) A FRENCH DEMONSTRATION. PARIS, July 23. A,, crowd last evening collected at a point on the Boulevards where motor coaches assemble daily to begin a tour of the capital and hooted the foreign passengers. The demonstrators became so threatening that the passengers were compelled to descend. Finally two coaches succeeded in pushing their way through the people who were blocking the road. The police were summoned and extricated British £ud American tourists from the crowd. FAVOURABLY RECEIVED. LONDON, July 24, One account of the formation of the new Ministry by AI. Poincare says:— “The superstitious may observe that France’s new Ministry numbers thirteen, hut this does not appear to affect tlie favourable reception of tlie Cabinet, which seems to possess, as none have done recently, the elements which should win the confidence of the country and of Parliament. M. Poincare’s success in bringing together not only men from the diverse groups that are represented, but also political antagonists of such a recent date as AI. Briand and Herriot constitutes a real triumph. It indicates a readiness on their part to sink their differences, political and personal.” “ The new Alinistry will appear in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, when its financial proposals will be tabled. Nothing is known at present concerning these.

AVHY COALITION WAS EFFECTED LONDON, July 24.

It was originally intended, as cabled, to limit the French Alinistry to five or six members, but events forced AI. Poincare’s hand, and he finally found himself obliged to provide for wider representation, in order to secure a greater measure of support. Naturally the greatest surprise was the .inclusion AI. Herriot as the AJinister of Education.

While AI. Poincare is anxious that his own return to power should not he regarded as revenge for the victory or the Left Cartel at the last elections, two years ago, AI. Herriot. in turn, explains that, on being asked to participate in the attempt- to secure a national union, he felt that he could not endanger its success by a refusal. Certainly, as the “ Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says, “never since the war lias such a motley group been gathered under one umbrella.” The new Cabinet includes six exPremier*. LONDON, July 24. The “ Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent reports that when the Premier, AI. Poincare, visited AI. Herriot yesterday morning, the latter was in tlie depths of depression and humiliation. He regarded himself as being a martyr of public life,, and he welcomed AI. Poincare’s offer of a Cabinet seat as carrying with it a kind of moral rehabiliation. LONDON, July 24. Tlie “ Daily Telegraph’s ” diplomatic correspondent says: “British official circles feel keen satisfaction that AL Briand retains tlie portfolios of Foreign Affairs in the French Government. This, it is believed, augurs well for Germany’s admission to the League of Nations in September, and for the l fate of the Locarno Pact.” PARTS, July 21. This has boon a week of most intense excitement in France. Frenzy lias uot been so apparent; however, since the formation of the Poincare Alinistry.

The rush of the populace to gather in goods and clothes before they reached prohibition prices lias practically ceased, but the large warehouses are still withholding goods.

BRITAIN’S DEBT TO THE U.S.A

CONFLICT OF OPINION.

PARTS, July 24

The United States Treasurer, Hon. Mr Mellon, interviewed on his arrival at Cherbourg, said that he was sorry if what he had said regarding the war debts had caused a strong difference of opinion. “ What I said regarding the purpose to which Britain had put the money that she borrowed from the United States was my own opinion, and it was intended largely to explain the situation to Americans.” POTNCARE’S PLANS. PARIS, July 24. Few Cabinets have received such a general blessing as that bestowed by the Paris morning newspapers on M. Poincare’s administration, which is being called popularly “ The Ministry of the Franc.” There is a general sign of relief that a Government has at last been formeit which looks like weathering the storm and salving the financial situation.

Politics are for the moment, forgotten. except for a few minor criticisms, such as the inclusion of M. Herriot and M,. Painleve in the Cabinet. Opinion, however, is nowise unanimous in forecasting the Government’s financial programme. The most startling “ intention ” in ' this connection is that attributed to M. Poincare by the newspaper “ Le Journal.” This is that he intends to ask Parliament to agree to a prorogation for two years, during which the Government will legislate by decree, the Premier’s argument being. that the trouble of the franc cannot be cured overnight, and that it needs three or four years complete rest and relief from political strife.

FRANC RECOVERS. LONDON, July 24. The French franc opened to-day at 202.00 to £l. It losed at 197.75. The Belgian franc closed at 193.50.