New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-20
AssaiIed in Senate. He
Asks Foes to Support Him
or Replace Him
CiEMENCEAU SEEKS
POST OF PREMIER
Cabinet Accused Of Weak
ness in Failure TO Drive
Germans Over Frontier

Paris. Dec. f9.-Attacked in the Sen
ate to-day by Senator Henry BcrengeT
who accused the Cabinet OF weakness
and dilatorines,, Premier BRAND de-
clsred his willingness 70 give place 70
any one judged more worthy than HIN
self. A great crowd had gathered N
expectation OF hearing the Cabinet de-
nounced b. Georges Clemenceau, VINO
would Ike very much 90 be Premier
but Clemenceau remained dumb rs
long as the Senate was in public scs-
sion.
Clemenceau, realizing that his am
bition is impossible at the present mo-
mont. Is very careful not TO speak III
public, thus reserving for his news
paper the expression Of all his views
He continually makes the most violent
attacks against tho government III ms
paper. The public had hoped that
Clemenceau would produce in the SEN
Ate. where il might have some effect
one Of the attacks OF which ne Is ~
prodigal in his paper.
Berenger Raps Greek Middle
Senator Berenger, in his speech sac
the new ministry had brought aoou'
only a change in personnel ms, no
snid WAS shown in the way in whisn
the war was being directed, as the
French had been unable to drive the
Germans beyond che frontier.
The speaker then reproaehed me
ministry With defects IN the oTgshiIh-
dion of the economic life OF the coun-
try. and charged that there had oeen
lack OF organization in the prooue,ioi,,
OF war material. He then a'tackeG,
French diplomacy, 10 which ne impu'eu
the recent events in Athens.
"Do not thirk that your past way
record" said NJ. Berenger, addressing
Premier BRAND, gives us suhIcieh'
assurance for The future.
II. BRAND in replying deprecated re
proaches against the government az
this grave period. because the men III
power must be able 20 work with the
necessarv freedom of mind, have rnln-
terrupted confidence nj home ana ior
their actions abroad, end our alhes
must not be allowed TO think that our
government is under suspicion and the
menace of Interpolation.
Ready 10 Yield Post
ar am ready" ". BRAND continued.
"to make way at any time for ne VINO
NAV be Judged more worthy than /.
But I ask you. with the system emf
pioged up TO this time, what govern
ment could resist?
"As for me, have gone more than
forty-four times before the committees
(eacn committee composed Of forty
four memberS). and lately was detalned
ten entire days in secret sessions OF
the chamber. ! ask you. under these
conditions. how president Of the
Cabinet can be war President; a
President OF energetic action? When
YOU know the facts of the terrible
task 70 which 7 am bound, then you
will Judge me, End condemn me If you
think TT"
". BRAND repeated his previous
statement that he was ready 70 retire,
but he asked: "Does the Senate think
the Cabinet can really govern with the
life it is made to lead ?" VI. BRAND then
alluded 70 the latest French victory az
Verdun, which evoked much applause.
French Saved Allies
Referring 10 the general military Sit
uation, the Premier continued:
"Tf we have not broken through,
neither have The Germans broken
through after forty years of prepare
ton. even though it might have been
thought they would triumph after hnv-
ing violated Belgium. Fortunately,
French soldiers, nearly alone at that
time, blocked the way and said, NO
Thoroughbred The government from
the beginning did its duty in permit
ting our allies to organize
The Premier sketched what Russia
and Italy had done and alluded 20 the
joint efforts that had been made for
unity Of action. The government
thinks" said ~ BRAND, ait has given
proof OF all required energy. But IL
the Senate doubts this, let any one
take the stand with documents and we
Will reply"
NJ. Berenger rose and put several
questions to the Premier, but they were
not developed. A vote then was taken
10 90 into secret session 10 consider
the Interpolation of Clemenceau and
his colleagues on the army committee
in regard TO the organization and con-
duet Of the var and the situation IN
p-nnflfnue and ar-tI