Six Little Words

"Within the scope of existing laws."

On these six little words Premier Poincare staked the existence of his Government and won.

After the protracted struggle in the Chamber of Deputies (TIME, Feb. 18 et seq.) the Emergency Taxation Bill, which had since the fall of the franc become indispensable to the negotiation of the loan of $100,000,000 from J. P. Morgan & Co., faced the possibility of defeat in the Senate. There the Government rested on a doubtful majority of ten.

The Bill gives the Government power to issue decrees: 1) cutting departmental expenses; 2) reorganizing the public services; 3) abolishing the parochial administration of justice and jails; 4) regrouping State and Departmental functions so as to effect an estimated economy of a billion francs in four months.

The Senate Finance Committee, jealous of the grant of such wide powers, inserted the six words into the bill. Their effect would have been to nullify the bill and Poincare refused to accept them.

In this emergency, President Millerand, who exercises far more power in French politics than is generally realized, came to the support of Poincare, although the President and the Premier have not always been the best of friends.

The two days' battle in the Senate was momentous. On the first day, the energetic little Premier disposed of the concern over the fall of the franc by exulting that the "counteroffensive" of the Bank of France had routed the enemy. He announced that relations with Ramsay MacDonald were good, that the U. S. was cooperating "with France, and then sat back to listen.

All next day he listened, from 9:30 a.m. till 7 p.m., while Senator after Senator rose to the attack. The strongest assault on his position was made oy Senator Henri de Jouvenal, proprietor of the Matin, who pointed out that the British economies had not required decrees for their accomplishment. Finally at 7 o'clock, facing a talked-out and hungry Senate, he rose and announced his intention of delivering a two-hour speech. He offered his hearers the choice of submitting to it then, or of waiting until after dinner. The Senate chose to dine, and returned in a mellower frame of mind.

Poincare's speech was eloquent, logical and effective. He urged the financial reforms in clear, concise language. He disposed of de Jouvenal's arguments by a bold attack on the red tape and machinery of recent laws, and then let the vote take place. It was another of Poincare's dramatic victories. The Senate, by a majority of 13, 154 to 141, voted out the six little words, and the Bill was passed.

Poincare's character recalls that of Roosevelt. Bristling, energetic, thorough, he has a mania for documentation and official papers, which he reads for diversion. He writes in his own hand from ISO to 200 letters a day. He goes into the French election in the unique position of urging himself on the country as the best Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of the Interior. His is not a single-track mind, but he is a one-man government.

Career. Born in 1860 at Bar-le-Duc, Lorraine, of well-off bourgeois, he entered the Chamber of Deputies in 1887, making no speeches for two years. President of the French Republic in 1914, he was succeeded in 1919 by Deschanel, and became Prime Minister in 1921, succeeding Aristide Briand, whose popularity faded when he was photographed playing golf at Cannes with Lloyd George. He is a statesman of the new type, a man of all the bourgeois virtues, a businessman, a jurist, a staunch republican.

Personal Appearance. Well-knit, sturdy, with an open countenance, vivacious eyes and an ever-ready smile. Alert in gesture, speaking in clear, sharp tones, he uses precise language, has the gift of improvisation. "His eloquence is as clear as the subjects are obscure."

Outstanding Characteristics. Clarity of thought, native sagacity, tenacious memory, practical commonsense, moderation, intellectual courage, a prodigious faculty for work (he speaks of "tedious leisure"). He has written poetry, is (unlike Roosevelt) no sportsman, and doesn't play games or smoke. He has written books on Literature, Art, Politics.