Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-14
French Premier Denounces
Peace PrOffer as Trap
Set BY Germany.
WANTS INCREASED
POWER IN WAR
Declares Recent Developments, While
Serious, Indicate French and Not
German victory-Asks Authority to
Adopt Requisition Provided Step Is
Neeessary-Japan Refuses to Take
Peace Proposals Seriously.

Paris, Dec. 14.-Premier BRAND ac-
companied his denunciation Of the
German peace offer as trap with an
announcement that he would ask for
increased power with which to carry
on the war. according to full reports of
his speech before the chamber Of dep
uties today AT the same time the pre-
mier promised that the government
would not undertake any scheme OF
general mobilization such as that In
volved in the German army plan.
Evidently" said the premier, re
cent developments are serious, but 1t is
unnecessary to recall what has happen
ed in 1916. After eight months 1t is not q
German but French victory which IN
truth has been inscribed On French
flags"
Derides German Claims.
The premier referred to the French
success at Verdun and the gains on the
Somme and derided Germany for it's
claim of victory while it was taking
such measures as what he terms the
militarizing of the entire nation.
He asked all power in carrying for
ward the national defense. including
requsition, but said If the latter step
was necessary it would not be carried
uut iI1coT1SiderGtai%.
The chamber applaudsd when he an
nounced that the government would
ask for the suppression OF the liquor
raffic thruout France.
The premier expressed the certainty
that some Of the measures taken by
Germany have behind them the object
Of intensifying the war next spring
when she will have stronger. armies to
face. He warned France to be pre-
pared for these efforts and to have
confidence inthe final outcome.
Warns Against Peace Offer.
Premier BRAND during last nights
session of the chamber of deputies de-
livered a speech on the German impe-
rial enancellor's peace proposal IN
which he warned, the country to be-
ware of Frances enemies He added
that France would not do less in the
premises than the other members Of
the allied conference. The chamber
passed vote Of confidence in the new
government, 3f4 to 165.
'I have the duty to place my country
on guard against possible poisoning"
said NJ. BRAND amid applause when
country arms itself to the teeth when
it seizes men everywhere in violation
Of the laws of nations and enforces Ia
bor upon them, I should be guilty If
did not cry out to my country, Look
out; take care -fs' ~
"Blood on Their Hands"
II have the right, in the first place,
to say to our enemies for the nun
dredth time, The blood is on your
hands not upon ours Not that
doubt the clears -sightedness Of my
country, but in the face Of these at
tempts to spread dissension among the
allies i exctaim, The French republic
will not do less than the convention
The chamber held q. large number Of
deputies who desired to witness the
first appearance of the new cabinet.
M. BRAND. instead of reading the
declaration Of the program of the re-
organized ministry, outlined it ex-
temporaneously. The premier said
that in secret sessions most delicate
questions had Deen considered.
The socialists interrupted the speak
er with cries Of NO but Paul Des-
ECnaH0l, pFesSlueHL Ol Tie HttttIlJeT, SOpH
succeeded in restoring order.
M. BRAND then continued:
Certain Of Victory.
"The government is ready for all
discussions and all explanations"
He referred to the adoption by the
chamber of a resolution demanding
reorganizatiom in the conduct Of the
war, the constitution Of war COM
mittee and notifications in the high
command. He said the war com
mittee would sit permanently and that
it would increase the production Of
war necessities.
+ "No one can say that | have ever
been unduly optimistic" said M.
BRAND. ~But today. however, more
than ever, we must have the convic-
tion that victory is certain. Nowhere
have the German successes been de-
cisive
1T is true that valorous Roumania
..,a, issii, ea-ced to Yield and 1t is a
sad event; but its army, supported by
that OF Russia, Will come into its own.
AS to the question in the east. it is
far from being settled, and tomorrow
there will be a new front which will
,s0c,