Clear Steerer

After failing to form a new Cabinet fortnight ago, M. Paul Emile Janson went before Parliament last week as head of another Cabinet, the first Liberal Premier of Belgium since 1884. Brussels political experts figure he has a majority of 70 in the Chamber. In effect M. Janson simply reformed the Cabinet of nonparty Economist Professor Paul van Zeeland (TIME, Nov. 1), expected by many last week to return as Premier after the courts confirm a Parliamentary vote which recently cleared him of charges in connection with a scandal at the National Bank of Belgium (TiME, Sept. 20 et ante). In his program speech last week, Premier Janson promised to continue the van Zeeland policy of keeping down prices and therefore the cost of living. He promised to carry forward van Zeeland's extension of unemployment insurance, health insurance and old age pensions.

During the War, able Liberal Janson worked under Relief Director Herbert Hoover, became Defense Minister in 1920, has since been Minister of Justice four times, today is the uncle of his own Foreign Minister, Paul Henri Spaak. Often a representative of Belgium at sessions of the League of Nations, Premier Janson is rated conscientious, independent of mind and a brilliant orator. "My new Government," he declared, "will continue Belgium's policy of steering clear of foreign alliances."

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