Evening star., 1933-10-19
The French Budget.

While Chancellor Hitler last week was
broadcasting to the world the reasons
that impelled Germany to bolt the &C.
neva Disarmament Conference and
withdraw from the League Of Nations
he extended an olive branch to France
and referred in knightly terms to the
gallantry Of the French soldier. Those
sentiments were duly appreciated in
Paris, but 1t would appear that the
Nal leader did the French government
a far more practical and timely service.
Chancellor Hitler spoke at a moment
when the Daladier ministry has staked
its all on fiscal policy concerned
mainly with measures to meet a pro-
spective deficit Of seven and three
quarters billions OF francs currently
SAB, 100000 odd. Premier Daladier,
facing strong parliamentary opposition,
has been more than doubtful of his
ability to carry through his budget pro-
grain. But Herr Hitler seems to have
won the day for him. On Tuesday the
Chamber of Deputies, by the ample
vote Of 470 to 100, approved the pro
cedure Of extreme urgency" demanded
by the government in light OF the
strained European situation provoked
by Germanys recent action in Geneva.
When the cabinet goes before the
chamber later this week with its de-
tailed budget proposals there is now
every expectation that these will be
substantially supported.
Frances fiscal problems, except that
they are Of lesser magnitude, are not
unlike those with which President
Roosevelt had to grapple in the United
States last March. The eventual
status Of the franc is highly uncertain.
Clinging to the gold standard. the
French contend that the present hour
position Of the franc Is strong, but
when the British and American cur
rencies are stabilized Premier Daladier
forecasts an outflow Of refugee capi-
tai from Paris. The effect OF this, he
says, can only be withstood by the
franc II French state finances are put
in sound condition betimes.
Paris dispatches indicate that Par
Lament is in mood to approve the gov
ernment's fiscal plans because of what
is happening at Geneva and in Ger
many. If M. Daladier Is baked on
them, he roundly declares that his gov
ernment will face the music and resign.
The premier makes no bones as to the
gravity of the French treasury's plight.
It will have to borrow next year to
meet bond maturities and finance a
public works program. To enable the
government to carry out these purposes
M. Daladier declares that budget bal
ancing is imperative, with quick inha-
ton" as the alternative. The premier
reminds his countrynsen Of what hap
pened during the previous depreciation
Of the franc and warns them that
repetition of that experience would have
consequences Infinitely more painful
than the fiscal sacrifices Ffenchmen are
now asked to make"
These sacrifices" are Of sort not
unfamiliar to Americans at the moment.
The government seeks to cut the pay
of its employees and also to reduce the
pensions of war veterans. The Daladier
cabinet furthermore proposes govern
msnt control Of the war materials in
dustry.
The French. traditionally. are fecalci-
trant whenever asked to contribute more
tax revenue to the national treasury.
But they unfailingly respond to de-
mands for sacfidees when the safety,
security and honor Of France are IN
volved. Thanks to Chancellor Hitler,
it is easy for the present French gov
ernment TO make IN irresistible appeal
to It's people.