Clemenceau in U.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1922, Page 2

Clemenceau in U.S.A.

GREAT RECEPTION IN U.S.A. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NEW YORK, Nov. 22 In a speech in English which at times became inaudible, because it was made in a low voice, yet was at times so eloquent that the audience broke into - cheers, AI. Clemenceau, speaking in his characteristic manner, full of force and vitality, demanded why, immediately after the armistice was signed, England and the United States seemed to draw awav from any economic entente with France, and why the United States declined to see to the enforcement of those conditions of peace which she herself helped to set down. He said:—“How could we want to dominate Europe if we had just liberated her, and her liberation is our need England got a guarantee when the German fleet was sunk at Scapa How. The United States got a guarantee later hv the scrapping of the Anglo-Japan ese alliance. Why do you forbid ns guarantees Germany, even if she paj*> will not give up half what the treaty assured. Germany is preparing for an- „ other war! She is fabricating guns as never before. We would have gone on to Berlin, if we had known the terms, of the treaty would not he executed. I am not opposed to the rehabilitation of Germany, but if a man did not pay liis cheque, would you trust him again. I met Mr Lloyd George at Carlsbad before the war. I told him : —“Germany is preparing for war!” He did not believe it. He charged me with militarism, but when the war came, the Entente was not readv, which disproved tlie charge of militarism. England was the balancing power ill Europe. She would not have entered the war immediately if Belgium had not been mvadvaded. I felt that, after the armistice England tried to restrain us. The United States had no right to leave before the settlement of peace -was enforced, especially when pur peoples had mixed their blood on the battlefield.” , M. Clemenceau commented on the i League of Nations and Air Wilson’s : work. The audience cheered vocifer- ' ously. He added that he did not believe the League would prevent war but i it was a good beginning. He concluded with an appeal to the United States to again join France and ■ England to face Germany. Ultimately, he "said, this must be done, and they must draw un a plan for a European settlement, and make Germany live up to it. v.