FRANCE: Poincar

Prime Minister & Finance Minister Raymond Poincaré let it Jbe known in one of his famed incisive speeches that he has no intention of resigning from either of his posts. Certain of his foes, attempting to get rid of him, had spread a rumor to the effect that he was about to retire. Said “Papa” Poincaré: “I would regard it as desertion to abandon now the position to which I have been called. I shall not resign unless the Chamber refuses me their confidence on some matter on which I ask it, either by a vote which menaces the work of financial reform which has been begun or on an essential point of my policy and convictions.

“My decision is also that of my colleagues.”

Then, his grizzled bewhiskered chin wagging in time to his volubility, his clenched fist characteristically hammering the air, he warned his Cabinet colleagues that they must cooperate or get out.

“I will accept the collaboration of any architects in the work we are doing, but I claim the right to choose my own contractors and my own materials. It was due to the formation of a Government of national union that our broken credit has been so quickly strengthened and that the country has consented to make the sacrifices necessary to its salvation. If that union be broken it will mean not only that everything that has been done will be compromised, but that it will be destroyed.”