Evening star., 1936-05-13
Socialism i'm France.

France is about to undergo her initial
experience under a Socialist government.
The red flag is not to supplant the tri-
color as the emblem of the republic or
OF the incoming regime, for no funda-
mental changes of system are projected.
On the contrary, NJ Leon Blum, who will
become premier on June l by right of
his leadership of the largest party in the
recently elected Chamber of Deputies,
has categorically pledged that there will
be no revolutionary innovations designed
to shake confidence, either at home or
abroad, in the stability of the French
state as it now exists.
The Socialists. nevertheless, having de-
termined to accept the responsibilities
and opportunities which the electorate
has given them, plan a new deal in vital
directions To begin with M. Blum in
dicates that he will insist as premier
upon full power" There can be read
between the lines of his general declara-
ton OF policy a reflection of his belief
that semblance of dictatorial rule is
essential in the national circumstances
under which the Left groups assume au-
thority. M. Blum reminds all concerned
that his supporters were voted into power
by the masses of the people, who would
rally unreServedly to the governments
side in case of insurgency against its
To nrti %l,1 10 +
in the name of which his ministry will
take Office M. Blum has invited the
General Confederation of Labor and the
Communist party to occupy cabinet
posts.
Assurance that the impending leftist
government is hostile to devaluation of
the franc causes special qualification not
only in France. but throughout the world,
which has trembled with anxiety over
the fate of the French currency ever
since the Socialist landslide M Blum
recognizes the necessity of maintaining
a strong financial policy, although it is
matter of conjecture how long condi-
tions will permit him to abstain from
devaluation. For the moment the Social
lists attach more Importance to relief of
unemployment than to the monetary
problem. A vast public works program
is their first objective. Coincident with
the effort to cope with human misery,
the government will wage an unrelenting
struggle to preserve democracy and lib
erty' against Fascism or other subversive
influences, while dedicating itself to the
maintenance of peace through support
of the League of Nations. The Blum
government will face an early test of its
European program in dealing with the
issues raised by Mussolinis newly pro-
claimed empire" in Africa. But eco
nomic recovery is the goal upon which
the new French power wielders will con-
centrate their immediate energies.
Dyed-in-the devotee of doctrin-
aire Marxism that he is, NJ Blum is an
enlightened statesman and ardent pa
triot. He will be constrained from the
outset to prove that French destinies can
safely be reposed in political regime of
the type he personifies. That highly
conservative organ, LIE Temps, seeing no
occasion to view with alarm, finds in the
policy pronouncement of the PREMIER
designate "a sincere gesture toward con-
fidence and reinsurance" 1t is evidently
in that atmosphere of national hope and
composure that Frances first Socialist
government enters upon its grave and
arduous task.