Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-23
RTBOT INSISTS ALSACE
MUST BE FRENCH AGAIN

| PARIS. May 23.--Premier Ribot, In a
! discussion OF the Russian situation In the
| Chamber Of Deputies. said It was neces-
| sary to combat dangerous sophsms which
, sought to treat the restoration Of "our
| lost provinces" as being question Of
annexation, and which also confused the
question Of ndemnities for ravages in the
invaded provinces.
This indemnity Is contribution which
is inflicted as fine for wrong done" said
the Premier. 1T is requirement which
both law and equity demand. The same
reparation should he required for all small
nations which have been crushed, for Bel
gium. Serbia Rumanla and Montenegro.
NO conquests and no covetousness-
that. in substance, Is what the Russian
Government declares France replies that
II could not oppress any nationality, even
that Of its enemies. II will call TO its aid
10 defend the small nations, not vengeance,
but Justice.
What France also wishes is a durable
peace. We do not wish military despot-
isms 10 endure which can destroy this
peace when II is once made, If the Ger
man people comprehended this II would
make peace easier 10 attain. That Is the
view Of Russia at the moment when the
United states is making preparations to
enter the war. Now let Russia make her
offensive and we will be able to talk Of
peace, not in an equvocal manner. but
openly, and this peace. If they do not ask
II Of us. we will impose"
NJ Rbot prefaced his reference to Rus
sIa by asking for postponement Of the
debate, because Of conversations to which
the French Government has been invited
by the Russian Government
I'VE are following the development Of
the Russian revolution with the utmost care
and sympathy he continued THE emil
nent and courageous statesmen of Russia
were surrounded for a time by influences
which rendered their action difficult but
the men Of intelligence who now have taken
In hand the Russian Government, have
made declarations which give us complete
satisfaction. They say that they wish a
strong Government, and they desire above
all to establish in the armv that severe
discipline which is an Indispensable cond-
tion Of the eXistenre Of the Russian nation"
He created intense interest by reading
a telegram received from the Russian Minis
ter Of Foreign Affairs, which said:
Russia will never forget the elation
with which France entered the war on
our side and will always remember that
at the moment of the present crisis in
Russia's existence IL was the splendid
effort Of the French people which at
tracted the enemy masses toward the
west and thus permitted our Russian
forces to gain time for reorganization.
Long-Contnued cheers greeted the reading
Of this telegram, after which the Premier
continued.
81 accept fCG my country these words
Of confidence and gratitude. Yes. we march
hand in hand with Russia ever faithful
Yes, at this moment France retains on
her front all those German hordes gathered
from the Russian front, permitting Russia
TO recover herself and prepare that con-
fraternity Of arms which will demonstrate
that there is no question OF a separate
peace.
As to the conditions of that peace the
Russian Minister OF Foreign Affairs has
himself exposed the sophsms whereby Ger
manys formula Of no annexation is made
the pretext for Germany's holding the prov
nces she tore from France. She annexed
these provinces, always French until yes
terday. There stands Germany, the cul-
rrit guilty Of annexation. We ask simply
for restitution Of what belongs TO us and
not for annexation"