Word: schuman
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...happened this way: Léon Blum and his Socialists had rebelled last month against measures like decontrol of consumer goods, the free market for gold and currency. To save his Cabinet, Schuman had made a costly concession. He agreed to a pet Socialist plan: withdrawal of 5,000-franc notes, which supposedly would smoke out illegal currency hoards. As soon as the announcement was made, prices went up drastically...
...Schuman thereupon had to reimpose many controls. Now, could he reverse the trend? Said 28-year-old Pierre Guiton, a history teacher, last week: "I hope he succeeds . . . but I have no confidence." Few Frenchmen, indeed, knew enough about their Premier to judge his mettle...
...Sides of a Christian. Schuman used a phrase last week which was a clue to his plans, his talents and his character. He declared that France must acquire "le climat psychologique de la baisse," which could be interpreted as "the art of sinking." For Schuman's job was not only to deflate prices; he had to deflate the grand illusions, the bitterness, the suppressed (and sometimes open) hysteria, and indeed the sense of frustrated tragedy which France had acquired in three wars and on which both the Communists and De Gaulle thrive. Schuman had to show France...
...inclination and character, at least, Schuman was fitted for his task. He had few friends. He was so shy that he blushed when he was paid a polite compliment. The French language, which is made for oratory, in his speeches sounded plain and calm. His favorite cartoon character was Ferdinand the Bull. In a land resounding with the Marseillaise and the Internationale, Schuman said quietly: "I have a poor ear for music." He was a part of the sturdy old antediluvian France...
...Schuman liked to say, "I am a technician, not an ideologist." He had a profound distaste for "isms." Therefore he was capable of as many twists and turns as he found necessary in the daily business of saving the Republic. But at the same time, Schuman never lost his quiet humanity nor his faith in men-qualities which distinguish him from the "Coco" doctrinaires of the Left and the gauntly pessimistic De Gaulle on the Right...