Mr. President,

I have just been informed by the Commissioner General of the Republic in Strasbourg of a sentence of the mayor of the commune of Liocourt (Moselle) to six weeks of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 francs for complicity in false declarations of war damages in two cases.

Although the Court of Appeal of Colmar, by its decision of October 24, 1924 confirming the judgment of the Criminal Court of Metz of July 7, granted the person concerned a suspended sentence for the prison sentences, it nevertheless seems appropriate, in the public interest, to remove this municipal magistrate from his functions as mayor.

Although the law of 5 April 1884 was not introduced in the three recovered departments, the provisions of the law of 17 October 1919, on the transitional regime of Alsace and Lorraine, prescribe that elections be held in these departments in accordance with French electoral laws. Measures aimed at terminating the mandates entrusted to municipal councils or their members must therefore also be taken in accordance with the rules set out in the law of 5 April 1884.

A reasoned decree issued to the Council of Ministers is therefore necessary to carry out this revocation. If you approve of the conclusions of this report, I have the honour of asking you to be so kind as to endorse the attached draft decree with your signature.

Please accept, Mr President, the homage of my respectful devotion.
The President of the Council,
Minister of Foreign Affairs;
ÉDOUARD HERRIOT.

The President of the French Republic,

On the report of the President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Having regard to the law of 17 October 1919, relating to the transitional regime of Alsace and Lorraine, Article 8;
Having regard to the law of 5 April 1884 on municipal organisation, Article 86, amended by the law of 8 July 1908;
Having regard to the decree of the Commissioner General of the Republic in Strasbourg of 26 August 1924;
Having regard to the opinion of the Commissioner General of the Republic in Strasbourg;
Having heard the Council of Ministers;

Considering that it is in the public interest to remove from his position as mayor of the commune of Liocourt (Moselle) Mr. Debrin, who, by judgment of the Metz Criminal Court of July 7, 1924, confirmed by the Colmar Court of Appeal on October 24, 1924, was sentenced to six weeks of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 francs for complicity in false declarations of war damages in two cases;

And for the reasons of the offenses referred to in the above judgment,

Decrees

Art. 1.- Mr. Debrin is dismissed from his functions as mayor of the commune of Liocourt, department of Moselle.

Art. 2. The president of the council, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for the execution of this decree.

Done in Paris, December 5, 1924.
GASTON DOUMERGUE.

By the President of the Republic:
The President of the Council,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
ÉDOUARD HERRIOT.