Evening star., 1948-07-21
Crisis in France

The significance of the resignation ten
dered by PremiersSchuman and his cabinet
far transcends the occasion that brought
it about The Schuman government was
defeated by considerable margin on its
budget demand for the armed services.
But the circumstances show that the actual
dispute involved was not insuperable
Premier Schuman had asked for upward
of $1,000,0 900, 900. The Socialists, who
formed an indispensable element in his
coalition cabinet, had demanded a cut of
$4O000,000. Schuman offered to lop of
$23, 100000. The difference was only
$4,000 ,000-less than per cent OF the
total. 1t was over this relatively insignifi-
cant sum that Schuman threatened to
resign If the Chamber failed to back him.
OF itself, this surely was no adequate
reason for precipitating major political
crisis at so ticklish a moment in both
domestic and foreign affairs. The full
explanation should be sought in the
broader parliamentary situation, which
boils down to growing inability of the
various parties behind the Schuman
cabinet to work harmoniously together.
This government was born last Novem-
ber out of the urgent necessity felt by
the middle groups in the Chamber to form
a coalition in order to avert simultaneous
threats to the Fourth Republic from the
Communist extreme left and from the
extreme right led by General de Gaulle.
Those threats were at least temporarily
averted. But when it came to positive
action, the Emergencies inherent in the
coalition groups came to the fore. The
Socialists claShed with the Popular Re-
pubicans, clerical party, on the question
of religion in the schools-an old bone of
contention in French politics. The Social
lists likewise objected to the economic
program OF deflation and currency stabili-
zation set up by Schuman and backed by
the Radicals, who are really old-fashioned
Liberals with leaning toward economic
orthodoxy. Finally, Schuman's determina-
ton to compel acceptance of the London
agreement on Germany aroused resent
ment across party lines, especially since
it involved standing up to Soviet Russia
beside America and Britain even at the
risk of a war acutely dreaded by French
public opinion.
Inc upSnOG was al duFcISc Votc III tAc
Chamber that can be regarded as at least
partly an outburst of spleen rather than
of deliberate calculation. Two other facts
should be noted. First, the Gaullist faction
abstained from voting instead Of partici-
pating on either side. The other fact is
that, technically, Premier Schuman did
not incur a vote of no confidence. He
merely carried out his threat to resign II
not supported on the budget issue. This
averts the necessity for new parliamentary
elections and likewise renders Schuman
still eligible to head new cabinet If he
can get the needed support.
A practical alternative to new middle
of-the- road combination does not seem
likely. No party would presumably work
with the Communists, though they are
the largest single group in the present
Chamber. The same appears to be true
of the Gaullist bloc on the right, whose
parliamentary strength is less than its
popular support outside. Therefore, unless
the Popular Republicans, Socialists and
Radicals can get together again on some
revised basis, no government commanding
a parliamentary majority Is in sight.
But, 80 long as France has no such