Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-23
Germany Must Be Compelled
to Make Restitution for
Damage to Countries Ruth
lessIy invaded,
ALSACE AND LORRAINE
MUST BE RESTORED
Ribot Says SIavs Should Re-
sumo Offensive; Enemy
Then Would Sue for Peace
or Have It Imposed on Them

10y MORNING JSorhtL SPECIAL LEASED wiaEl
Paris, May % c. p. m.)-Parlia-
ment was reopened today and the ex-
pected Interpolation regarding the
conduct of the war was presented in
the chamber. Addressing the depu-
ties in regard to the interpretations
Premier Ribot said:
Il recognize that the representa-
tives of the people desire some ex-
plantations, They may be given pub
licly. The public, like yourselves, has
the right to be informed. Secret ses-
sions may well be reserved for other
subjects
Concerning the interpretations on
the last offensive, it may be said
there were some excessive hopes and
some errors of execution, but the re-
suits obtained should be neither exag-
gerated nor belittled. Never have our
soldiers proved more admirable.
THE government has thought some
changes should be made and it has
made them. 1t has reorganized the
high command so as to relieve it of
everything not concerned with mill
tary operations. The minister of war
now works in cooperation with the
military committees of the chamber.
| ask postponement of the discussion
on this point until the work of bring
ing about this cooperation has been
/ concluded.
I'm reference to submarine warfare
l recognize that, while the tonnage
loss has diminished, we must seek
f,ofs eiiersetic and decisive means OF
dealing with submarines. We will
consider that situation further on Fri
day.
"As to the food supply we are ready
TO discuss it as soon as possible, be-
lieving that the country has not been
sufficiently informed"
Questions Confused
Taking up the Russian situation
Premier Ribot said it was necessary
TO combat dangerous sophisms which
sought to treat the restoration OF "our
lost provinces as being a question of
annexation and which also confused
the question of indemnities for raw
ages in the invaded provinces.
This indemnity is contribution
which is inflicted as a fine for wrong
done" said the premier. 1T is a re-
quirement which both law and equity
demand. The same reparation should
be required for all small nations
which have been crushed, for Bel
GUM, Serbia, Rumania and Monte
negro.
mo conquests and no covetousness
that, in substance, is what the Rus
sian government declares. France re-
plies that 1t could not oppress any
nationality even that of its enemies
1t will call to its aid to defend the
small nations not vengeance but JUS
tice.
Wishes Durable Peace.
What France also wishes is a dur
able peace, but we do not wish mill
tary dispositions to endure which can
destroy this durable peace when 1t is
comprehended this it would make
peace easier to attain. That is the
view of Russia at the moment when
the United States is making prepara-
tions to enter the war. Now, let Rus
sio make her offensive and we will be
able to talk of peace. not in an equiv
ocal manner, but openly and this
peace. if they do not ask it of us, we
will impose
The government submitted to the
chamber the. estimates for the third
quarter of the year, the general bug
get totalling 9,843 million francs and
the supplementary budgets totalling
1882, 100000 francs.
The general budget shows an in
crease of 21S,000,000 francs over the
second quarter of the year, but is
slightly below what was expected, en-
abling the minister of finance to state
in presenting the estimates:
For the first time since the be-
ginning of hostilities the aggregate of
government expenses begins to show
a certain tendency toward stability"