Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-06

France spoke plainly. today. ON the
European situation. Premier Poincare
told the committee on foreign affairs
of the Chamber of Deputies;
We stand by our allies and our
friendships"
The Premier was laying down the
policy to be pursued by France in the
Balkan settlement
Frances position in the present
tense European situation was summed
up by Premier Poincare in few
words. He said
Frances program is:
"First-Continuity in our foreign
policies and consequently the practi-
cal and preserving operation of our
alliances and friendships.
Second Sincere and continued eff
forts to secure peace of Europe.
"Third-Above all the firm and
calm resolution to secure respect for
our rights and maintain our national
dignity free from all possible attack"
The French premier's address had not
only been carefully prepared but had
been submitted previously to a special
session of the cabinet as it was realized
that a speech similar to those delivered
by the British premier. Herbert Asquitb,
and the German imperial chancellor, DIR.
Won Bethmann- HoIlweg, was awaited
with anxiety in every capital of Europe.
As the most important negotiations are
new being pursued. Premier PoIucare
pointed out that he was not free to speak
without restriction. He wanted to af-
firm, however. that France in the settle
ment of the present European questions
wished that her alliances and friendships
should find new proof in their force and
in their efficacy.
France, the premier said, always con-
suited England and Russia in advance
before acting and always acted with
them, and he added:
I'VE shall continue to act with them
in close accord, and with confidence"
Referring to the future, M Poincare
said:
IAN the evidence goes to show that a
general settlement of the pending difficult
ties will be effected sooner or later. Up
to now the Powers have been in accord
recognizing that military operations do
not constitute accomplished facts and
that no Power has adopted any irrep-
arabic initiative. This result, which is
the best guarantee of European peace, is
especially due to the fact that the chan
cellories of Europe have been in con-
slant communication in the past few
weeks.
1.-The variations of the points of view
between certain power and the Balkan
allies and among the great Powers them
selves. doubtless cannot. however, be
solved Practically without common
conference where all the problems will be
discussed and weighed
Premier Poincare saw am indication of
peace in tho fact that every Great Power
had placed itself on record not Seek
ing territorial extension. This, he said,
should not be confused with their moral
and political interests in the territory
where hostilitics had been going on.
France, he continued, occupied a spe-
cal position in reference to Turkey, for
| France was the principal creditor of Tur-
4 key and possessed heavy financial and
/ economic interests in the Ottoman en-
I pire, including tobacco concessions, light
| houses. railroads, mines. banks and
schools.
IL the allies should annex part of Tur-
key. they must said the French pre-
nier be held responsible for Turkey $
public debt The question of how this
/ was to be arranged and aBpoT toned was,
| he said, now being examined by the Great
! Powers France would in this regard ne
| gotiate directly with the Balkan allies
/ themselves, whom France has informed
in friendly manner that they must re-
| spect French moral and material rights
/ in Turkey.