A Parliamentary Scene

Turning to the Left to promise them a discussion on the Ruhr policy, M. Poincare, the Premier, said: " Were I only sure of your wisdom . . ." " We are sure your policy in the Ruhr is folly!" said M. Vailliant-Courturier, communist deputy. " You are a prisoner of Daudet [royalist leader]. I would like to know what chantage [political blackmail] he exercises on you!" cried communist Deputy Berthon. " That word shall be your shame! " retorted Poincare. " No agent of Germany can insult me," yelled Daudet; and the air was rent with cries of "Slacker!" "Liar!" " Traitor!' " Blackmailer! "

Then Berthon addressed Poincare: " Knowing the habits of Daudet, aren't you afraid he will renew the campaign he led against you when you were candidate for President ? " Poincare: " You are an abominable scoundrel! " Pandemonium broke loose, and it was some time before the Premier could again address the Chamber: " This man has dared to say that there exist against me letters which I fear may be published. He is a liar! " At this point the President of the Chamber was obliged to suspend the session.

Half an hour later the Deputies reassembled and Berthon, in stating that he did not mean to insult the Premier, unfortunately brought the name of Paul Deschanel into his invective against the royalists. A storm of protest broke out the moment the dead President was mentioned. When this outburst had been quieted the communists framed a motion to censure Poincare, and he left the Government Bench.

The defence was now taken up by M. Maginot, War Minister, who questioned Berthon about the letters. Berthon denied that he had ever mentioned them. " You lie! " hissed the Minister of Mars. This was the signal for a general rush of the communists to the Government Bench. An usher venturing to interfere received a black eye. The attack was repulsed by the President of the Chamber, who again suspended the session. When the Chamber was reoccupied by its members Berthon apologized, and the incident closed. The Governors of the Banks of England and France are conferring in Paris over the $310,000,000 debt owed by France to England.