FRENCH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1930, Page 6

FRENCH POLITICS

MINISTRY DEFEATED

{United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] PARIS, Feb. 25. A bitter debate in the Chamber of Deputies followed Premier Clmutemps reading of the Ministerial declaration. M. Tardicu (ex-Premicr) was loudly cheered on entering the Chamber.

The attack on the Government began .immediately. M. Reynaud, ot the Right Group, pointing out. that the Government, which was now invoking the national interest, were the same men who had stabbed m the back the man (M. Tardicu) who., was doing his best in defending the national interests. lie added: M. Clmutemps knows that he has lost. ’ M. Edouard Soulic similarly declared that the hours of the Government were already numbered. M. Cliautemps, replying to the debate, emphasised that his cliiet differences with tbo Tardiqu Government were financial. He proposed to lighten the burden on the taxpayers. He added that M. Brnml, who had been for years preparing a policy of peace and disarmament, was going to London to represent the Government.

M. Bium said that the Socialists were supporting the--'Government • despite their differing from it on some points, because it was different from Mt Tardieu’s Government, which was a government of reaction. •M. Franklin Bouillon - said that it would he wrong to send, to London representatives of , a Government which had no certainty of lasting.

- Finallyy. the Government was defeated on a confidence motion. 1 lie official figures were.— For the Government 277 votes; Against the Government, 202. M. Francois Marsal’s Government in 1924, and M. Ribot’s Government m 1914 were also defeated on their first appearances in the Omni her.

OHAUTKMPS DERIDED

AS EX-PREMIER’S BETRAYERPARIS, Feb. 25. Sympathy for M. Tardicu on personal as well as political grounds, was. manfiestod before tbo debate. The Ministers bad taken their seats in the 'Chamber, and the, galleries were, crowded, when M. Ohautemps, bhb : Premier, entered. His own party and some Socialists clapped, but otherwise there was no mark of approval given him. M. Tardiefi came in a few minutes later, looking brisk and determined.- He was welcomed with hearty cheering. It was known he had abandoned any idea of benevolent neutrality and that ho meant to fight M. Cliautemps. "The speech of M. Cliautemps was heal’d coldly. Then his opponents bpgan to make merry, saying that MChautemps’ policy was merely that of M. Tardieu. ; who would still bo the' Premier hut for his attack of infl *- onwi. But, they said, M. Cliautemps Lould not carry out M. Tardieu’s policy, because lie was at the mercy of the Socialists.

They declared the . now ! Proimcv had said that national considerations must conn; first, blit that he had stabbed M. Tardieu in the hack when he was engaged in international, negotiations. M. Chautemps “ had also premised to continue his predecessor’s policy at the London Conference, but the Socialist leader, M.. Blum, had already declared that, he did not subscribe thereto.

These hitter jests wore. evidently to the liking of a large porportinn of the Deputies, who seized every opportunity to demonstrate thcii sympathy with M Tardieu. The leaders of certain of the ILatlical sections explained that they must vote against, the Cabinet on tim ground “that M. Chautemps lmd placed himself in the hands of the Socialists, whereas this Chamber had been deeded in order to oppose the Soc-i.Bids’ collectivist policy.

PREMIER IN REPLY

18. Chautemps, in replying, did little except to appeal lor the ( Immhor’s toleration, pointing out that he had'reqnested M. r T;irtlien to continue representing France in London, hut ho said still lie thought M. lb kind would do equally as well. Me assured the Chamber that the Government would stand by the hrencli naval memorandum of December 2d lb last sotting forth the Drench viewpoint. . M. Blum (Socialist leader), said tlin SoeiaiisiH supported the Onvcriiment. but they wanted less silent on armaments.

The first vote of confidence then went against the Government by 292 votes to 278.

Thus there fell the shortest-lived Cabinet of the Third Republic. The vote, was received with cries of “Vive Tardieu!”

The result had been anticipated from the moment that the Socialists began to dictate what the Government’s policy should be in the Naval Conference at London. Throughout the proceedings, there was an atmosphere of resentment and the bitterest phrases were used to characterise the treatment accorded, to M. Tardieu, though something of a more profound personal loyalty lay at the root of the struggle. \ vast crowd gathered outside the Chamber, the approaches of which were closely guarded by the police. It is considered unlikely that President Doumergue will summon M.

Tnrdieii to form a Cabinet. It is believed that a slop-gap Government will lie formed in order to pass the Budget, which is regarded as being more important than any international eonlerenco. ,M. Clemen tel is mentioned and also M Briand and M. Poincare, wlm however, are both unlikely to lorm Govern incut, owing to reasons of healthPA PIS. I‘Vl>. 2(5. M. Poincare refused to form a Ministry for health reasons. M. Tardieu lias consented to try.