FRANCE AND TREATY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13909, 10 November 1919, Page 6

FRANCE AND TREATY.

Exceptional interest was taken in the speech in view of the anxiety aroused in France by the discussions in the United States' Senate. Newspapers are asking what guarantee France will have against future "invasion if America refuses to ratify the Treaty, and especially if it refuses to join the League of Nations. M. Clemenceau appealed for consideration of the Treaty as a whole, emphasising that the Allies throughout the negotiations had aimed at the realisation of the idea of the solidarity of the nations. Referring to the outbreak of the war, he paid a glowing tribute to Britain, who, although there was no binding ensagement between the British and French Governments, aided France immediately Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium. (Cheers.) France would never forget the services of America, on which she counted in peace as she did in war. M. Clemenceau denied that he did not care about the vote of the American Ren- , ate. He declared that even if there had been no written treaty, he would still rely on America. He refused to be associated with any criticism of Mr Wilson, or to say, anything which would hinder Mr Wilson in his .Treat task. M. Clemenceau proceeded to argue in r favour of the ratification of the Treaty, declaring that the plenipotentiaries in a few months had produced a scheme which might be imperfect, but which perhaps would take a greater place in history than the Turks' capture of Constantinople. Referring to the spirit of solidarity animating the plenipotentiaries, he recalled Mr Lloyd George"s question, "Would you have won the war without Oreat Britain's help?'* His (M. Clemenceau's) answer was "No!" He insisted upon the Treaty's character of solidarity, declaring that though France saved the world at the Marne and Verdun, she could not have continued the war without the aid of the Allies. This Allied solidarity in the war should continue in peace. It was impossible that the French, who had sacrificed their blood in the war, would not consent to other sacrifices in neace, relying, on the Government and Parliament to give them a peace worthy of those who fought. M. Clemenceau said he did not wish to insist upon a military guarantee. He pointed out that tTie League of Nations still had no military forces at its disposal, and added: Moreover. T refuse to demobilise a single man to defend Germany against Poland. The chief value of frontiers was the people behind them. It would be vain for France to have a better frontier if her policy was such as to weaken her. "We have now a good frontier," he continued. "If it extended to the Rhine we should have German territory before and behind us." He repeated that France had conquered with the Allies, and it was impossible to separate from them after the victory. He failed to understand those who said that France ought to present her claims, and. if unsatified. then break with the Allies. He knew that none of the Allies would make unacceptable proposals to France. He referred with deep emotion to the heroism of the British, Canadian. Australian, and American troops. He particularly recalled the sacrifices of Australia, and exclaimed : Are we to refuse to these men—Mr Hughes, Sir Robert Borden, and Mr Massey—the gratitude we owe them? Thev belong to the British Empire; but the same blood is in their veins. Never would England secure from them a vote contrary to the interests of their own countries. Well, I found them to be. friends of France. (Cheers.) Must there not have been something in the minds and hearts of these men from the confines of the Pacific to induce them to spring to arms and come to us equal in courage to anything known hitherto in history? Do you not realise the solidarity which is being created,, and that it is "folly to reproach us with having introduced them into the Council of the League of Nations? (Cheers.) M. Clemenceau replied, in passing, to the chaise that the Government had abandoned the French language. He pointed out that Britain, since her 18th century, had increased her population by from 200,000,000 to -300,000,000. Her language at present was the . most widely spoken in the world, and Britain's plenipotentiaries considered that they owed it to their people to speak their own language. "Could we refuse it,' apart from the spirit of generosity .towards the men who came to shed their blood for us?" he asked, and concluded by saying : The Allied Governments had our word. We will keep it, and if there are responsibilities to take. I will take them.