16 MAY 1914, Page 1

The papers of Tuesday published the results of the second

ballots in the French elections. The Socialists will have • hundred and two members in the Chamber, as against sixty- seven in the last Parliament. This increase of Socialist strength is the feature of the elections. M. Briand's new party has made no appreciable headway. The Bloc formed of the Socialists and the Unified Radicals who follow M. Caillaux will control the Chamber. The moderate Radicals and the Centre will cease to be part of the operative majority. The Socialists and the Unified Radicals may very soon fall out over the question of three years' service. The principle of three years service commands a majority in the Chamber, and the Socialists, exultant in their unprecedented strength, are likely to run their heads against this wall. The new Chamber will meet on June 1st. The Times correspondent gives its com- position as follows :—

102 Independents and Republican Socialists ... 80

138 Alliance Democratique ... .,. ... ... 100 Independent Radicals and Left Republicans 102 Progressists and Republican Federation 54 Action Liberals ...

88

Right ... ... 28 Independent ... 18