More Change in France Ever since M. Chautemps had to
reconstruct his Govern- ment, omitting the Socialists from his Cabinet, it has been clear that a further reconstruction would be necessary before long. France's financial difficulties are too serious to be dealt with by any but summary methods, and summary methods cannot be applied except by an administration of the widest possible scope. M. Chautemps wants drastic powers for dealing with the situation by decree, the Socialists are unwilling to grant such powers to a Cabinet in which they are not represented, and there seems therefore small doubt that before these words are in print M. Chautemps will have resigned. The best, probably, that could happen to France (and what is the best for France is the best for Europe) would be the return of M. Blum as Prime Minister with a Cabinet going at least far enough to the Right to include M. Reynaud, and possibly so far to the Left as to take in at least one Communist. All France realises that a comprehensive National Government is essential for France, but the various political parties hold tenaciously to their imagined rights ; the Socialist vote which withdrew M. Blum and his Socialist colleagues from the last Chautemps Cabinet is one of the chief causes of the present crisis. In the circumstances a swift reconstruction is possible, and it is earnestly to be desired, for confusion in France might encourage Herr Hitler to dangerous interference in Central Europe.
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