The French Government
On Thursday, December 4th, M. Tardieu's Government was defeated in the Senate on a motion expressing dis- appointment with both foreign and financial policy. In the background were general dissatisfaction at the alleged political connexions with the Oustric crash, and reports of other doubtful finance. M. Tardieu resigned. When it became known that M. Poincare, on grounds of health, did not " choose to stand," the Prime Ministership was offered to M. Louis Barthou, and it was thought that a Cabinet of "Republican concentration" could be formed. He found the task beyond him. The pro- posed inclusion of the Mann group was enough to frighten away the Radical Socialists. M. Pierre Laval, a close friend of M. Briand, who is hardly identified with any party, has also tried to form a Cabinet, but he too has failed. Prolonged uncertainty may be expected. We may conceivably yet see M. Poineare providing the neces-
sary cement for a platform of narrow patriotism, even though he does not really wish to become Prime Minister.
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