FRENCH POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1918, Page 5

FRENCH POLICY.

BDOODY, BUT UXBOWED. FIRST AVAR AIM IS VICTORY. London, Jan. 1. During an important debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the Governments Russian policy, M. Pichon (Foreign Minister) declared that the Allies unanimously decided that it was. impossible to have official relations with the Bolsheviks owing to the latter's violations of the alliances, while simultaneously showing a. pro-German bias. All France disapproved of the Bolsheviks, nevertheless the Government would maintain touch with the sane elements In Russia. France did not despair of her ancient ally, and awaited thochance to resume her former relations. "We are not," said ,M. Pichon, 'intervening in the internal policy of Russia, but we are proceeding to safeguard our considerable interests there. We are replying favorably to the population's wishing to maintain friendly relations with us, and thereby are pursuing our policy in view of the ultimate regeneration ot Russia." Amid loud applause the Foreign Minister declared that the first war-aim was to conquer. It was in complete accord ! with President Wilson's utterances and the Government would consider the war won only when the German people were ready to make reparation for"the wrongs done. The question of Alsace and Lorraine |wa; a. world question, because it was * symbol of right just as the deliverance of Jerusalem was not u mere British victory, but a victory for the whole civilised world, spelling deliverance for the populations, and the institution of an international regime o! justice and liberty. Referring to the Central Powers' peace proposals, he said that Germany wag endeavoring to draw France into negotiations, but there could be no queition of a territorial or economic status quo ante bellum. (Cheers) When France was informed directly of the peace terms she would consider them with hev Allies, hut such indirect peace proposals did not deserve consideration." Whether the 'Russo-Germari negotiations ended in the capitulation of Russia or broke down, France would continue the war. The Allies were determined to pool all their resources in order to give their armies the maximum power. Germany had attempted the impossible task of conquering the world, but the world would conquer her. France will have saved the soul of the world. "Tt is for that that we are working.'' (Loud cheers, except from the extreme Left). A motion by M. Longuet, favoring a revision of the Allien' war-aiins in accordance with the Russian lormula of a general peace without annexations and indemnities, was rejected by 378 votes to 103. The minority were practically all Socialists. After the debate concluded the Government's policy, as expressed by M. Pichon. was apm-nvwl unanimously by the 384 deputies present. n Mr. Bouri'hier. specin correspondent of the Times in Petrograd, writing on Boxing Day, states tjiac the Central Powers cannot see tho advantage of a separate peace. It is rumored that the delegates proposed that Russia should again attempt to mediate and draw in the Allies. In the event of failure the Central Powers would occupy various strategic points of Russian territory for the purpose of inducing the Allies to, attend Russia's representations. Tho scheme caused consternation at the Bolshevik headquarters. The Times states that the whole pretence of the negotiations is characterstieally disingenuous and manifestly Intended to secure peace, while Germany is yet able top reserve her advantages. Peace on such terms would leave Cer-' manv the victor, completely controlling the -Dual Monarchy, tho Balkan States, Turkey, and Asia Minor. The Allies will not bfgin negotiations until tliov have guarantees that Germany and her confederates will accent peace on their terms. Tho prevailing opinion is that the German anxiety is for peace by hook

or crook, and that, (lie enemy is endeavoring to use the Russians as the instrument to procure a general peace on terms favorable to the Central Umpires. Hi-' is artfully pretending to join in the Russian condemnation of eonquest in order to circulate the idea that the Allies are responsible for the continuance of war. His careful verbiage and guarded clauses, such as "German troops will be withdrawn only from such places as the General Staff may designate," reveal the speciousness .of his- promises, this characterising mixture of trickery and blull' deceiving nobody, except the pneifist and defeatist cliques. The Daily Mail says:—''The barrage of talk is covering Hindcnburg's next move. , Germany will surrender nothing until beaten and humbled on the battlefield. The British Umpire will be blown sky-high before returning her colonies, rmd will never renounce the demand for the reparation of Belgium "