Dexter pushed his way through the crowded aisle of the diplomatic gallery in the Palais Bourbon. He saw Phil, the New York reporter, who waved him over to a seat he had been saving for Dexter.
“Come to see the grand finale?”
“You bet.”
“The circus continues, the clowns from the Opposition will entertain us. Then Laval mounts his defense.”
The last of the Opposition speakers was concluding, again personally attacking Laval by calling the premier “the Louis Eleven of the suburbs, plodding along and hoping to accomplish big deeds by means of little tricks.” Laughter erupted from the Left benches; all were confident in victory.
Dexter turned his gaze towards President of the Chamber Bouisson, who announced Premier Laval, “Messieurs, the President of the Council.”
Laval walked forward carrying a thick file of papers with him, which he set down on the tribune in front of him. He began, after a brief explanation, “I asked myself what crime I might have committed against the country and against peace.”
He looked over at the Left benches. “What you have been doing is to accuse me of my politics.”
The deputies all across the Chamber grew silent and listened intently. Laval was always a fascination.
First, Laval explained that he had never given a free hand to Italy to attack Ethiopia in his meeting with Mussolini in Rome the previous January. To the contrary, he argued, at each and every turn he had warned the Italian government it had everything to gain by conciliation.
As for the agreements made with Great Britain, he had supported the ally at every key point throughout the summer and fall. He lifted and turned over document after document, enumerating the secret agreements made between the French and British armies, navies, and air forces, the meetings between their general staffs. Paper after paper was turned over on the tribune.
Laval looked out across the Chamber, holding the memoranda in his hands. “These notes were exchanged at my request, in the course of carrying out my promises of last September to the British.”
He paused, then turned to the Left benches and hurled his words at them. “What did you take me for?”
Applause started on the Right benches, moved to the center, and then a smattering from the Left benches.
Phil leaned over and whispered to Dexter, “He’s won.”
Laval continued, growing ever more relaxed and serene, and then concluded, “I am done…I have been premier only since last June. I have not asked for anything. You have given me difficult tasks.”
Applause broke out across the right and center of the Chamber as they remembered Laval’s many accomplishments. He continued, “With the help of my colleagues, all of my colleagues,” there were coarse shouts from some deputies over on the Left, and Laval turned and looked at them and reaffirmed, “yes, all of my colleagues. We have been able to defend the franc, and if the vote the Chamber is about to cast permits it, the budget will be voted on in two days.”
The premier wrapped up. “Gentlemen, the entire orientation of French foreign policy hangs in the balance. You are the representatives of the country and its responsible lawmakers. Choose!”
As Laval walked back to the government bench, applause redoubled across the Chamber, shouts of “Bravo” echoed in the room, and deputies stepped forward and shook his hand and clapped him on the back. When calm returned, President Bouisson read the order of the day upon which the government had asked a vote of confidence. It carried 283 to 261, the narrowest margin yet; nevertheless a victory. The government would continue into the new year.
Phil leaned over to Dexter, almost shouting to be heard above the din. “The best fighting speech of his career.”
Dexter replied, “Yes, very cool, courageous even.”