Evening star., 1935-08-25
BY PERTINAX.
NHE German military law put
In force last March was rightly
interpreted to mean that, from
Tor, IN hotfnrrn fha RaichsWahr

in force last Mdrcn was TlgilIIy
interpreted to mean that, from
u top to bottom, the Reichswehr
would have to undergo a process OF
transformation and that the system
of mobilization would have to be
thoroughly altered. From those facts,
the inference was drawn that for
year Germany would have to follow
a more subduoas 1oreign policy; that
once more she would be compelled to
play for time and postpone any violent
decision she may have in mind.
AS a consequence, it was expected
that the Summer and Autumn would
pass off rather quietly, that the ma
tions which are determined to defend
the peace treaties meanwhile would
strengthen themselves, more closely
combine their policies. Afterwards, 1t
was felt, the German Fuehrer, even
when he had completed his warlike
preparations. would have to move
more carefully than before.
How Is it, then, that those relatively
optimistic prospects have been marred,
lIldl 4llOlC ClNOuoilCoo 1Al4 ohAANOy
can be noticed on the Continent today
than at any previous period and that.
on the whole, the forces working for
stability and peace are losing ground
rather than making headway?
The answer to that question Is to
be found in the way France manages
her :nternal affairs and England her
foreign polcy-with the Italian expe-
dition to Ethiopia acting as an addi-
tional cause of trouble.
France, it is true, has not lost any
time in bringing her army to what is
generally regarded as a safe standard.
The fortificaticns on the northeastern
frontier have been completed and
fully garrisoned There are now
thousands and thousands Of men lv-
ing in trenches, dugouts and subter-
raneeu shelters.
New Supreme Commander.
After the departure of Gen. Wey-
gand. the supreme command has been
intrusted to Gen Gamelin, one Of the
most experienced strategists OF 1914
Is, assisted by Gen. Georges-a great
intellect coupled with unbonded
energy. Against the French system
of national defense no surprise attack
would be likely to prevail.
So much for the good side Of it. A
serious flaw is to be detected elsewhere
in the French system: The executive
branch of the government is still weak;
it has not been freed from the en-
croachments Of parliamentary and
electoral interests. So far 1t mas car
ried out drastic measure of budgetary
retrenchment. but it is yet to be
shown whether, in the long run. that
violent defiation will not bring t1 its
train a further diminution OF tax le-
ceipts and whether a devaluation of
the currency can be avoided
Moreover, important elections are
coming-senatorial elections next
october, legislative elections next
Spring-and are bound to increase
the pressure Of sectional interests
upon the cabinet. In short, the
executive power has not been strength
ened beyond every possible challenge.
The program formulated last Autumn
by M. Doubergue, when premier, has
not been fulfilled.
As months pass, the division OF the
country between two adverse groups
becomes more striking. On the one
hand, the Conservatives, the Moder-
ates, the 100000 Croix de Feu and
National Volunteers. led by Col. de la
Rocque. are determined not to allow
a complete comeback Of the parlia-
mentary and electoral regime which
was more or less brushed aside last
year by the sanguinary riots of Feb
ruary 6. They would undoubtedly re-
volt against the Radical-Socialist and
Socialist majority in the Chamber and
in the Senate if it made up its mind
to seize control of the cabinet again.
On the other hand, the groups Of
the Left regard 1t as scandal that
q body Of public opinion that could
not obtain an electoral majority at
the polls should be able. for such a
long time, to hold them in check and
to keep all the avenues to ministerial
office barred against them. And they
raise the usual cry against Fascism.
Laval Plays for Time.
Between the two contending parties,
Prime Minister Laval, at the head of
a composite ministry, plays for time
and endeavors to postpone the issue.
The parliamentary majority tolerates
him and has not dared refuse him the
enabling bill" that, until the reas-
sembly of Parliament in November,
authorizes him to carry out by decree
all the measures he may deem neces-
Sary to balance the budget and main
tain the gold content of the currency.
But it means to get rid of him at the
first opportunity and to make capital
against him of all the causes Of pub
lie discomfort and impatience which
are generated by the economic crisis
and budgetary deflation.
In such circumstances, man would
be required at the helm who could
appeal to the nation at large, over
the heads of all politicians of the Left
and Right, a man endowed with the
will and prestige Of a Poincare or a
Clemenceau Obviously M. Laval is
not of that type. He is born wire
puller; his special talent is to strike
compromises between opposite inter-
ests. dealing with each man individ-
ually after discovering his weak point.
Laval is, essentially, the lawyer who
never goes to the law courts, but
manages to push through settlements
behind closed doors. Look at him In
his cabinet:
Enters q Radical-Socialis Senator:
Laval tries to demonstrate to him
that he, the prime minister, Is the de-
fender of the parliamentary regime.
that he has never participated IN the