FRENCH

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1921, Page 5

FRENCH

GOVERNMENT DEFEATED, OVER GERMAN DISARMAMENT. EBEMIER WANTS FREE HAND, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Jan. 13, 7.50 p.m. Paris, Jan. 12. The Government was defeated on a confidence motion by 125 votes to 463, and have resigned. The crisis arose over German disarmament and reparations. Deputies demanded an instant discussion on foreign affairs. The Premier, M. Leygues, desired to postpone the discussion until after the conference of Premiers at Paris in order to leave his hands free. He pointed out that other Premiers were coming with free hands, and he asked for a vote of confidence, which was refused.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. The present Government in France has had a brief period in power, M. Leygues having attained office only in the later part of last year. During M. Clemenceau’s Premiership, M. Leygues was a notable colleague, and occupied a seat in the Cabinet as Minister of Marine. M. Leygues’ policy towards Germany to-day, over which it seems the crisis arose, was clearly revealed in a recent interview, in which he expressed his intention to secure the execution of the Versailles Treaty. France would exact what was her due quietly, and with calm, unshakeable firmness, and with justice to her former enemies and justice to herself, he sauT. He realised that before the world could arise from the cinders o-f the great fire all the civilised nations must collaborate, and France and Germany also. The conference of Premiers, at which M. Leygues desired a free hand, is fixed to take place in Paris next week, and its importance lies in the prospects of this conference definitely settling the question of disarming Germany and fixing how much Germany is to pay, and otherwise determining her responsibilities in the matter of reparations.