851.6363/146: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Marriner) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 14—8:50 a.m.]
160. Embassy’s despatch 3472, April 7th. According to the press the Chamber yesterday adopted with slight modifications the text proposed by the Chamber Finance Committee of article 116 of the 1933 Finance Law relating to the setting up of a commission for the purpose of studying the creation of a petroleum monopoly in France. The essential provision of this article as adopted reads as follows:
“Not less than 3 months after the promulgation of the present law a commission will fix the practical conditions of organization of a monopoly of the importation of petrol and the possibility of establishing a refining monopoly in France.”
The article provides that the conclusions of the commission will be submitted to Parliament “not later than the opening of the extraordinary session of 1933”. This session in principle usually opens towards the end of the month of October.
The passage of this proposed legislation in the Chamber of Deputies was vigorously opposed by Paul Reynaud who emphasized notably that if the plan was adopted the state would have to pay out several billion francs in indemnities for rupture of contracts.
The Chamber early this morning completed its examination of the Finance Law for 1933 and adjourned until May 16th. The Senate is expected to commence its examination of the 1933 budget shortly after it convenes on May 2 and the article in question will undoubtedly meet with strong opposition in the Upper House not only from the Right but also from members of the Government’s own party.