Interminable Crisis

Two months ago, Premier Theunis decided to resign and resign he did on Apr. 5. From then dates a prolonged Cabinet crisis.

Would the Socialist M. Emile Van der Velde accept the Premiership? Certainly. But neither the Catholics nor the Liberals would support him and, since a coalition government was the only one possible, M. Van der Velde had to renounce the Premiership.

Then the Count Charles de Broqueville would form a Cabinet. Yes, but he could not.

Well, then, M. Aloys Van de Vyvere could certainly be depended upon. He could. For the first time, a tremor of enthusiasm moved the Belgian people when Premier Van de Vyvere formed a Cabinet and led it into the Chamber of Deputies. The Liberals, under the leadership of Burgomaster Adolphe Max of Brussels, eyed suspiciously the new Government," A little too Catholic," was the comment. "We want a 'business Cabinet','' hissed some. The result was that the Government failed to obtain that number of votes without which no Government can exist. M. Van de Vyvere resigned (TIME, June 1).

Belgium grew impatient. Burgomaster Max lost much popularity. He became the "goat" of the situation. "It is all his fault," grumbled the people along the streets. "He should have supported Van de Vyvere," declared the indignant. "Well," philosophized the exasperated, "let him try to form his 'business Cabinet'." He did, could not, resigned.

Political physicians declared the crisis was still "doing nicely."