Evening star., 1917-10-07
Premier Fails to Satisfy.

Despite the chamber Of deputies vote
proclaiming confidence in the govern
ment's resolve on the one hand to si-
lence the campaigns of calumny against
the republic and on the other to punish
1nf1exibly criminal contact with the en-
emy. the tempestuous debates of
Thursdays parliamentary session
weighed heavily upon the Painleve MN
fstry. The large number of absten-
tions from voting-i3S representatives
OF eight different parties refused to eX-
press their sentinents-is Indicative of
the premier's failure to satisfy the
chamber as whole, of the infallibility
of his policies.
Practically the entire socialist group,
headed by former Minister of Munitions
Albert Thomas, refrained from support
Ing the government. 1t is recalled that
during the war no ministry has sue
cumbed before an adverse vote in the
chamber. although several have fallen
OF their own accord when the govern
mental majority reached a low ebb.
Country Is Grieyed.
The country is thrilled and grieved,
but morally mistaken by the electric
shock of Daudets letter to President
Poincare. That determination of the
grave question II raises VIII be reached
at top speed is the universal belief.
Either Malvy, who for three years di-
rected the governmental activities
against Germany's sinister espionage
In france. is himself a spy and a trail
tor and as such must be shot, or Dau-
det is a calumniator whose baseless ac-
cusations merit his being treated as an
enemy to republicanism and conse-
ouently of the republic is the view
point OF every reasonable Frenchman.
See Monarchical Plot.
That his own paper. the Royalist Ac-
tion Franchise, should have dubbed him
The kings prosecutor has encour-
aged Daudet's adversaries to insist that
his onslaughts are directed less against
NAVY than against the political
thought Malvy stands for The conten-
ton of the radical elements in fact is
that Daudet and his parliamentary right
are seeking to use Various scandalous
anairs recently revealed to overthrow
the existing regime and establish a
monarchy and that slandering Malvy is
merely part of the campaign.
The conservatives reply that nobody
Is attacking the republic as Lebausts
said this morning and their intentions
treacherous pro-German activities in
France and all those connected with
them.
Attitude of Socialists.
The socialist members left no doubt
Of their dissatisfaction at Painleve's
failure TO define more clearly the gov
ernments attitude toward the cam
patgn of calumny" they claim is being
waged against them and all other ad-
herents of republicanism. Deputy
Pierre Laval summed up the sentiments
of his party when he voiced astonish-
ment that the premier had not forth
with laid before the chamber bill
providing for the swift and sure pun
ishment of Daudet unless without delay
he can prove the truth of his charges
1t Is pointed out that the present laws
covering such matters are wholly in
adequate to prevent SANDERS of the
grossest sort against public men. 1t
was only after considerable discussion
IN which he first seemed to incline to-
ward the view that simple interroga-
ttons by the examining magistrate were
all that was necessary, that Painleye
announced that Daudet would be sub
5ected to the severest possible prose-
cution by the government unless he
produced his proofs within forty-eight
hours.
Writing in Humanite. Marius Mount.
one Of the younger socialist leaders,
asks:
Why was 1t necessary when the de-
efres seemed so nearly in accord that
Painleyes government should have
given the impression that 1t meant to
stand aloft from debate from which
there should have emerged a definite.
energetic International policy against
the regime"