FOREIGN OPINION

The election of Mr. Doumergue

The German press, commenting on the Versailles election, generally notes that the left-wing cartel has shown itself to be disunited, which risks having a certain influence on the subsequent development of the political situation.

The socialist Vorwaerts nevertheless writes: Nothing can change the fact that the French left has suffered a significant setback. There can be no doubt that the right, which, after the result of the elections and the resignation of Mr. Millerand, had lowered its ears a lot, will be encouraged again by the result of the presidential election.

Mr. Herriot, as president of the Consell, will be in a difficult situation, more difficult than if the operation of the left in the presidential election had been more successful. It is to be hoped that the left will be more united on material questions than on personal questions. However, this incident does not change the turnaround in principle that has taken place in French politics.

The democratic Berliner Tageblatt, for its part, declares: The domestic political significance of the turnaround is clear: it creates a situation that will in no way undermine the political enlightenment resulting from the popular vote of May 11. The majority in the Chamber resulting from this vote will certainly not show excessive confidence in the new head of state. What is decisive for the further development of French politics is who will assume the presidency of the Council. This is also the angle from which one must consider the question of what consequences the decision of the French National Assembly could have for French foreign policy. It can be said that if complications do not arise in the question of the constitution of the cabinet, nothing will change in the situation for the time being.

In England

The English press particularly emphasizes the fact that the new President of the Republic is a Protestant. "He is," says the Daily Telegraph, "the first French head of state since Henry IV to be a Protestant."

On the whole, British opinion is mostly glad to see the end of a crisis which has been delaying the settlement of post-war problems.

The Daily Chronicle writes: The political horizon of France is at last clearing... Never since the Armistice has the moment been so favourable for a wise and judicious settlement which will inaugurate a new phase in Europe.

Similarly, the Daily News: Let us hope that now that the election of Mr. Doumergue is a fait accompli, the political intrigues of persons who have clouded this election will disappear, and that the new Government will at last be free to devote itself to the important task, as important to France as to the rest of Europe, of restoring some order and intelligence to European politics.

In the Observer, Mr. Garvin writes: The new President has been quick to declare that he will stand above party and that he will find his inspiration in the wishes of Parliament. In these conditions, it is neither a victory of the left nor a victory of the right. One can only speak of a victory of the Constitution.

In America

The Sun writes: Mr. Doumergue's career has faithfully followed the progress of radicalism against the conservative spirit. Mr. Doumergue was elected for two reasons:
1° Because the majority of the National Assembly wanted the President of the Republic not to be elected by a party;
2° Because the new President enjoys great personal popularity in the country.

For its part, the New York Tribune declares that the election of Mr. Doumergue "is an indication that, from now on, the presidency of the Republic will remain outside party politics."

In Czecho-Slovakia

For the Prager Presse, the cartel of the left has lost none of its power. Mr. Herriot, writes this newspaper, will have plenty of time to finish settling the most pressing internal questions before tackling the problem of reparations, since Germany will not have voted before the end of July on the projects intended to ensure the execution of the Dawes Plan.

Weather forecasts
Forecast for the day of June 15th State of the sky. In the North-East and the East, fairly fine cloudy to very cloudy weather, with drops of water, improving in the afternoon. In the other regions, fog in the morning in places, fine cloudy to very cloudy weather. Temperature. Generally rising, especially in the western half. In Paris, Paris, maximum 19°.