M. Daladier's Decrees The decrees issued by M. Daladier immediately
his new powers were granted provide for a strengthening of national defence, an increase in armaments production, and economies to offset the added strain on the national finances. The economies are to be obtained chiefly by decreasing recruit- ment for the civil service and a general tightening of Treasury control. Increased production is secured by estab- lishing a working week of 6o hours or even longer in the defence industries, priority for orders from the Defence Ministries, and a strict regulation of labour. The military decrees increase the cadres of the standing army on which units are built up in event of war and enlarge and improve the A.R.P. services. The decrees have been well received by the public, which recognises their urgent necessity ; but the industrial mobilisation and labour regulation they involve make it all the more regrettable that M. Daladier will make no concession to the Left or the groups around M. Herriot. This uneasiness is increased by rumours of a renewed demand, by Ministers and ex-Ministers who have had great influence with M. Daladier, that France should abandon Eastern Europe to Herr Hitler.
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