The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY I6 1922. M. BRIAND’S RESIGNATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1922, Page 4

The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY I6 1922. M. BRIAND’S RESIGNATION.

French polities cannoi be measured by British standards; they have certain peculiarities which do not make for a continuity of policy, the Government for the time being likely to be refused a vote of confidence at any moment, especially in times of excitement. Apparently M. Briand, who has just resigned the Premiership on the spur of the moment, was just the statesman that France needed at this particular time, although he has that impulsive temperament which brooks no opposition. He Jias recently fought his hardest at Washington to secure every possible concession that the political leaders have thrust in the foreground. It would seem, however, that his recent conference with Mr. Lloyd George engendered considerable suspicion that M. Briand was being unduly influenced by British policy. This was emphasised at. the opening session of the Supremo Council at Cannes recently, when lie gave way to Britain and Belgium over the agenda, and allowed the economic situation of Europe to take precedence over the German reparations. There appears to be no doubt that the immediate cause of M. Briand’s dissatisfaction with his position of Premier was the receipt of a telegram from the Senate Commission, the responsibility for the message resting on M. Poincare and M. Ribot. It was a terse and by no means diplomatic message, baldly stating that “France must take everything and give nothing.” Such a peremptory instruction amply sufficed to speed M. Briand back to Paris to come to an understanding as to where he stood, and it is not surprising that he refused to return to Cannes unless he had the

full moral support of the French Chamber. He seems to have made a most brilliant speech in defending his actions, and to have spoken very strongly against the gross calumnies regarding the Pact, and although it is said he wo.uld have obtained a majority vote in his favor had he asked for it, yet the jeers and interruptions during his speech were such as to impel him to resign from his high office in a dramatic manner. There are several indications that French polities at the present time are something akin to a seething cauldron. Possibly it may be thought that a change of Government may clear up some of the friction that has been in evidence as the result of M. Briand’s policy, but it would be unwise to take that for granted. M. Poincare,\ who has brought about the crisis, was Premier from 1912 till his election as President, so that he is quite familiar with the trials and troubles attaching to the head of the French Cabinet. He certainly will take office under unfavorable circumstances in view of his demand that “France must take everything and give nothing.’.’ No country adopting such a slogan, especially France, can make headway with the other Powers who are striving to inaugurate a definite policy of international conciliation and harmony. It is most unfortunate for France that such a deplorable crisis should have happened at this juncture, especially as both, the President and Hie Cabinet appear to have grown hostile to M. Briand. Under the circumstances it will not be necessary for the other Powers to ask what France wants, now that it has been proclaimed that she will have all she can get, and will concede nothing. Such an attitude is foolish in the extreme. Fortunately the other Powers are too seriously in earnest over their efforts settle existing controversies by a system of just compromises to be adversely affected by Gallic pomposity of that nature. How low Parliamentary honor lias fallen in France” was evidenced by the sneer of a deputy that England had no army. Where would France have been to-day without the man-power of the British Empire? There is no need to say. It is not the change of Government in France that of itself will cause uneasiness abroad. It is the mean spirit at the back of the ahatuta .which Jias j.. Rasty_flay

Admitting that France was disappointed at Germany not being crushed to atoms, that is no reason for the present exhibition of temper. The Allies, led by Britain, will go on with their good work to preserve a general peace and do all that is possible to restore the financial and economical position of Europe. If France holds aloof so much the worse for her. It is to be hoped, however, that wiser counsels will prevail.