The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-08-02
PREMIER R|BOT
RAPS M|CHAELIS

Paris. Aug. 2.-Premier Ribot re-
piled in the chamber Tuesday to the
declaration made Saturday by Dr.. Mi
chaelis, the German chancellor. that
there was secret treaty between
France and Russia having in view plans
of conquest Premier Ribot said
"The German chancellor publicly
commanded the French government to
declare whether In a secret sitting,
June !. the French government had not
madeaknown to the chamber Of deputies
the terms Of a secret treaty made before
the Russian revolution whereby the
emperor bound himself 70 support
French pretensions to German terri
tory on the left bank of the Rhine.
"The chancellors version contains
gross inaccuracies and absolute lies, not
ably regarding the role he attributes to
the president of the republic in giving
an order to sign a treaty unknown to
Premier BRAND.
"The Germans know how things
passed NJ. Dumorgne, (eX-premier and
foreign minister) after a conversation
and obtained NJ Brands authorization
to take note of the emperors promise to
support our claim to Alsace.Lorraine
and TO leave us free to seek guarantees
against fresh aggression, not by, an
nexing territories on the left bank Of
the Rhine but making an autonomous
state of these territories which would
protect us and also Belgium against
invasion.
Not As Bismarck
1--WE have never thought to do what
Bismarck did in 1871 We are there
fore entitled to deny the allegation Of
the chancellor, who evidently knows of
the letters exchanged February, 1917 at
Petrograd and falsified since as his most
illustrious predecessor falsified the Ems
dispatch. Whenever the Russian gov
ernment is willing to publish these let
ters, we have no objection.
The chancellor refrained from speak
ing about my declaration March 21,
wherein / repudiated i'm Frances name
any policy of conquest and annexation
by force. He has wilfully forgotten
my language May 22 in the chamber
saying we were ready to enter into con-
versation with Russia as 10 the object
of the war and If the German people.
whose right to live and develop peace
fully we do not contest. understood that
we wish peace founded on the right
Of the people. the conclusion of peace
would thereby be singularly facilitated.
Finally the chancellor passed over
in silence the resolution unanimously
voted after the June secret session."
Reads From Speech
Here Premier Ribot read from his
speech in the chamber warning against
those who wished to spread the convic.
ton that France was seeking conquest.
and he read the terms Of the resolution
adopted by the chamber at that time,
declaring that peace conditions must
include the liberation of territories oc.
cupied by Germany. the return OF Al.
sace-Lorraine to France. and just rep
aration for damage done in the invaded
regions.
The resolutions also favored the ere.
alton of a league of nations for the
maintenance Of peace.
who now dare say to the world that
we wish annexation" continued Prem
ier R.bot. such maneuvers are too
crude TO receive anyone. and particular
ly the democratic masses of the Russian
people. who It is vainly being tried to
separate from their allies by deceiving
them as to the true sentiments OF
French democracy.
What is the German chancellor
seeking. He is trying to hide the EN-
barrassment which he feels in defining
Germany's objects OF war and cOndi-
tons whereon she would make peace
He Is trying and particularly, to turn
aside attention from the terrible re.
sponsibility weighing on the consciepce
Of the kaiser and his councillors.
Attempt at Diversion.
1T is the publication of decisions
made July 8, at a Teutonic council held
at Potsdam at which all consequences
of the utimatum TO be sent to Serbia
were discussed and from which war
was bound 20 spring that the chancel
Tor is trying this diversion. There is
something shameless when one has
such responsibilities, IN ueidmlng oui
intentions.
"Assuredly. Il is not TO Germany that
we address ourselves, but 10 all who
are witnesses or actors in the struggle
which we have been maintaining fol
the past three years. and who know
that there is in the depth Of the French
peoples soul a deep attachment to prin
'ciples OF justice respect for principles
Of risht, and ! may add. at the risl
of not being understood by our enemies
true generosity"
The declaration was frequently ap
plauded II was not followed by a de
hate.
JULES CANIBON DENOUNCES
MICHAEIIS As EAISIFIEI