FRENCH POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1922, Page 2

FRENCH POLICY.

POINCARE FOR PEACE. AUSTKALIAN AND N\Z. CAlif.E ASSOCIATION. / PARIS, Jan 19. M. Poincare, Premier of France, delivered a Ministerial statement to a crowded Chamber of Deputies. He was constantly applauded by the Right parties mingled with interruptions by the Socialists and Communists.

M. Poincare said' he would be vospf, • happy if a Pact were signed between England and France on a footing of perfect equality. It would benefit both _ countries. The new Cabinet had no ambition, except to assure Parliament’s close co-operation and respect for the treaties which wore laid down in conditions of peace. In congratulating Parliament on voting the Budget, he pointed out that they could only hope to save the Firench" finances, if Germany, on whose account France has expended many milliards of francs carries out finally her engagements to repair the damage which she has caused. It would he a scandalous injustice, he said, if France, after suffering such inexcusable aggression and by. which 10 departments of thg country were devastated, should, afer victory, have to pay the cost of/the ruin and of pensions to the victims. The Premier protested against . the shameful propaganda which , sought to picture France , as an imperialistic country. France had bought, at a high er price than others, the peace which she now desired to consolidate. France only demanded the observance of the treaty and the payment of dues. “How can France give way on this vital point” he ashed. “Germany pretends that sh e is insolvent. Then she diplomatically sqaunders her State resourcCo bat if their State is ruining itself, the German nation is getting rich. It is the entire nation which is the security for the national debt.” Referring to the Genoa Economic Conference, M. Poincare said that France would insist that the conditions laid down in the Cannes Proctocol should either be accepted or rejected by the delegates at Genoa before any discussion, and before were made that the Peace Treaty could even be indirectly interferred with at Genoa. Unless complete guarantees were given on this head, France must claim complete freedom of action. “"Wo must also arrange with Italy and England so as to prevent a resumption .of hostilities between the Turks and Greeks.” The new' Government would endeavour to maintain the friendliest relations with their late Allies, and especially the United States. “We will have a constant desire to use only the language of moderation, in frank friendship, knowing that the ' Allies will never take offence at seeing us uphold, with courteous firmness, the interests of France in the same way as they uphold their own interests. “The Supreme Council can no longer be the sole instrument for the interpretation or modification of the Versailles or other treaties.”' France could make no concession regarding the reparations. He was prepared to treat with the Allies regarding Tangier. He regretted; the fact of the guarantee being published prematurely. There could not bo in tEs pact, either protectors or protected, but only friends, who had the same interests, “We shall not only ask the Allies to judge the war criminals, but will ask Germany to hand them over. If Germany refused, it will be a fresh reason for applying the penalties including a continuance of the occupation of the left bank of the Rhine.”