GREAT PEACE ADVOCATE.

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 8

GREAT PEACE ADVOCATE.

At the age of seventy M. Aristide Briand has left the political arena. He has done so before, but only for a 1 brief period, for he appeared to be indispensable in the conduct of the foreign policy of his country. Cabinets, in the French way, might fall in rapid succession, but this indomitable man, when he was not Prime Minister, was almost invariably recalled and entrusted with the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. Now, it is to be feared, his retirement is final. Like the late Dr Stresemann, the German peacemaker, he is worn out with the weight of his political burdens in his efforts to bring peace to a distracted world. To many people M. Briand’s position seemed an anomaly in France, where for the most part peace advocates are dumb in the face of the intense nationalism that pervades the country. M. Briand, however, with infinite courage, has steadily pursued his peace aims through the post-war years. It speaks eloquently for his force of character and the hold that he has on the affections of his countrymen that he has been allowed to go so far. Among his many activities ho originated what is generally called the Kellogg Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy, and he has been a keen and consistent supporter of the League of Nations. Franco has looked on with a complacent eye at his work for the League, for it is frequently asserted that the French diplomatically have been highly successful at Geneva, and have no cause for serious apprehension at any decisions that may be made there. It is stated that M. Briand’s retirement is a tragedy of failing health and failing pc fical achievement. , There is no doubt that he is a sick man, for messages from time to time have indicated that he is afflicted with seriotis organic trouble. On the political side the suggestion is made that the French people now doubt the wisdom of his foreign policy.

In September last, in company with M. Laval (the Prime Minister), M. Briand paid a spectacular visit to Berlin. Tho object was to facilitate good relations between the two countries, and tho result, after a friendly meeting with German Ministers, was a decision to set up a Franco-German economic commission to examine problems of mutual interest. This, however, will bo brought to nothing by tho latest developments, which explain the true inwardness of the feeling that has arisen in France against M. Briand, Germany, apparently, has determined to throw reparations overboard. Such a course must rouse the French people to fury. France was ready for peace while Germany disarmed and paid the reparations, but any movement in the opposite direction—any attempt by the German people to assert themselves—at once raises alarms in Paris, and thus M. Briand’s peace work naturally comes in for pungent criticism. M. Herriott probably reflects the general feeling in Franco when ho says that Dr Bruening’s declaration about war debts has “ rendered almost impossible tho establishment of loyal and reasonable Franco-German reconciliation.” In the light of what lias occurred, it may at once be admitted that on the question of war debts and reparations a period of stress and storm seems inevitable. So far as M. Briand himself is concerned, the words “ failing political achievement ” have tragic implications, but ho has wrought mightily for peace, and no one will believe that bo has built entirely in vain. Meanwhile M. Laval heads tho French Government. A much younger man, he has been a follower of M. Briand, and while ho remains in office ho will no doubt pursue the Briand policy of international goodwill. At the moment it looks as if his opportunities will be strictly limited.