FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1917, Page 5

FRANCE.

NEED FOR UNITY.

FRENCH PREMIER'S VIEWS. GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. CABINET RESIGNS. Paris, Nov. It. M» Painleve, addressing the Chamber, sn.Ul that the Russian collapse had made the defeat of the Italians possible necessitating immediate measures by the Allies. French troops had taken their fdace in the front line, and the movement was executed with such rapidity and precision as to inspire admiration. To-day British contingents were spreading out beyond tho Alp?;, and England was sending largo forces. The Allies realised that the defeat of one ivould mean tho death of all. therefore they were putting' their armies on Monday into a common stock. The inter-Al-lied Committee would he a supreme Council of War and doubtless America, whose troops would soon be fighting on the same front, would co-operate in the Council. They would conduct further negotiations with Russia and Japan. The War Council would meet in France at least once a month.

The- objection had already been raised that they needed a single command and not a consultative committee. He would not say that the scheme represented the last step in the path of progress, but they ought without delay to achieve the beat possible, and. not wait months without doing anything. Perhaps were the Councils working to lead to unity of command, such command would require a General Staff, exactly as they had now crratcd. Already the steps bad been the source of comfort and enthusiasm in [talv.

Germany was making a tremendous effort, hoping for a decisive victory bdfore the end of the year. Complete accord had been reached between Britain and Franco on military matters, also regarding revietualling. The Allies in those respects would soon constitute a single country. Upon their war-stedfastness depended the future of four-fifths of the civilised world.

Regarding a further extension of the British front a preliminary agreement had been reached between the two commanders, and the operations would bo carried out at an early date.

Mutual control of food supplies was a feature of the Anglo-French agreement. Roth were ready for further restrictions and would release ships for .the transport of American troops. The Morning Post covreepondent says the 3peech was coldly received, but the reference to American financial and economic assistance aroused enthusiasm.

Following M, Painteve's speech, the Chamber discussed two interpellations. Deputy Ferry urged the fusion of the armies on the west front.

Deputy Lemery favored the creation of an army of manoeuvre.

The Chamber passed a vote of confidence by 250 to 102, and it looked as if the Government would emerge victorious from the warm session, when the question arose of fixing a date for a discussion of the interpellations on the .Government's internal policy. ■M. Painleve refused to allow discussion, before November 30, saying that members of the Government must have time to work instead of always defending their existence. M. Painleve made the question one of confidence in the Government, and (he voting proceeded in a heated atmosphere. There was little surprise when the voting'—227 to Ifiti-—indicated the defeat of the Government.

Paris, Nov. 14. The Government Ims resigned.