"Majority of Enemies"

Speaking at Metz, President Doumergue deplored last week the continued weakness of the franc, lauded "the courageous efforts now being made toward stabilization" (TIME, May 31) and concluded his address with a dramatic warning: "If these efforts prove futile, France alone will not go down! Such a catastrophe would seriously affect the world economic situation for many years."

Three days later the Chamber of Deputies reassembled after a recess, and Premier Briand found himself once more baited by irreconcilable and stubborn "blocs" among his nominal "Coalition of the Left" supporters.

A large Left contingent declared itself opposed to both the Franco-U.S. debt settlement (TIME, May 10, THE CABINET) and to the steps being taken by Finance Minister Peret to stabilize the franc. Since this opposition was clearly based upon mere party politics and ignored the crucial state of the general fiscal situation, Premier Briand tried the bold stroke of appealing to his enemies of the Right and such of his Left friends as remained faithful, to unite with the Centre in giving him a vote of confidence.

Unquestionably the prestige gained by the Cabinet from Abd-El-Krim's defeat (see p. 12) as well as the Right's desire to save the franc aided Premier Briand in securing his vote of confidence 320 to 209. All fiscal debate was thereby postponed for another week and the Cabinet's overthrow again avoided by a hair.

Rumors circulated the thought that M. Briand would attempt to draw support from this unstable "majority of enemies" in an effort to gain at least temporary backing for his "save the franc" program. During this hectic week, Premier Briand found time to deny once more that he is engaged to be married--after 64 years of bachelorhood. He told reporters of three young Manhattan women who recently sent him a joint proposal--he to choose from their inclosed photographs which he preferred to wed. "I deemed their letter a most charming and delicate attention," said M. Briand, "yet I could not reply without establishing a dangerous precedent . . . helas!"