Going, Going -

FRANCE

Going, Going --

The political week in France was hectic.

Acting upon the formal advice of MM. Doumergue and Painleve, respectively Presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, President Alexandre Millerand sent for M. Edouard Herriot, Socialist Mayor of Lyons and leader of the Left Bloc.

An exchange of views took place between President and Mayor. According to the Elysee communique, no 'disagreement was expressed upon questions of policy. But when the President asked M. Herriot to form a Cabinet the latter raised the question of the President's resignation. M. Millerand declared he could not discuss the question--he had been elected President of France for seven years and he intended to remain President for that period and to defend to the last the French Constitution which had fixed at seven years the Presidential mandate.

After some delay the President called to the Palais d'Elysee M. Frederic Franc,ois-Marsal, ex-Minister of Finance, collector of old china, soldier, sportsman, and requested him to form a Cabinet. M. Franc,ois-Marsal accepted the task and formed a Ministry:

Premier and Minister of Finance-- M. Franc,ois-Marsal.

Foreign Affairs--Edmond Lcfcbvre Du Prey.

Justice--Senator Antony Ratier.

Interior--Justin De Selves.

War and Pensions--Andre Maginot.

Navy--Desire Ferry.

Labor and Hygiene--Paul Jourdain.

Public Works--Yves Lc Trocquer.

Education--M. Landry.

Commerce--Pierre Flandin.

Agriculture--M. Capus.

Devastated Regions--Louis Marin.

Colonies--Jean Fabry.

Premier Franc,ois-Marsal then made the following announcement:

"It is not a Government program that we shall bring into Parliament on Tuesday. It will be only a message from the President of the Republic. That is our only mission.

"We shall add a short declaration to it, saying that our presence is solely to permit the Chief of State, in accordance with the Constitution, to make his voice heard and to see that legality, the very base of the Republic, is respected to the smallest detail.

"We shall invite the representatives of the nation to express their sentiments, and if they are pronounced against the Chief of State, that will end it. The inevitable rites shall be accomplished. But if, as I still hope, they reflect and refuse to comit a fault which also is an injustice, we shall be at their disposal to give all explanations. But what matters is that order and law shall remain intact."

The new Cabinet became known as "Guardians of the Constitution" or "Millerand's Messengers." So far as the Chamber of Deputies was concerned, President Millerand's term of office was up. But with regard to the Senate, the situation was obscure. It was felt, nevertheless, that the latter body, even if it supported Millerand, would not go to the length of dissolving the Chamber of Deputies. The President was, therefore, thought wise for renting an apartment in Paris.