LATEST NEWS FRANCE MUST BE STRONG

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14771, 10 October 1921, Page 5

LATEST NEWS FRANCE MUST BE STRONG

PREMIER’S POLICY. REPARATIONS F(JR SACRIFICES. NEED FOR ALLIED UNITY, (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.> Received October 10, 11.40 a.m. PARIS, October 9. In an important specli to his constituents at St. Nazaire, M. Briand claimed from his countrymen the necessary authority to speak high and see far in foreign conferences. Prance, in view of its sacrifices, had the right to demand all reparations to which she is entitled. France does not want to abuse her strength, but to secure, her rights without having recourse to force, “The policy I am pursuing,” said the ' French Premier, “is not one that makes thunder and lightning or impregnates public opinion with a mystic wave of enthusiasm which loads the country into catastrophe from whence she qomes bleeding and mutilated, perhaps ruined. I know well the difficulty of drawing up a treaty like that of Versailes, and my critics, like M. ■ Clemenceau, ought to understand when they accuse me of failing to make it a success that they left their work unfinished. The Treaty of Versailes needs perpetual retouching. It mustbe carried out in full accord with the Allies, for if the spirit of solidarity bo broken, then the Treaty will be emasculated. The French Government is going to America to find the best way to prevent a hotbed of wars breaking out. They would do this if only in memory and recognition of the soldiers who crossed the ocean to fight for France. No country had a greater desire to limit armaments, but no country had a greater will to remain strong French security must be assured; France cannot be menaced to-mor-row."