Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-09-26
HURRY TREATY,
IS CLEMENCEAU
PLEA To SENATE
But, Should y. S. Reject
1t, France Is Protected
by Other, He Says.
PARIS LEADERS FEARFUL
LEAGUE WILL LOSE OUT

Paris, Sept. 25.--(By The Associated
Press. Premier Clemenceau delivered
his long expected speech in the tribune
on the ratification of the peace treaty in
the chamber of deputies. this afternoon
The whole trend of his arguments in
favor of the treaty was that the treaty
was one Of solidarity between allies
who united in war, must be united in
peace.
NJ. Clemenceau admitted that the
treaty contained many imperfections
but said IT was the elimination Of the
work of .the coalition of liberation
the first of its sort in the history of
the world, as the treaty was the dawn
of a new era. He recalled the dark
days Of 1917. and declared to treaty op-
ponents that if d peace proposal had
been received then. returning Alsac
and Lorraine to France. no Trenchman
would have demanded the insertion OF
another clause but would have accepted
it.
Points to Reganed Province.
The treaty brought back more than
the lost province: it placed France on
the highest pinnacle of fame and honor
and in q few years would bring pros
perity.
Those who had spoken in the debate.
the premier pointed out, had criticized
the details of the treaty. which must De
considered accepted or rejected as a
whole. whether the instrument was help
full or harmful to France. The treaty
was .'the ensemble of possibilities.
which was worth what the future ruling
classes of France would make 1t by
their labor.
Spoke Near Collapse.
The premier spoke by a tremendous
effort. He remained on the tribune for
more than two hours. Many times he
seemed to weaken, his voice becoming
50 low as to be almost inaudible beyond
the first row of benches. But he waved
off the advice from all those IN the
chamber who suggested rest and dog
gedly continued TO display his indomnt-
able spirit. He passed lightly over the
criticism which has been prominent in
the debate that the French language is
not the official language of the treaty
saying:
language is spoken by nearly two-thirds
Of the civilized world
Mr. Clemenceau warned the chamber
that if it refused to ratify the treaty,
il. would make it an instrument of death
l.
the instrument, France would become
imbued with its spirit. which would mean
the life and resurrection of the country.
Premier Clemenceau said that if he
had any word to send the United states
senate it would be that it hurry the
ratification Of the treaty
Abiding to the entry Of the United
States into the war, the premier said
that France might count upon America
- IN,
Nj. Gemenceau said the league Of ma
tions was not as perfect as President
Wilson would have desired. but that he
(Clemenceaul had no criticism to Of
fer.
On Verge of German World.
If Germany had not declared war the
premier asserted. she would have Ger
manized the whole world within short
time.
NJ Clemenceau eulcSized the American
army. The war, he said. could not have
beer won without its aid
The premier spoke little more than
two hours. He held the close attention
/. of the chamber. except for brief but vIo-
lent Interruptions by the socialists.
The possibility Of non ratification Of
the peace treaty aid the covenant OF
the league of nations by the United
States senate: the consequences. In such
event, to the guarantees Tor the safety
ne France and the question whether the
league Of nations could exist without
the United States as member oc-
cupied Wednesday afternoons debate.
Senate Test Exctes French
The vote in the United States senate,
Tuesday. postponing consideration Of one
of the amendments is regarded here az
significant and caused surprise in the
French chamber. Louis Barthou re-
peatedIy asked the government for eS-
plantations.
Andre Tardeu, and Mr., Pichon, the
foreign minister, replied, but the
chamber was not satisfied. Premier
Clemenceau then declared that even IN
the event Of the United States senate
not voting for the league Of nations
covenant, the league could exist. The
treaties constituting protective alh-
ance between France. Great Britain and
the United States, he added. were not
dependent upon the league. They would
come into force, and France would be
protected