The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-13
FRANCE STILL FEARS
GERMAN INVASION
Marcel Knecht Says People
Will Follow Clemcnceau
to Death.
DISTURBED BY IDEAIISM
Common Sense Behind Coun.
try's Demand for Security.
He Asserts.
DISTURBED By IDEAIISM

A warning that France still feared 'or
her safety should German power he re.
stored and that the French people would
follow Premier Clemenceau ito the death
IL necessary" in the demands he was
making at the Peace Conference was
voiced last night by Marcel Knecht " the
French High Commission In an address
before 1000 members and guests OF the
National Retail Dry Goods Association
at its eighth annual banquet AT the new
Hotel Pennsylvania. He contrasted TIE
two nations. which he characterized a'
brothers whose friendship never could
be dissolved. by say ing that America had
vision while France had common sense
THE brother with vision and 70
hatred must forgive the other brother,
II he hasn't the same vision said ne.
HE lives In small country, which has
not always been safe and must lie pro-
tected by an army or League OF Ma
tions-somethng stronger than vision
and fine words. We have not your
vision: you have not our prudence
Small differences which mean nothing
have been created by cable reports and
newspapers The situation Is clear.
France wants no more war and he
slaughter OF men, women and children.
She asks your brotherhood and that
she shall be protected in the future from
Germany.
although still suffering from tho cor
sequences Of the war. with refugees stu
In Paris, our feeling is not reaction
against the idealism of America. II IS
only the nervousness of man who has
| been nearly killed and is still suffering.
We never have been. and never will be-
poisoned by PrussianisNn in France
Everything which hurts France hurts
the United States. and everything which
hurts the United States hurts France.
stands BY the cold Tiger"
I'VE wish you to forgive us If sons-
times we have too much common sense
as we forgive you If you have too much
vision. The old Tiger OF France repre-
sents the realistic patriotism Of The
country-always aggressive. as we had
fewer people than Germany and feared
attack Our people are willing 10 To-.
low him TO the death IL necessary. As 10
led us to victory with Wilson and tocA."
Mr. Knecht declared that the United
States and France would live IN ''pcrnla-
nent brotherhood for the benefit Of The
world" and closed with a tribute %
President Wilson, proposing a toast
which was drunk STANDING Croton
water. .,..,.,.... ...
William c. Redfield, Secretary OF COM
merce, discussed his plan for IT," ap-
po!ntment Of a committee of six men %
take up the problem Of reducing prices
after a series Of conferences with re
leaders OF individual industries, 90
which he said he was awaiting the a1-
prevail of President Wilson by cable.
He hoped. he said that the conferences
would result in such a reduction %
prices that "the Government would SAL
II would be n buyer at those figures
Mr. Redfeld warned the merchants that
the present high cost OF living could not
be maintained without grave danger 70
the United states because it inspires
Bolshevism.'
BOlsheviki Active Here.
The extent to which BolsheNlk i,r.a.
ganda was being carried on In the lui'ed
States was unsupported by most people
Mr.. Redfeld told his hearers. He SAL
Bolshevik agent had recently been
arrested with two checks for $4,000 rs,.I
in his possession and that he admitted
he had been sent here to use the money
In payment for the printing and o!r u
lating OF revolutionary literature
"Bolshevism has shown It's head n
New England and to some extent j. Sew
Jersey he Went on. but on the V'1e
the American revolution is over. sip
pose there are many Ole HausoGs In
the United States. ! know the MAJ
OF Seattle personally and he j. a ...-