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The article focuses on various restrictions due to power shortage in France. Theatres, concert halls, and moving-picture houses, with a few permitted exceptions, are open only on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are virtually no evening lectures or meetings of any sort, save a few on the evenings on which the theatres are open. If one goes out to dinner, he must get home by ten, or else walk, for cabs are hard to find at night after that hour. The supply of gas and electricity is rigidly limited, and any excess consumption of gas is charged for at a rate which amounts to a prohibitive fine. According to the author, the prime reason for these various restrictions is the scarcity of coal, in itself a matter of great importance.

The article presents information related to the political and economic conditions in the world during 1947. Right-wing columnists and cartoonists have been fairly gloating over the British fuel crisis. It shows what happens when a country turns its back on free enterprise. The French government during its first month in office, has weathered a number of sharp squalls without much damage, but now the barometer indicates that something like a political typhoon lies ahead. The trade unions have fact on their side in declaring that the price reduction program has had almost no effect on living standards.

The article discusses the discovery of oil in Parentis, France and what it means for the country as of September 1954. It states that in June, oil was found, as much as 3,800 billion barrels of high-quality crude oil daily. This has increased France's local oil production by 50%. Combined with those it receives from its colonies in North Africa and Morocco, however, this is not enough for domestic consumption, forcing them to buy the rest from the Middle East. Negotiations with the French government are ongoing for more work in the area, as a result.