New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-22
New Premier Announces
Hands Off," Policy in
Conducting War
Will Force Victory
Urges France to Economic;
Statutes Russia for Spread
ing Democracy

Paris, March 2l.-The new ministry
Of Alexandra Ribot made its declara-
ton to-day, pledging itself to carry or
the war with all possible energy. The
declaration. which was read in the
Chamber Of Deputies by Premier Ribot
and in the Senate BY Rene Vivian
Minister of Justice, opens with the af-
frmation:
1--WE are resolved to wage with the
utmost vigor and to victorious end
the terrible war into which we were
drawn by inexcusable aggression. We
shall wage it not as our enemies, IN q
spirit of conquest and domination, but
with the firm resolve to recover the
provinces formerly wrested from US
and obtain reparation and guarantees
to prepare a durable peace, founded on
respect for the rights and liberties of
peoples"
The declaration refers to the retire
ment of the Germans on the French
front, which it says "is without doubt
q prelude to other battles in which the
enemy will exhaust his last resources.
NivelIe to Stay in Command
Referring to "the much debated cues
ton Of chief command of the armies,
the declaration says the answer is
reached in the simplest manner, add
ing: .,,
1.-THE Cabinet. which is responsible
for the political direction of the war,
Under the supervision of the Chamber
has a high hand in all that concerns
organization and upkeep, but when II
has chosen a commander in chief who
must lead our troops to victory II
leaves him complete liberty for strste-
gic conception. preparation and direc-
ton of operations. The government is
happy to be able to seize this occa-
sion to affirm its absolute confidence
in the commander in chief General
Nivelle) and in the other commanders
of our armies"
II is pointed out in the declaration
that the alliances Of France are not
solely founded on the interests OF the
country. but are animated by common
ideals of liberty and fraternity, "which
the French revolution had the immortal
honor of proposing TO the world and
which. once they have become real
ity everywhere in Europe. will be the
best guarantee Of that peace among
the peoples an ardent wish for when
was expressed recently by the Presi-
dent of the great American Republic
as well as one Of the conditions Of or
ganization of a society Of nations"
SaIutes N~s Russia
Referring 10 the Russian revolution,
the Cabinet salutes "the work of eman
cipation which is being accomplished
among the noble people with which we
have had an alliance dating from more
than a quarter Of century ago. IL
expresses the wish that "the develop
ment of representative institutions,
founded on popular sovereignty, may
be achieved without violence, TO serve as
an example for other nations"
Regarding finances. the Cabinet en-
nhasizes the necessity oil restricting for
eign payments as far as is possible
without prejudicing the defence Of the
nation, and announces a forthcoming
decree prohibiting importations when
are not indispensable. 1t is pointed
out that economies at home are neces-
sary. Gin order that public finances
which have supported thus far the un,
precedented effort required may hold
out TO the end and preserve their elas-
ITCHY for the future.
The Premier announced that II would
be necessary to impose new taxes ana
TO make an added effort for the de-
velopment of agricultural resources.