According to the Paris correspondent of the Times, in spite
of official contradictions the prevailing impression is that the French Cabinet as at present constituted will not long survive the opening of the Chambers. The retention of office by MM. Clemenceau (Minister of the Interior), Briand (Minister of Public Worship), and Thomson (Minister of Marine) may be regarded as certain, and the elevation of the first-named to the Premiership is considered probable. This, however, need not involve any modification in the home or foreign policy of the Govern- ment, though more vigour and promptitude may be looked for in its realisation. The reticence of the Government is natural in view of their being unable to forecast the temper of the Chambers, but it is clear that recent events in connexion with the Separation Law have not strengthened the hands of the advocates of moderation, and that whatever differences may
exist in the Cabinet on other subjects, they are, as M. Clemenceau declared, unanimous as to the enforcement of the law in its integrity. But it is not the Separation Law, but the Income-tax Bill, which in all probability will be the burning question in the Chambers when Parliament reassembles.
Previous page
