FRANCE AND DISARMAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17909, 11 October 1921, Page 7

FRANCE AND DISARMAMENT

SECUEITY MUST BE SURE.

RIGHT TO REPARATION.

NO ABUSE OF STRENGTH. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. PARIS, Oct. 9. M. Briand, Prime Minister of France, delivered an important speech to his constituents at Saint Nazaire. He claimed from his countrymen the necessary authority to speak high and see far in foreign conferences. France, Mn view of her sacrifices, had the right to demand all the reparation to which she was entitled. France did not want to abase her strength, but to secure her rights without having recourse to force.

" The policy I am pursuing," he continned, " is not one that makes thunder and lightning, or impregnates public opinion with a mystic wave of enthusiasm that leads the country into a catastrophe whence she comes bleeding and mutilated, perhaps mined. I know well the difficulty of drawing up a treaty like that of Versailles. My critics, like M. Clemenceau, ought to understand when they accuse me of failing to make a success that they left the work unfinished. The Treaty of Versailles needs perpetual retouching, and must be carried out in full accord with our Allies. If the spirit of solidarity is broken then the treaty is emasculated.

" The French Government is going to the United States to find the best way tc prevent hotbeds of war being formed. It would do this if only in memory and recognition of the soldiers who crossed the ocean to fight for France. No country has a greater desire to limit armaments, but no country has a greater will to remain strong. French security must be assured; France cannot be menaced tomorrow."