The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-11-03
BRAND PREMIER BEFORE

n
With the elevation of Aristide
BRAND to the Premiership, the strong
est political figure which has risen in
France since the days Of Clemenceau,
possibly excepting Raymond Poin-
care, the president, again assumes
power NJ. BRAND is 81 years old.
He became Premier for the Grst time
six years ago and it is since that
time that he has done most to de-
mand the attention not only of
France but of the whole of Europe.
Fifteen years ago he was unknown.
NJ. BRAND was born in Nantes,
where he was educated as a lawyer.
He adopted the doctrines of the rev
dictionary Socialists early in life and
by them was elected to the Chamber
of Deputies from Loire. He found
his political opportunity in the
Church and State separation move
ment and grasped it, He was appoint
ed reporter of the bill and soon won
recognition as an authority on the
subject. His aim was measure lib
eral in spirit, yet free from Fanatic
ism and assuring freedom OF wor-
ship.
As a result of this work he was
elected to the post of Minister of
Public Instruction and worship in
1906 Then followed the turmoil over
the separation act and during that
trying time NJ BRAND won reputa-
tion for firmness and moderation,
His speeches and writing on the
subject were widely read and quoted
and it was due largely TO his manage
ment that the trouble was finally adj
iusted In December, 1907. he be-
came Minister of Justice, retaining
also the portfolio OF Public Worship
In that cabinet--Clemenc last
-Briand was the most conspicuous
figure, aside from the premier him
self; indeed, the only member who
was never described as a rubber
stamp in the hands Of the Ministry's
dominating head. But, aside from his
ability, the political situation made
him the logical selection when Glenn
enceau fell, in 1909. The overthrow
of Clemenceau was a personal rebuff,
not reputation of his policies
The great French railway strike Of
1910 arose when BRAND was at the
head of the Cabinet. Then he sur
prised every one by his extreme con
servatsm. He issued an order cal
ling the strikers to the colors for
three weeks training as reserves and
assigned them TO protect the rail
roads, thus placing before the strik-
ers the alternative OF obeyng the
government and manning their own
locomotives and cars or obeying their
leaders. The strike Immediately fz-
zled out.
While the labor troubles were in
progress some of his colleagues were
found to be at outs with the Premier
over measures taken to subdge the
railway men, so he eliminated sever
al Ministers. His new Cabinet was
regarded as a stronger one, but the
votes of confidence grew smaller and
smaller until finally. in February,
1911, the radical Socialists joined in
condemnation Of his religious policy.
His majority fell to sixteen, and
BRAND, tired of it all and in poor
health resigned.
When Rene Viviani organized the
war Cabinet in August last BRAND
was called TO the Ministry Of Justice
again. Although regarded in the
early days as essentially a man of
peace he favored a religious policy
during the war, and that his official
conduct attracted the favorable at.
tention of President Poincare was ey-
idenced by recent developments.