The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1929. FRANCE'S POLITICAL CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1929. FRANCE'S POLITICAL CRISIS.

■Thu difficult situat.on produced in French political life by the lull of the Briand .Ministry lasted longer than was anticipated, but, considers an exchange, there is a gleam of hope at last. 'lhe crucial feature of the position all along has been the attitude of the Radicals. They were largely responsible for Briand’s downfall, and the Socialists, who regard him as a traitor to their cause, were quite prepared to join hands with the Radicals to keep lain out of office. When Briand, finding that matters had got beyond his control, recommended Clementel as his successor, and the new leader attempted to form a Cabinet, he was faced by a demand from the Radical Socialist group that lie must first submit his programme to them. Clementel therefore stepped aside, and his place has been taken by M. Andre Tardieu, who seems to have for the moment a better chance than anyone else of forming a stable government. Of' course, the Radicals presented to Tardieu the 'same demand as they had made on 1 Clementel. But Tardieu is couragous and self-reliant and declined to tie his 1 lands at their bidding. He lias therefore been compelled to select his colleagues mostly from the Centre, and the new Cabinet, consisting largely of Moderates, closely resembles Poincare's last Government. But if Tardieu can succeed in bolding olfi o for any length of time, the composition of his Ministry will matter loss than the character of his programme. For though a comparatively young man as politicians go, lie is very sure of himself and verv certain of the value of his own opinions, and he will undoubtedly trv to give a definite lead to his party rather than follow tamely at the heels of piihli' 1 on ; nion. His difficulty. is that the Radicals and Socialists together form more than onethird of the Chamber of Deputies. Riven Poincare found it hard to carry on without Radical help, and when Poincare failed Tardieu can hardly hone to s"cceed. The advent, of Tardieu as Prime .Minister is an interesting pobtical event for Tardieu is a verv interesting man. lie came into public notice first during the war. when Clemenceaii sent him to the United (States to organise cooperation with the Allies. While he was still under 30 he had

been appointed foreign editor of the ‘'Temps" and had made a name for

himself by his clear and vigorous comments on national affairs. Cleinenceau, who is a- good judge of men, found Tardieu extremely useful both as journalist and organiser, and the ‘‘Tiger” permitted him to play an important part in the peace discussions at Versailles. Tardieu. indeed, regarded the Peace settlement as largely bis own work, and lie deliberately set himself to outdo Poincare in the public esteem as a champion of national interests. But while Poincare held his ground, Tardieu could not hope to lead the Moderates, the party for which lie has most natural alfinity. Now Poincare is laid aside, Briand is temporarily eclipsed, and so Tardieu’s hour is come. As Minister of the interior he proved Jus courage by enforcing law and order against the Communists last May Pay, and the people of France already look to him as a. bold, resourceful and patriotic leader. Able, resolute, seif-coniident, and a thoroughly

capable man of affairs l , Tardieu may “go far,” and the present combination of circumstances has given him as good an opening as his best friends could desire.