Evening star., 1934-01-28
GEN.WEYGANDSEEN
LIKELY AS PREMIER
Ability Of Herriot to Obtain
Sufficient Support Is
Widely Doubted.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

A dissolution Of the French Chamber
and the appointment Of a government
Of oficiab headed by Gen. Maxine
Weygand, chief of staff of the French
Army. is considered In well-informed
quarters in Washington as a distinct
possibility in the light Of the political
crisis in France.
According to reliable reports. Presi-
dent Albert Lebrun will find it difficult
to intrust any Of the present political
men of France with the formation of
a new cabinet to succeed Camille
Chautemps.
Most Of the members of the Radical
and Radical-Socialist parties are tar
nished either directly or indirectly by
the financial scandals which have
shaken France in the last few weeks.
Edouard Herriot is above suspicion,
but it is doubtful whether he will be
able to muster sufficient votes to remain
in ONCE longer than q few weeks.
Favors Paying U. s.
Herriot has very determined political
ideas and has shown great stubbornneSS
In demanding the payment Of the
French debt to the United States. 1t
Is this policy which has forced him to
abandon power in December. 1888, and
although he has had twice the oppor-
tunity Of becoming prime minister
again, he has refused because he knew
that the French Chamber would not
support him.
The possibility of President Lebrun
choosing a prime minister from the
ranks of the Center and the Right
seems remote. The most indicated
man would be Andre Tardieu, but he,
too was overthrown on account Of
financial scandal-the Oustric affair
and consequently it is hardly probable
that he would be accepted by the
French Chamber.
The French constitution provides that
the President of the republic consult
the leaders of the various political par
ties as to who could muster sufficient
votes in the Chamber to be intrusted
with the task of forming a cabinet.
There are today some II groups in
the French Parliament.
As rule. the man who is intrusted
with the formation OF a new cabinet
consultS the various groups where he
has friends and offers the leaders vari
GUS portfolios in the new administra-
tion. In ordinary times. this is a COM
paratively easy task, but today it will
be difficult for any man in politics to
find the necessary support.
Cabinet Stays for Time.
Under these circumstances, when 1t
appears to the President that the politi-
cal constitution of the Chamber does
not permit the formation of a ministry
he has the right. with the appreciation
of the Senate, to dissolve the Cham
Der and call for new elections.
In the interim, the resigned cabinet
remains in office in order to expedite
the current affairs
But the President is not compelled to
maintain the same cabinet in power
during the election period. He may
summon any one he trusts to carry on
the routine of government.
In the present circumstances the
Chautemps cabinet is very much dis
credited.
On the other hand there are riots in
Paris, and it Is not impossible that these
should spread to the provinces. France
needs. consequently. a strong interim
government. should President Lebrun
decide that he has to dissolve the pres
ent chamber. ~F
not been in power in France sice 1878,
the republic. But, constitutionally the
President has the right of appointing
such business government.
According to latest reports from
Paris, Lebrun will endeavor first to
form a cabinet of national concentra-
ton under the presidency. it is said, of
CASTOR Doumergue, former President of
France. who has been out of active poll
tics for the last 10 years.
Was Foch's Assistant.
But should the political elements be
opposed to such cabinet-Doumergue
had been ousted because of his con-
servative views by Herriot when the
latter became prime minister in 1924
then there will be no other choice than
to form a government which can main
tain law and order and Gen. Weygand
is spoken Of as the most likely man
to head II.
Gen weygand is not only a remark
able soldier he had been Marshal
Foch's right-hand man-but also q
man with a great intellect and an ad-
mirable political sense.
He has proved his mettle as an Or
ganiZer and an administrator during
the two years he has been high COM
missioner in Syria. a turbulent country
which he succeeded in pacifytng with
out using the mailed fist.
He is also extremely popular with
the army, which has blind confidence
in him, and Is ready to follow his lead
ership.
Naturally he is not popular with the
politicians, especially the Socialists, of
all shades, and the Communists, but
this is immaterial since he does net
have to appeal to popular vote to re-
main In Office.