I very much regret that my estimation of public opinion in France has been so very definitely refuted by the results of the Municipal and Communal Elections. Although one cannot regard these elections as giving a sure sign of public opinion in regard to parliamentary elections, it is only right to admit that they are a fairly reasonable indication of public opinion.

Having expressed my opinion on the condition of public opinion in France, it is, I think, necessary for me to give you some explanation as to why my opinion has been so recently contradicted.

In my view, the result of the recent elections is due to the following reasons.

1. Good organisation of Communist party and excellent electoral tactics.
2. The Women's Vote.
3. Lack of understanding between parties of right and centre and even Radical Socialist.

The Communist Party was exceedingly well organised all over the country. Every vote that was thought likely was sought and in a very great number of cases obtained. From the tactical point of view, their plan to ally themselves with 'L'Union Patriotique Republicaine Antifasciste' was a very clever move. The persons chosen to represent this list were known by the Communists to share their views, but the label enabled persons who were not prepared to vote Communist to show their disapproval of Vichy and Fascism generally.

It appears that the Women's Vote went almost entirely to the left. All the women of the work-people and artisans were organised to register for the vote, while the women of centre and right views in a great number of cases did not even bother to register. At all the polling booths the left parties were well organised. They took advantage of the women's inexperience of voting and directed them successfully in to the right channel, that is to say the left.

All the right and centre parties put up candidates and in so doing dissipated their forces. The right parties had very little success. The centre did not fare much better. The only party which could be considered anti-left which had success is the M.R.P. (Movement Republicaine Populaire). This party consists of the old party Democratique Chretienne, of which Georges Bidault¹ is a leading light, and certain Catholic elements. For a new party they have done very well. If they had succeeded in coming to an arrangement with other parties of the right, their success might have been much greater.

The conclusion to be drawn from these elections is, I think, that the right point of view has received a severe shock and a very definite warning. I think it is not out of the question that they will now try to come to an arrangement with the M.R.P. for the parliamentary elections.

The return from Germany of men like Daladier, Reynaud, Blum, Herriot, has also had a considerable effect. The left have already begun to say that it must not be forgotten that these men were responsible for the defeat in 1940 and that there is no reason for their reintegration in political life at the moment. Those who have been in France and who have suffered the occupation and created the resistance are much better representatives of present-day France. It is quite possible, however, that these men may succeed in playing a part. Herriot was not only elected Mayor of Lyons with a very big majority, but all his list headed the poll in Lyons.

I am enclosing certain newspaper cuttings from New York Herald and Daily Mail which show that the anti-Irish point of view of these papers is still very strong.

May the 8th and 9th were holidays here and there was great rejoicing. But one felt that at bottom there was not really much enthusiasm. The return of prisoners and deportees took a lot of the joy out of the end of the war for a great many French people. They saw their men either very ill or reduced to such a state of weakness that it will take them months to recover. Such enthusiasm as there was was very short-lived, as all the cafés were obliged to shut earlier because they had nothing more to sell. An additional ration of wine had been promised, but, as very often happens in France, did not materialise.

We have now to await the full results of the Municipal and Communal Elections and to see whether these results will oblige the Government to modify the distribution of seats in the Consultative Assembly.