New-York tribune., 1917-05-23
o..n;er Announces French
War Aims in Speech
to Deputies
Germany Must Pay
For Wrongs Done
p..toration of Alsace'
Lorraine Demanded as
Lost Provinces"

Pans. MAY 22.-Franee Will make
..,,. only when assured of lasting
,,,, and will demand the restora-
-, of Alsaee.L Lorraine and payment
:, herself and other invaded nations
4, ,be wrongs Germany has COM
-.,,d. Premier Ribot declared to-day
opening The Chamber of Deputies.
ii, speech. a reply TO the Russian
.-uls OF "No annexstions and no
.s,nrities." supports the declaration
q Iord Robert Cecil in the British
Parliament last week, that the Allies
.,,s terms stand as they were formu-
.,,a in the reply 10 President Wilson.
Premier Ribot said It was necessary
!, combat dangerous sophisms which
surht 10 treat the restoration of "our
~, provinces" as being a question OF
.,,exstion. and which also confused
Ia question of indemnities for raw
,r,s in the invaded provinces.
~ Fine for Wrong Done"
This indemnity is a contribution
,bich is inflicted as a fine for wrong
ions,r said the Premier. at is re-
,uirsment which both law and equity
j,usnd. The same reparation should
y required for all small nations
stieh have been crushed, for Bel
run. Serbia, Rumania and Monte
sero.
no eonquests and no covetousness
that, in substance, is what the Rus
asn government declares. France
relies that il could not Cypress any
rstouality, even that OF its enemies.
Il viii call to its aid to defend the
snail nations, not vengeance, but JUS
tee.
Whit France also wishes is a
tursbs peace, but we do not wish
niliisy dispositions 10 endure which
car Destroy this durable peace when IL
il encs made. II the German people
corpehend this il would make peace
laser to attain. That is the view of
RgAa al the moment when the United
Sa.ss is making preparations TO en-
IN the war.
Now let Russia make her offensive
ard We will be able 20 talk of peace
r'i in an equivocal manner but open.
}. As TO this peace. if they do not
Ek !, Of US, We will iRpose it,"
French and Russian Conference
". Ribot prefaced his reference tc
Russia ty asking for a postponemen'
sf the debate. because OF converse
hons to which the French government
las been invited by the Russian gov
trnment" He continued:
ave are following the development
Of the Russian revolution with the ut
most care and sympathy. The eminent
and courageous statesmen Of Russia
Tere surrounded for a time by in
fpences which rendered their action
diifcult. but the men of intelligence
sho have now taken in hand the Rus
sian government, have made declara-
tons which give us complete satisfac-
ton. They say that they wish strong
scyernment, and they desire. above ell,
70 establish in the army that severe
discipline which Is an indispensable
svbdi,ion Of the existence of the Rus
tlsn nation"
He created intense interest by read
ing q telegram received from the Rus
s,n Minister Of Foreign Affairs, which
aid.
Russia will never forget the elan
With which France entered the war
On our side, and will always remem-
Der that az the moment of the pres
sni crisis in Russia's existence II was
the splendid effort of the French
people which attracted the enemy
masses toward the West and thus
permitted our Russian forces TO gain
tine for reorganization.
Hand In Hand with Russia"
long continued cheers greeted the
r.sclng OF this telegram, after which
ne Premier continued:
i accept for my country these words
confidence and gratitude. Yes, We
nsreh hand in hand with Russia, ever
sithful. Yes. at this moment France
r;sins on her front all those German
sefdes gathered from the Russian
ivnt. permitting Russia TO restore her
si and prepare that confraternity or
|, rns which will demonstrate that there
hno question OF separate peace.
AS TO the conditions Of that peace,
es Russian Minister Of Foreign Al
airs has himself exposed the sophisms
shereby Germany's formula Of no an
tsastion is made the pretext for Ger
sary's holding the provinces she tore
nom France. She annexed these prov
sees. always French until yesterday.
hers stsnts Germany. the culprit
seil'y Of annexation. We ask simply
ier restitution Of what belongs TO us
sEe not for annexation"
Premier Ribot was applauded as he