THE LOST PROVINCES OF FRANCE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 10 September 1917, Page 8

THE LOST PROVINCES OF FRANCE.

M. EIBOT ON THE WRONG'OF 1871. GERMANY TO MAKE AMENDS. In the riench Sennte recently ono of the Scnntois, M. Rogisinansct, leealle'd the uneasiness felt in France throughout the different phases of the Russian revolution. There was great uneasiness, ho'.continued,' when seven Frenchmen proposed to go to Stockholm, and confer with Germans. Addressing M. ftibot, the Premier, M, Regimnnset added: "It is not an interpellation which we address to you. It is a'n invitation to define clearly your common opinion'on the general policy of France. We wish to. share all your responsibilities. We cannot admit that -at a moment, when the is still invaded Frenchmen should show tho least sign of halting." " ' • ] -

"It is necessary," the Premier.said in reply, "to share the heavy.responsibilities iinposedupon us. We need the assistance and the confidence of both House's, The Senate,jikc the country, was indignant at the thought that a party in France should contemplate the possibility of resuming international relations. Some people had. lived under the delusion that international understandings would prevent wars. The German Socialists, with rare exceptions, were from the first moment conscious accomplices of tho crimes committed against the whole of humanity and •against civilisation. Even now they approve, at least by thoir culpable silence, of the atrocities that have been .committed against the whole of civilisation mid -humanity. The public conscience, the defiance of all the laws of humanity which must not be overlooked is convinced of the moral impossibility of. French citizens, in the muldle of a war and at a time when

French territory lis 'occupied, .tailing part in conversations with such enemies, AVe —the Government—see the danger of these meetings, which cannot bring about peace. That can only be brought about by victory. Such confabulations in foreign towns eauonly create the

illusion of peace..That is dangerous. Never at any moment, especially when the struggle is hardest because the end is approaching, can we leave such an illusion in the public mind and in the Army. France has need of all her strength, especially of all her moral strength, which is a pledge of victory and treasure over which we must jealously watch,

The Nation's..Will. "On the other hand, we must not let it be thought that the Government as representing the nation, allow the direction of the country's war policy to escape them, Only the Government, as representing the sovereignty of the nation, can exerciso its right, Those are the reasons which determine our present attitude. Our sentiments, are absolutely unanimous, I gave the Chamber the reasons for the attitude of the Government nnd found that what I said corresponded not only with the almost unanimous opinion of the Chamber, but also with the general public opinion, I have nothing to add,. The resolution adopted by the Chamber was the conclusion of a still greater debate, for the Chamber faced n great question, and wished to know with what purpose we are continuing the year, It was necessary to speak clearly, As befits Frenchmen, we do not seek capitious nnd equivocal formulas. Wo rejected what was a trap laid to seductive formulas,' which did not have their origin in Petrograd, but were imported from elsewhere, and the birthplace of which

. is only too obvious.. "The words 'no annexation' cannot , mean that we have no right to de- . mand that which belongs to us, namely, l Alsace-Lorraine, which lias never ceased to be French at heart since the nhomiii- , able act which violated justice and right in .1871. There is not a single Frenchman who would be so cowardly as to accept the idea that we should not continue the war until we have regained that which is our blood, and until the provinces return to the bosom of their Mother-country. But what is meant by 'no indemnities'? If it were a question of humbling the conquered, we should not wish to have anything' to do wiili it. But no French Government could renounce the reparation of damages and atrocities after the un-heard-of devastations suffered by our territory; Think of.the protest which I would raise from the devastated departments! It is not an arbitary act, but oap of justice which is ■ our, aim. The Order of the Day which closed the debate, in the Chamber reflected' these ideas. I am sure that we shall again find them reflected in the Note which President Wilson is about to address to Petrograd. We are in agreement with the high and clear conscience of T)r Wilson,, who himself said that iu the eyes of the United States the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine would not be a conquest or an annexation, and that the reparation of the damage (loud, iu the war would not be an indemnity but a simple act of justice. ■ . ,

"Wc are thus in complete agreement'! with the conscienco of the civilised world, and it is an immense force whose full value wo ought to know and appreciate. By the side of material forces

there are moral forces fighting for us, Let us guard them jealously, The Order of the Day adopted by the Chamber added that we must demand guarantees to safeguard our children from a retiirii of such horrors. Shall p find them in territorial acquisitions, or temporary occupations of territory, or in the n'eu'tralisation .of territory? All'

icsc questions will bit'considered when

the time conies. Our. best guarantee-will bo in the formation of a Europe in which all nations belong.. to themselves,' and in which the will of a singlo man caii no'longer let loose such evils; it is not sufficient that we should be in' agreement.'lt is necessary tha,ttlie' Ger-, mans should;consent, ■' for I believe, jn the power of .ideas of justice. I believe' iii the healthy spread of just and noblf

$ £:£ ideas,-All those who have together cavrled'joii iliiai struggle to tlio cud will ftnU^lio; of.; iVbt Sci»hi'atti\g:;aftoV tlie' r y.ietory,i It is necessary that tojnorrow; tiiojj iilioiild;ioriii ;a League of Peace 4ii itlitiHiaiiic of tho- deiiiom'.itic spirit .-which 'Franco had the honour ot introducing iiito the world. . , ; .- ''■'. We nations in amis will form a society of nations. That is where - the future of humanity lies. Otherwiso wo must despair of the future.", •■