FRENCH FEELINGS.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 June 1919, Page 6

FRENCH FEELINGS.

A recent debate in the Chamber of Deputies* throws light on the feelings of the French people at the outset of the war, and helps us to understand their insistence on their claim to the Saar Valley. Beforo war was declared the French troops had been withdrawn a distance of ten kilometres from the German frontier. The result was that the Briey.iron mines on the j Lorraine frontier were occupied by the German troops without loss. During the war, while these fields were being worked by the enemy, it was suggsted that they should be bombarded .from the air; but the suggestion was not adopted. Charges were made in the Chamber of Deputies that both these decisions were taken at the instigation of the French iron-masters, who feared .to have their mines de-

stroyed. Convincing answers were given in this debate by M. Viviani and Briand, who were respectively at the "head of the Government in 1914 and in 1915-16. M. Viviani proves that the reasons for the retreat were both strategic- and diplomatic. It was sanctioned by ihe President of the Republic and by General Joffre. It was accepted in foreign countries, and especially in Great Britain, as final proof of the pacific intentions of France. M. Briand showed that attacks Avere made toy General Nivelle, but was abandoned en his suggestion. Both Ministers admitted that the same decisions might not have been taken if* they had known of the immense value of these iron mines to Germany, In the words of one speaker, their loss reduced the "battle to the Mar'ne to a pyrrhic victory, for it left France without the material to take advantage of it. The fate of the mines showed France the need for a stronger frontier. All parties agreed ithat she would Hover again be dependent on mines >vhich were exposed to the surprise attacks of a treacherous nemy, and "which might enable him to use any frontier quarrel as the excuse for a declaration of war.