The Socialist Front The international situation no doubt also helped
M. Blum to secure the remarkable vote of confidence which closed the French Socialist Party congress in the early hours of Wednes- day morning. Of the 5,000 or more members of the congress, 4,500 supported a resolution approving the conduct of affairs by the Blum Government during its tenure of office, and 3,500 voted for continued socialist co-operation in the present coalition cabinet. The Chautemps Government, though branded by the extremists as poor Ersatz, will therefore go on. The general lack of sympathy with the Paris hotel strike is symptomatic of the swing away from the extreme left which has recently made itself felt in France ; and the mixed radical-socialist complexion of the present government reflects this trend pretty accurately. The trade union move- ment in France has made phenomenal strides during the past two years. But the French trade unions, compared with their English opposite numbers, are still weak both in organisation and finance. After their triumphs of last year, they have done well to call a halt. Consolidation, rather than advance, is what the French Labour movement needs at present ; and so long as M. Blum retains its confidence, there is little danger of any rash attempt to force the pace. * * * *
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