The Front Populaire In his speech on Sunday to the
Radical Federation of Orleans, M. Blum gave a finely reasoned exposition of the 'present situation of the Front Populaire ; as a feat of explanation and persuasion ' it might stand as an example of democratic statesmanship. The weakness of the Front Populaire at the moment is the uneasiness inspired in the Radicals by the tactics of the Communists and the continuance of the strike movement. On Sunday there were still 27,000 workers on strike. The restiveness of the Radicals is the more important on account of the meeting of their Congress this week and because of their well-known tendency to overthrow coalitions of which they are members. M. Blum explained to them that if they deserted him now, they would find themselves faced with the alternative of that Government of National Union which is as dangerous to them as to the Socialists. He explained his leniency to the strikers by showing that the opponents of the Front Populaire would be only too glad to see M. Blum proceeding against his own supporters with force that was out of place in a democratic State. His leniency and patience, though they alarm the Radicals, have so far justified themselves that two more of the strikes have now been settled and the men themselves have begun to see the danger of such methods. At the same time, M. Blum's insistence on the necessity for union and loyalty at this moment has persuaded the Communists to write a contrite and conciliatory letter to M. Daladier, the Radical leader, proclaiming, among other things, their belief in private property, when it is the reward of thrift and hard work.
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