M. Doumergue's Success M. Doumergue may turn out to have
been saved by the ex-service men. He has put them, in the course of his economy campaign, to the severe test of proposing a reduction of 3 per cent, in their pensions—with the exception of the totally disabled, who will lose nothing— and they show every sign of accepting the cut with com- mendable public spirit. The French Premier has shown great wisdom in appointing a prominent ex-service man as his Minister, of Pensions, and his own appeals to the ex-soldiers have been admirably conceived. Since Labour as a whole is receiving the public works proposals of M. Marquet, the Minister of Labour, with approval the dissentient civil servants look like being left in an isola- tion which will make it possible for the Government to cope with them. If they had been joined by the ex- soldiers the outlook would have been very different. M. Doumergue's economy measures have not quite disposed of the deficit, but the courage with which he has faced the situation is producing a new feeling of confidence.
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