Meanwhile a good deal turns upon the personal attitude of
M. Poincare, who last week seemed to be in a wholesome state of alarm, but who now seems to be a little alarmed at being alarmed. Last Sunday he said for about the thousandth time that, though he was ready to examine all the methods of reparation settlement, the Ruhr would not be evacuated until payment had been made. On Thursday, December 20th, his Government received. a check in the Chamber, but as he ultimately succeeded in riding the storm, it is improbable that the incident will greatly influence his policy. The debate was on the cost of living, which is naturally a thorny subject, as the franc has fallen to a lower point than ever before —about 85 francs to the pound. Prices are rising faster than wages. During the debate a demand was pressed for special bonuses for various classes of Civil Servants, and this was resisted by the Government. The Socialists who attacked the Government certainly had a good brief, as they pointed out that while many public servants were hard put to it to live, the Government was lending huge sums, for the manufacture of war materials, to Poland and Czecho-Slovakia.
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