Evening star., 1924-06-08
MILLERAND FIGHTING
FRENCH INSTABILITY
Opposes Principle That President
Loses Office When Parliament
Control Changes.
By Radio to The Star.

By Radio to The Star.
PARIS, June THE present presi-
Dental crisis in France is purely
political in origin and rises grave
constitutional problem. The French
constitution provides that the Presi-
dent, except in case of treason, is
not responsible for his acts, which
are Railways countersigned by 4 min
lister.
What NJ. Millerand's opponents are
trying to do is to hold him re-
sponsible, not only for his acts. but
also for his presumed opinions. This
would mean that henceforth every
time parliamentary majority
changes, then not only the ministry,
ton in the French constitutional sys-
ton in the French constitution sys-
tenn.
1t must be remembered that the
position of French presidents is en-
tirely different from that of American
Presidents. Under the law of 1873. a
French president has no active part
in the government except to choose
Il new premier when the government
is overthrown and even then ne must
consult parliamentary leaders. HaV-
ing no active power he has no re-
sponsibility. This principle has been
preserved intact except ior Marshal
MacMahon's resignation in 1877.
1877 Precedent Invoked.
M. Millerands adversaries have not
failed to invoke the MacMahon prec-
edent, but the presidents answer
was that the precedent is inapplicable
since the recent elections were not
due to dissolution of the chamber;
as in 1877. Moreover, NJ. Millerand
did not intervene in the campaign,
while, MacMahon personally took part
The writer attended 200 meetings ana
did not hear Millerand's name men
toned.
therefore, Millerand's opponents
have i'll chosen their ground. Their
hostility is based on the fact that
they know, or suppose, he IS opposed
to certain articles in their platform
and want to get rid OF MN. tt., IL Is
which is something new under the
French constitution. >.
There has been much talk that il
other expedients fail President MIL
lerand might confer power on M,
majority in the chamber and his
defeat would inevitably mean M MIL
lerand's resignation. On the other
hand. il M. Maginot attempted to reao
a decree of adjournment or cIosuLe
without debate, it would De p
cally Impossible to prevent some
deputy from getting on the hoor and
starting a discussion which would
end in a vote overthrowing the caol-
net. .a.a
in reading a decree OF closure, IL
would mean nothing unless it was fol-
lowed by a decree of dissolution wmcn
would require the approval OF tne
Senate and would simply create an
agitation without any dehn1te result
MtIIerand Took Easiest Way.
Therefore. only two possible issues
are seen. II NJ. Masinot Is choSen
premier the result WIZ a,.st;,ns Is ~ or
resienation of M. Mllerand- NJ
Mae;not is neither of sufficient per
sonaI forcefulnesS nor has he sum
Gent political support to oe mo.e
than Millerand's message oearer "
w Wben M. Millerand's decision was
transmitted, three weeks ago 70
resist pressure to resign as 1ar as
nossi bile. the question had not pecoIIie
so acute aS it has since tnS oHuoS'
of the cartel des gauches: me pup
nsnccts of the situation, but far more
important is the underlying conseitSs
tional problem which ahects the
whole future of France.
FROM a political viewpoint tners
is one conclusion: Had M M1lIerano
had more initiative when ren,e and
poincare resigned last February and
bod constituted a bye government.
the the elections would have resulted resulted
flifferently and the present trouoies
would not have arisen.
But NJ Millerand took the eaSIest
course and M. Poincare calmly allow
ed the Left cartel to be formed under
iIis nose after NJ Cemenceau mad
shattered it to pieces in 1919. Re
sult-Poincare is asked to resign anu
Millerand is asked to follow MIN.
Copyright, 1924