The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1923. A GREAT FRENCHMAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1923. A GREAT FRENCHMAN.

The retirement of M. Briand owing to failing health removes from politics,

one of the great figures in Europe for a quarter of a century. His influence lias been directed unfailingly in recent years towards the promotion I of understanding between those tvurI openii Powers which have always en- ! tertained in thinly-concealed distrust I ' of one another. The Times emphasised i the importance of his prestige in Europe and his power to -mould pu/me ! opinion in France when it described him as “the. man who more than anybody else in France stands for sane internationalism.” M. Briar, mus for the past seven years been the | controlling spirit in French foreign policy. From his traditional posit as Foreign Minister he lias, unperturbed by the passing of successive Governments, exercised on behalf of bis country a persuasive, a convincing, and a whole-hearted plea for goodwill in the relations of the- nations of Europe. The foreign policy of M. Briand became the foreign policy of France. Those who are aware of .the email enthusiasm with which a section of the French deputies regard his conception of a United States of Europe will fully realise how dominant his influence has been. M. Briand, in fact, is more respected than loved by many of bis countrymen. Many of them are distrustful of his devotion to a belief that is inimical to their own inherent nationalism. His genius in diplomacy has been constantly directed to the service of Europe, not in the direction of strengthening the position of France as a powerful unit among the nations, and that is a type of cosmopolitanism which many Frenchmen cannot and do not wish to understand. His defeat last year in his candidature, for the Presidency was interpreted by M. Briand as an indication that his influence was waning. He desired to retire immediately from the Foreign Office, hut when this prospect loomed the French press and people became insistent in their appeals thait he should not forsake them. After -that hitter experience he gained courage from the renewed expressions’!of confidence and esteem with which he was greeted in 'the Council of, the League of. Nations, but ill health and a weakening of selfconfidence left their marks. , The recent political developments in France must Inevitably have chagrined him in their indication that his country does, not share fully his own desire for the betterment of conditions in Europe rather than of Trance in particular. The loss of M. Briand’s services, if indeed his decision is irrevocable, will fall not alone upon his own country hut upon Europe, for the League of Nations has known no more gifted and sincere inteinationalist. True, he has left Fiance committed to a foreign policy that is necessary to the peace of Europe, and it is all but inconceivable thait any deviation will be made from the policy, but with the Disarmament Conference coming daily nearer, and unrest prevalent practically throughout Europe, it is little short of a tragedy that deprives the French Government and the, people of Europe of the active counsel and example of a great international statesman.