Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-15
FRANCE WARNED BY
N. BRAND AGAINST
GERMAN DECEPTION
Premier Asserts Peace Offer
Is Trap and viii Ask for In
creased Power With Which
to Garry. on War
sBy Associated Press


PARIS. Dec. 13.-P-esnier BRAND ac-
companied his denunciation Of the Ger
man peace offer as a trap with an an
nouncement that he would ask for the
increased power with which to carry on
the war. according 10 full reports of his
speech. before the chamber of deputies
today. At the same sine the premier
promised that the government would
not undertake any scheme of national
mobilization such rs that involved in
the German home army plan.
Evidently" said the premier. re
cent Developments are serious. but it is
1915. After eight months il is not
German but a French victory which in
truth has been Inscribed on French
flags
The premier referred to the French
success at Verdun and the gains made
on the Somme. and derided Germany
for its claim OF sictOry while it was
taxing such measures as what he term
ed the miIftarizing of the entire popu-
latiOn- The chamber applauded unan-
imously when he affirmed that the war
government of France would not fol-
low the policy of Germany. He asked.
however. for power TO regulate all ques-
tions concerning the national defense,
including the possibility Of requisition.
but said that If the latter step was con-
sidered necessary it would not be car
ried out inconsiderately. The chamber
again applauded when he announced
that the government would ask for the
suppression Of the liquor traffic
throughout France.
PLANS OF GERMANY.
Premier BRAND expressed the GER
tainty that some OF the measures taken
by Germany have behind them the OBJ
tect Of intensifying the war next spring
when. he said. she will have stronger
armies TO face. he warned France to
be prepared for these efforts and to
have confidence IN the final outcome.
Then he turned TO a discussion of the
German peace proposal.
at is after having proclaimed its vic
tory he said. while at the same time
making new efforts TO gain it that Ger
many sends Us certain words which
am not unable to explain. You have
read the address delivered by Won
Bethmann-Hollweg, the chancellor of
the German empire. I have not the text
and therefore / cannot give an official
opinion. but il is improbable that in
the present circumstances those who
are asked TO intervene will accept a task
which might well disturb confidence
here ! will make known officially the
precise concerted opinion of the allies.
but / must now warn my country
against a possible poisoning of opin-
ion When a country armed TO the teeth
mobilizes it's entire civil population at
the risk Of running its commerce and
disorganizing the homes of which il is
so proud. when its factories are work
ing overtime 20 increase its war ma
terials and when il takes. in disregard
of the law OF nations. the people of an
invaded country and obliges them to
work for IL. II at that moment 1 do not
cry out to my country, lookout, take
care" 1 would be entirely culpable.
What comes from yonder as a PROPOSE
ton to negotiate peace is made at a
time when Belgium is invaded. Serbia
is Invaded. ten departments OF France
are invaded.
CRIMES UNPUBLISHED.
Deputy Andre Lefevre here inter
rupted. saying: And crimes unpun-
ished-" Premier BRAND resumed:
1T is a redOubtabIe moment, and I
cannot call your attention too much to
the facts What do we see in this ad-
dress2 II is the same cry TO deceive
neutrals or the clairvoyance of the Ger
man people-it was not we who desired
this horrible war. II was imposed on
us I want to answer for the hundredth
time. No. YOU were the aggressors. and
whatever you say the facts are there TO
prove IL. The blood is on your heads
and not on ours
Now, coming TO the bottom OF things.
have the right TO denounce this ma
neuver. this gross trap. We want. il is
said by our enemies. TO give our people
all the means TO prosper that they can
desire. Others are offered as almost
2 consent not 10 annihilate them. After
the Marine. after Verdun, France, France
resisting firmly. is offered this Such
document must be thoroughly meditated
upon TO see toward what objects IT
tends
There was loud applause at these
words and Deputy Thierry-Cazes shout
ed: "The country thinks as you do!'
The premier then concluded:
From this rostrum I must say that
there is a maneuver to separate the al
- disturb the conscience and democrat
ize the people OF the French republic
= circumstances such as these one will
not do less than the convention"