The New French Government M. Laval succeeds M. Steeg as
French 'Prime Minister. He had confidently hoped to form a Ministry which would reflect the most stable voting power in the Chamber, but although he relied upon the Radical-Socialists they disappointed him, One of the groups upon which -he proposed to bestow some offices was a little too far to the right for their liking. That did not in the least prevent him from looking elsewhere. In the end he formed just such a combination as served M. Tardieu. M. Maginot again becomes Minister of War, though one really cannot imagine his being a very comfortable colleague for M. Briand, who, after a noticeable loss of popular favour, is going stronger with his policy of international concilia- tion than for a long time, and is back at his old position as Foreign Minister. In the French manner M. Tardieu is content to occupy a minor Ministry—that of Agriculture. The Oustrie financial scandal is not disposed of, and it may yet be used against some members of M. Laval's Cabinet as a useful political weapon. It is evident that the Chamber does not adequately represent French opinion, but dissolutions in France are as rare as earth- quakes. There will probably be no General Election until the Parliamentary period has run its course.
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