St. Croix Tribune

Paris: The French Government crisis precipitated by the resignation of the cabinet headed by Camille Chautemps became grave tonight following refusal of former President Doumergue to attempt formation of a cabinet. With 400 persons already under arrest and sixty more nursing injuries as a result of turbulent Royalist rioting against 'Stavisky Cabinets,' few politicians appeared willing to assume the reins of the Government. President Lebrun was thus left to continue his hunt for an honest Frenchman willing to shoulder the burden of the Premiership while the Stavisky bond fraud remains in the public mind. Domergue gave his advanced age and frail health as reasons for declining the offer, but voiced willingness to do all in his power to assist any ministry in meeting the crisis. Former Premier Edouard Herriot, whose name is most frequently mentioned as President Lebrun's next choice, finds that his prospects are already compromised by his insistent demands for 'payment of the French debt to the United States.' Should Herriot fail or refuse, it was believed either former Premier Edouard Daladier or Henry Cheron would be called. It was expected a choice would be announced before the night was over.

Herriot, whose government fell when he advocated payment of the French debt to the United States, consulted with President Lebrun this morning. He left the palace, however, without making statement. Herriot took a prominent part throughout the day in secret conferences of radical socialists leaders. Conservative politicians were hopeful that the present crisis would mean a marked swing to the right in French Government, and many expressed belief if the Stavinsky affair which caused downfall of the Chautemps Government would not be forgotten unless a marked government reorganization took place. Former Premier Andre Tardieu, who has repeatedly attacked the Chautemps Ministry in connection with the Bayonne fraud, said 'the only solution of the crisis is a National Union Cabinet.'