The rapidity with which M. Blum was able to form a Cabinet, in face of the Austrian crisis, is but another indication of the quickness with which French public opinion coalesces in the face of external threat. It was necessary, in view of what might result from the Austrian crisis, that there should be a really authoritative government in France. M. Blum confesses himself that the new Cabinet was not such as would be wished by the majority of public opinion in France under the present exceptional circumstances, Nevertheless it represents the majority in the French parliament, and therefore, the will of the people, as expressed at the last general elections. M. Blum found he was able to form a Cabinet without the assistance of. the Communist Party, which it was at first believed would have to be given some of the Ministries, Whether he has been completely successful will only be indicated when the new government faces the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, when if a vote of confidence is recorded M. Blum's ministry may be expected to remain in power at least until present dangers have been removed. To the average observer the frequent changes in the French government occur with bewildering rapidity. Due as they are to the number of political parties in France, the various Cabinets have to depend upon coalitions for support, and these in France are not quite so lasting as they are in other countries, because of the large diversity of opinions on practically every political question. Fortunately the safety and integrity of France is a subject upon which all the parties are in agreement. In the face of any threat to France; Frenchmen cease to petty politicians and manifest outwardly that great patriotism which is always present in every Frenchman worth the name. That quality is again being shown and; serves on yet another occasion to prove the unwiseness of placing much faith in the belief that French people holding different political opinions ever allow them to influence their inherent loyalty to their country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.