The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-31

plain myself knd keep running to the
speakers rostrrnl.
France was In an especially difficult
situation. II was the country nearest
Germany. America was far away and
took her time 10 come into the war.
England came at once at the call OF Mr..
Asquith. We suffered and fought our
men were moved down and our towns
and villages were destroyed.
There Is an old system Of alliances
called the balance of power 1t seems
to be condemned nowadays, but II such
a balance had preceded the war; II Eng
land. the United States. France and
Italy had agreed, say, that whoever at
tackled one OF them attacked the whole
world. the war would not have oc-
CURED. This system of alliances, which
l do not renounce, will be my guiding
thought at the peace conference II your
confidence sends me there.
II have been reproached with deceiv-
ing President Wilson. do not under
stand why. I have made Il a rule not
TO question him. but to let him develop
his views. That is what he did. Presi-
dent Wilson, to whom certain persons, In
the interest OF their parties, attribute In
tentlons which, perhaps, are not his. has
opehed his mind and has inspired re-
sptct through his simple speech and the
nobility of It,
President Wilson said to me I will
try to convince you. but perhaps you
will convince me.
You know that reservations have
been made on the question of freedom of
the seaS Premier Lloyd George said
to me one day You will admit that
without the British feet you could not
have continued the war I answered In
the affirmative. The British Premier
then asked me II l was disposed TO do
anything In opposition to British ideas
on the freedom of the seaa- answered
in the negative. Concerning this question
President Wilson said to me:
~ approve OF what you said. What
I have to offer the allied Governments
will change in no way your answer to
Premier Lloyd George"
Opposition Is Attacked.
lie Lberte in an editorial to-day
scores the opposition for Yesterdays de-
bate in the Chamber OF Deputies, charg-
ing that II was endeavoring to arouse
between Premier Clemenceau and Pres!-
dent wilson an artificial conflict.
Deputy Paul Mounier, director of
Ve7fte, the Socialist organ and mouth
piece of former Premier Caillaux. in an
editorial with regard TO the views Of
Wilson and Clemenceau. says:
The two men have nothing in COM
mon. On the one side Ia the old policy
o. military alliances ruinous ornaments.
eternal war and secret diplomacy; on
the other side democracy. mistress OF
herself. Is imposing universal alliance
OF the peoples on out of date Govern
ments. There is now an abyss between
France and America"
The morning newspapers generally APP
prove the Premier's speech with the ex-
ception Of the Unified Socialists and
some Radical organs. The FiodTO says
the Premier told the Chamber and the
country what they should be told and
his words should be read and medi-
tated upon by the whole land"
Premier Clemenceau. who IL IS years
old, had only a few hours sleep on a
lounge before ;esuming the battle this
morning. He had remained in the
Chamber until ! o'clock Monday morn
ing.
After the debate was concluded to-day
the Premier went to the Ministry of
War. where he worked throughout the
remainder OF the morning. and in the
afternoon he received several callers,
among them Marshal Foch.
NJ Clemenceau intends 10 leave Paris
tomorrow evening for a weeks rest.