Policy

It is no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the more serious-minded natives of the world were focussed upon France during the past week. The virtual ousting of M. Millerand from the Presidency (TIME, June 23), the tension of Parliamentary and unparliamentary situations, the Radical rivalry over the succession to the Presidency, the elation of the Left, the bitterness of the Right, the election of M. Doumergue as Chief Magistrate of France, the formation of a Cabinet by M. Edouard Herriot--all these events attracted the world's attention and the official declaration of the new administration's policies was awaited with great interest.

Quite naturally the men who are to direct the destinies of France were in the optic field of the concentrated eyes of the eame element that awaited the citation of the Government's credo. President Doumergue, who hails from the Midi (Southern France), found time to say that he was a bullfighting fan; he therefore becomes the bullfighting President. Corpulent Premier Herriot, who is fond of a pipe, sought momentary relaxation in a Bohemian cafe where he was found eating sauerkraut--a happy augury for better Franco-German relations--and he therefore became "the corpulent, pipe-puffing, kraut-eating Premier of France."

The policy of the Herriot Government, as shown by the past week's dicta, does not depart widely in substance from that pursued by the Poincare Administration, which, having followed an arbitrary policy in foreign and domestic affairs, was at length to display unmistakable moderation. The spirit of the policy to be followed by Premier Herriot and his colleagues is by all odds more conciliatory than any that has been shown in France since the days of Premier Briand (1921). In so far as this spirit of conciliation is concerned, the Herriot policies diverge considerably from those of M. Poincare: France's complexion is besmeared with refreshing cosmetics instead of the old war paint.

Presidential Policy: Premier Herriot opened the session of the Chamber of Deputies by reading a speech from President Doumergue:

"Respectful of the Constitution of which I ought to be the guardian, I shall never exceed the role which it assigns me* . . . . My most ardent desire is with the aid of Parliament and the country to realize the peace founded on justice which both so much desire, and to that end within the measure of the Constitution, I shall place at the service of France, republic and democracy, which I have served during thirty years without weakening, the experience I have gained and my absolute devotion."

The President also said: "Our country nourishes no dangerous ambition. It hopes only to obtain payment of the reparations which have been solemnly promised and the guarantees of security which will not be illusory. In the Experts' Report, to which, as proof of our conciliatory spirit we have hastened to give our adherence, the problem of reparations seems to be evolving toward a solution. For that, however, it is essential that the debtor give as large proof of good will and good faith as the creditor and that this proof be given by facts and not by simple promises without assurance for the morrow."

Ministerial Policy (statement by Premier Herriot) : "At home and abroad this Government will have only one aim--to give to this country by labor and by progress the peace which it has so nobly merited." This was the way in which Premier Herriot epitomized his Government's policy. Points concerning domestic affairs in the Premier's speech:

1) Withdrawal of the French Embassy at the Vatican.

2) Enforcement of law relative to religious congregations.

3) Granting of amnesty to political prisoners and outcasts.

4) Reinstatement of dismissed railway employes.

5) Suppression of Poincare's decree laws (TIME, Feb. 18, et seq.).

6) Reform of the electoral law.

7) Extension of local administration.

8) Repeal of special laws in effect for Alsace and Lorraine, suppression of the Alsace-Lorraine Commissariat, complete inclusion of Alsace and Lorraine in the French Administration.

9) Continued reconstruction in the devastated areas with economy and safeguards against individual cupidity.

10) Maintenance of eight-hour working day.

11) Development of industry and commerce.

12) Introduction of. national assurance against unemployment and old age.

13) Increased facilities for public education.

In the sphere of foreign affairs Premier Herriot's speech contained the following points:

1) Reduction of compulsory military service, compatible with "such conditions as will not allow France to be at any moment unprotected or enfeebled." 2) Affirmation of France's treaty rights. "France expressly repudiates any thought of annexation or conquest. What she seeks is security with dignity and independence. What she seeks is peace, for herself first of all and .for other nations also. We must speak without equivocation. Our democratic government will defend with firmness the rights of our country as inscribed in treaties. We have the right to reparations and we will seek them in the name of justice." 3) Tacit support of Germany's entrance into the League of Nations as soon as she "shall have conformed with the terms of the Versailles treaty."

4) No evacuation of the Ruhr until after the Experts' Report has been put into effect and stipulated guarantees have been handed over to competent authorities (TiME, Jan. 7 et seq.).

5) Control of arms in Germany through the League of Nations.

6) General support for the League. Said the Premier: "We will do all we can to strengthen the League of Nations and all international institutions of information, conciliation and arbitration. We will practice a policy of equitable commercial accords."

7) Granting of amnesty to German political prisoners, reinstatement of officials and others exiled from the occupied areas, except those guilty of offenses against the safety of French life.

8) Recognition of Russia after the taking of "certain precautions and the assembling of certain information which is already being collected before a formula of recognition is drafted which must take care of French interests."

* President Millerand was ousted because he illegally overstepped the authority which the Constitution confers on a President of France.