Evening star., 1934-11-05
Crisis in Eranne

Political conditions in France are
at white heat again and threaten be-
fore this week is over to eventuate in
such turmoil as plunged Paris into
sanguinary strife last February. Pre-
mier Doumergues stern struggle for
constitutional reforms has brought
him into decisive conflict with Par
lament and with the Herriot radical
Socialists within his own cabinet. A
truce was patched up last week as
matters approached a climax, but it
is only the calm that precedes an un-
avoidable storm. Military and police
precautionary measures are now un-
der way in anticipation of a popular
uprising in case NJ. Doumergues pro-
poSals are thwarted by the Chamber
of Deputies or the Senate, or both.
The premiers cause enjoys more sup
port among the masses than does the
parliamentary opposition.
NJ Doumergue'S strategy for the
moment is to ask first for the extern
sion of three months budgetary
credit for maintenance of the govern
ment, during which period Parlia-
ment, if necessary, could devote itself
exclusively to consideration of con-
stitutional reforms. The premier will
make the credits proposal an i'm
mediate test of his strength. If it is
rejected, he will forthwith ask the
Senate to dissolve the Chamber of
Deputies preparatory to general cleo
tions, in which M. Doumergue would
take his case directly to the country.
From such a national referendum he
is confident he would emerge vindi-
Gated and victorious.
The premier projects a four-point
constitutional revision program. He
would limit the membership of the
cabinet to twenty and create the post
of prime minister. He would make it
possible, after the. Chamber of Dep
uties has been in Office one year, for
the President of the republic to dis
solve the chamber without the Sem
ates concurrence prerogative the
Upper House is loathe to surrender.
He would guarantee the tenure Of
civil servants by liberating them from
political interference, and, finally. he
would confine to the government all
proposals for national expenditure,
unless proposals by the two houses Of
Parliament we're accompanied by
corresponding provisions for revenue.
Eventually it is NJ. Doumergue's
purpose to convoke a National AS
sembly. consisting of Senate and
Chamber, to reform the constitution
along proposed lines. The premier'S
avowed aim is to Danish political in
trigue in the government of France
to make the existence Of cabinets
more secure. and to stabilize the ad-
ministration of public business by
creating a more centralized authority.
The issue is clean cut. 1t commands
wide popular approval Only the
politicians, who resent the blow which
the Doumergue plan frankly aims at
factionalism, are hostile to it. They
are basing their opposition mainly on
the argument that the premier's pro-
gram would set up dictatorship"
NJ. Doumergue has strongly in
trenched himself in the French peo-
pies favor since he took the helm in
the midst of last Winters catas-
trophic developments. The nation
has come to look upon him as an un-
selfish statesman animated only by
the desire to bring order out of its
chaotic politics. Thus fortified in
public confidence, he is manifestly
ready for a fight to the finish.