M. Flandin's Good Start France has taken peacefully the transition
from M. Doumergue to M. Flandin. The political truce continues and its perpetuation is made the more likely by the abandonment of the more controversial of the consti- tutional reforms on which the late Premier set his heart. The Cabinet itself in spite of certain changes, notably the disappearance of General Petain, is not weakened as a whole, and the declaration of policy made by the new Prime Minister on Tuesday deserved the good reception and favourable vote which it got. Government declarations, of course, are comparatively easy to draft. The test is in administration. M. Flandin suggests that his Government intends to govern, and street demonstrations by the various Right and Left organza-' tions are to be prohibited. About foreign policy the declaration says little, but there are encouraging refer- ences to the necessity for the abolition of barriers to trade. Altogether a good start has been made, and France, prepared for any crisis a week ago, is entitled to feel considerable relief.
