Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-20
BRAND TR|UMPHS
OVER HIS CRITICS
French Senate Evidences Its
Support of the Premier's
Policies.
PEACE NOTE REPLY TODAY

/ By the Associated Press.
| PARIS, December 20.--Prenier BRAND
met his critics in the senate yesterday
and carried with him the applause Of
quite twe-thirds of the chamber. A vote
of confidence was not taken because none
will be proposed until after the secret
sessions. the first of which began after
the premier had replied TO a series of
accusations by Senator Berenger of
Guadeloupe.
Senator Berenser said the new ministry
had brought about only a change In per-
sonnet. This was shown in the way in
which the war was being direeted-the
French had been unable to drive the Ger
mans beyond the frontier. The speaker
then reproached the ministry with defects
in the organization of the economic life
Of the country and charged that there had
been u lack of organization In the produc-
ton of war material He then attacked
French diplomacy. to which he imputed
as result the recent events in Athens.
do not think that your past war
record" said NJ. Berenger, addressing
Premier BRAND. gives US sufficient as
surance for the future.
Ready to Yield Office.
proaches against the government at this
grave period. because the men IN
power must be able to work with the
necessary freedom Of mind. have unin-
terrupted confidence at home and for
their actions abroad, and our allies
must not be allowed to think that our
government is under suspicion and the
menace of Interpolation
II am ready" NJ. BRAND continued,
''to make way at any time for he who
may be judged more worthy than I.
But I ask you with the system en-
ployed up to this time what govern
ment could resist?'
NJ. BRAND then alluded to the latest
French victory at verdun, which
evoked much applause. Referring to
the general military situation. the pre-
mier continued:
IF 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 hav-
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 permitting
our allies to organize.
Peace Note German "Bluff."
sSudtUE from the INVADED
department Of the Aisne. asked the
premier for a public explanation con-
corning the latest challenge launched
by Germany" He said he had received
a few days previously a call from a
refugee from the invaded district, who
had told him that no one in his depart
ment desired peace without tho liberia
ton Of territory. Loud applause greet
ed this remark.
NO one is duped by Germany's
maneuver," Premier BRAND replied
Tomorrow a concerted reply will make
known to the central empires that 1t is
impossible to take their request for
peace seriously. The central empires
are at bay. Their request for peace Is
a last blur that Germany wishes to
try. She would like also to exonerate
herself by making believe that the war
was imposed upon her, but the war
had been decided upon by her forty
years ago. 1t was IN the blood of the
Germans who felt certain they would
conquer"