New-York tribune., 1921-01-13
Premier Loses Vote of
Confidence by 463 to
l25; Poincare May Be
Chosen His Successor
Stands for Strict
Terms to Germany
Further Cleavage From
Allies Feared if Former
President Has His Way
By Ralph Courtney
Special Gable to The Tribune

Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Inc.
PARIS, Jan. 12.-Armics may again
march in Europe if, as seems probable
tonight, Raymond Poincart, former
President of France, is asked to form
a new national Cabinet to replace the
ministry of Georges Leygues, which
was overthrown this afternoon by the
unprecedented vote of 463 to 1875.
President Millerand, it is reported
tonight, will do everything possible to
avoid summoning Poincare to the Pre-
mlership in view Of the critical situa-
tion and the former Presidents strong
stand on the problems confronting
France. There is strong sentiment.
however, in favor Of Poincare. He
stands for no compromise with Ger
many, and wants to get back to the
Treaty Of Versailles instead of what he
considers wasting time with arrange
ments intended to concilate the Ger
mans but which the Germans resist.
Millerand's Decision Forced
France now stands at the parting of
the ways. Unless Millerand insists on
no more compromises by the ministry
before abandoning his hope in the con-
clllatory machinery now operating at
Brussels and elsewhere he must call
Polncare to the national leadership.
france wants strong man to conduct
her case at the forthcoming Paris con-
ference. The entire country and tho
chamber would unanimously select
Fo' re at tnis critical time but for
one fact. 1t is feared in many quarters
WAT Polncares uncompromising atti-
tude would cause trouble between
France and her allies. England al
ready has shown that her friendship
has cooled since the war.
Mlllerand, however, may not be able
to resist the growing sentiment in
favor of nationalist ministry. Poin-
care declares that he favors reaching
thorough agreement with the Allies
on every outstanding point of differ
ence, but the fear is felt that his un-
compromising attitude might, on the
contrary, precipitate another European
crisis.
Poncaire's Policy Defined
Poncare's policy may be Judged
from the following views of the French
situation, which he recently expressed: I:
unless Germany's disarmament
were completed by the first of the year
the catch would automatically be
loosed and the machinery start NOV
ing: The new year arrived but the
spring didn't work. Despite the unani-
nous agreement of the Intcr-Allied
Control Commission. Germany has not
disarmed."
Tomorrow Millerand will not only
call before him the presidents Of the
two chambers, as is customary, but he
intends to summon twenty-five or
thirty members Of the Senate and
Chamber to discuss the situation and
what is to be done. Millerand will
outline fully the situation. He will
describe his policy of conciiation and
will endeavor to obtain acceptance of
time warning the members of what Is
likely to happen if moderate policy
is not followed. 1t remains to be seen
whether Millerand is able to keep his
control over the governing body of
Franco.
Leygues pleaded in vain this after
noon TO the Chamber to be allowed to
retain his Premiership at least until
after tho Premiers' conference, but the
CHamDer NSteneu 20 MN IN icy silence.
interpretations Cause Downfall
All day yesterday he had tried to
negotiate with various groups which
intended to attack him, and it is under
stood That last night he believed his
government was safe at least for an
other two weeks. Nevertheless, to-day
he was faced by no less than five in
terpellations from members in every
part of the House. Durand Bechet
asked about interior finance, Maurice
Raynaud of German disarmament, La
cottc Of the policy toward England,
Bokanowski of foreign finance, and
Deyris Of general policies.
Leygues begged that the interpret
lations be postponed "The repre-
sentatives of foreign governments are
coming to Paris with hands free to ne
gotiate with u.s." he cried. at is in
dispensable that the French govern
ment should be in the same position"
This was received in dead silence.
Bonnevay, the National bloc leader,
then mounted the tribune and de-
clared: "The government asks for our
blind confidence. This we cannot
give"
The vote Of confidence was then taken
and Leygues and his ministers left the
Chamber and handed their designations