Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-23
FRANCE SPURNED
HER PROPHETS
Paul Adams Warnings, First
Sounded in 1899, Fell on Deaf
Ears-Germany Was
Planning Then
By HENRI BAZIN



IN France.
PARIS, May 27.
AT HIS home, 10 Quai de Passy, was
"A received by Paul Adam, patriot, diplo'
mat author and playwright.
NJ. Adam, who represented France at The
Hague upon two historical occasions, Is
like many able writer's in France. well
known to his own countrymen and too little
known beyond the frontiers of his native
land. Were men Of NJ, Adams genuine
talent German and possessed of the Ger
manic thirst for publicity they would long
since have been translated to the English
tongue. Being French and engrossed in
their work, writing earnestly with high
ideals ever before them, they are seemingly
content to be famlliarly known only where
their native language is read and spoken.
Than Paul Adam no single Frenchman
more clearly foresaw the war Germany
would some day precipItate upon France
more earnestly preached preparation
- alnst It, His many able books and plays
give clear evidence that his facile pen was
constantly used to further this end
"I was" he said. "one of the repre-
sentatives for France at the first Hague
conference in 1899 and again at the second
in 1907. It was after the first, when
Marshal Won Biebersteln categorlcally re-
fused for Germany even TO consider the
question Of international arbitration, that
my vague impression as to relatively
early war with Germany became, as It were,
a reality TO my mind l then felt absolutely
that Germany would, when in her own
estimation she was strong enough and
sufficiently we'll prepared reasonably to as.
sure victory through superior strength and
armament, force war upon France upon
some pretext that might be in itself but
a mere means to the end Of conquest
Won Bieberstein's Doctrine of Force
AT the first and memorable conference
only three among forty-five representatives
for their nations refused the idea of inter-
national arbitration-Germany, England
and Rumania I received the impression at
the time that the English declination was
largely due to the Initial and Immediate
precedent set forth by Won Biebersteln, who
in velvet tones said in substance:
| might Is inc OHly means OF realizing
right Germany will never consent to any
scheme or plan that would disarm her of
freedom in pursuing any course which in
the opinion OF her statesmen might involve
the future OF the empire
From that day, and with even nnors
feryor after the second conference in IeO7
bent all my energies toward fostering q
policy in France that spelled preparation
| / touched upon II In some form in an my
books and plays, covered It in newspane,
articles and spread It broadcast as far a,
my voice would permit I had many pubIi,
and semipublic discussions with eminert
men who were of the opinion that / wa,
making a mountain out of a molehill. Tn
certain measure l made myself unpopuIa,
as an 'alarmist' but my conscience told ~,
was engaged In a work that was nro
foundly attached 20 the continued peacs y,
France as a world Power of the first ranl,
'I was able 10 secure some small mea sur,
Of success but It was slight in compariso,
with the gravity OF the situation as I ssv
It after my Hague experiences. When ~,
war came IN 1914 France was one-nintl
prepared against Germanys seven.ninfhe
Today see. and happily. that many 81 ~,