New-York tribune., 1917-06-02
Denies That France Has
Secret Treaties with
Russia
Passports Refused
To Socialists
Announcement Is Wildly
Cheered by the
Deputies

Paris. June Premier Ribot an
nounced in the Chamber Of Deputies
to-day in behalf of the government that
passports would not be issued TO
French Socialists wishing to so TO
Stockholm. and that passports for Pet
rograd would be given Socialists only
when there was no longer danger OF
their meeting enemy delegates in Stock
holm.
"Victory alone can bring peace. so
far as il concerns France it should be
French peace" declared NJ. Ribot.
The Premier's declaration brought
three-fourths of the members OF the
Chamber TO their feet in a demonstra-
ton unsurpassed in enthusiasm since
the beginning of the war, except in the
historic session of August 4. 1914, and
the manifestation in honor Of the in
+ervention of the United States in the
war.
NJ. Ribot spoke with deep feeling
and extemporaneously. His voice.
though clear, was often pitched so 10"
that members OF the Chamber called
out "Louder!" Some Of the phrases
Of his speech were drowned IN ap-
plause. while others were lost in the
loud interruption from the extreme
Socialists. The more moderate mem
bers of the Socialist party, such as
Jules Guesde, a former Minister OF
State, and the venerable NJ. Groussier,
Joined IN the applause.
Galleries Crowded
The galleries were crowded TO their
limit. In the diplomatic box were NJ
Iswolskv, the Russian Ambassador, and
NJ Vesnitch, the Serbian Minister.
Deputies from all parts of the Cham
Der called for the posting Of NJ. Rioots
speech throughout France, but NJ
Ribot requested the Chamber no. to
consider the question in view OF the
division Of sentiment.
On a proposal Of Marcel Cachin, the
Socialist Deputy who recently returned
from Russia, the Chamber voted the
holding of secret sitting to learn the
facts adduced by the visit of NJ. Cachin
to Petrograd and 10 take cognizance OF
documents brought back by him, con-
cerning which Paris has been Mica
with gossip for the last few days. The
Chamber later went into secret session
and after three hours adjourned until
tomorrow.
A French Peace
Premier Ribot's statement TO the
Chamber was in part as follows;
"It is certain that in peace negotia-
tions no party can take the place OF the
government. The peace of tomorrow
cannot be d peace of any party. 50
far as IL concerns France it should be
q French peace. When the hour comes
the government will ask the advice OF
your committee and it will tell every
thing.
ct would be laughable II one sought
70 make the country and army believe
that peace could come from sucn con-
ferences Victory alone can bring
peace. What would they think OF US IN
the United States il we allowed Amerl-
cans 70 believe there was WEAKNESS
among US after three years OF war (.
Our energy must continue indomitao!e'
Denies Secret Agreements
Premier Ribot then referred 20 what
he termed ant"audacious and impudent
campaign" 20 spread reports that secret
agreements had been signed with Rus
tia, adding:
1T is even said that secret conven-
tion with Russia. which is offensive
and non-defensive, exists and that II
was executed By the President OF the
republic himself. Gentlemen, that IS
a. infamy."
The Premier closed with the an
nouncement that the government was
ready 20 arrest certain elements
charged with melting riots and that the
government also would see that foreign
residents in France did not escape re
fooneibility 20 the military laws OF
their own countries.