New-York tribune., 1919-07-23

Defeats Foes:
Keeps Power
Continued from page !

if you should send me from this trib-
une in the minority"
AS M. Clemenceau descended from tho
Tribune it was recalled that just one
year ago to-day, the Premier, arriving
from the Chateau Thierry sector. where
Marshal Foch's offensive was marking
time on the Germans third line Of de-
fence, told the assembled newspaper men
I'VE have won the war" as to-day he
said: LET us make peace
The old chief was in great form. in
meeting interruptions from the extreme
left. In a bantering totne he said: .1
am willing to retire # Monsieur Chan
met Will succeed me-"
Even Enemies Applaud Premier
NJ. Chaumet was sponsor for tha in
terpellation regarding the high cost of
living. Even NJ. Cachin and NJ. Sem
bat were unable to hide their merri-
ment and applauded the Grand Old Man.
Then resuming his seriousness. NJ
Clemenceau said:
the greatest catastrophe the world has
ever known. You may forget it, but
|, who am struggling with these diff
cultles, have a right to mention them
A barbarbous nation has set fire to
the four corners of the world, and for
tive years the most abominable war in
history has held sway And you de
SIRE that on the very day that the
signatures are placed at the bottom of
the peace treaty the ante bellum status
prevails.
Gentlemen. to console myself from
the reproaches which you addressed to
me, | have merely to think of those
which will be levelled at my successor"
Amid from cheers from ell parts Of
the chamber, the vote was taken.
Deputy Francois-Fournier opened the
fight on the government by an attack
on Cleme nceau's policies. NJ. Clemen-
ceau and all the ministers were on the
government bench. The chamber was
crowded.
1t was announced before the debate
began that the government would in
troduce an amnesty bill. The question
Of amnesty, grown more acute since
the German treaty was signed, is an
other of the issues on which the gov
ernment has been criticised
The bill prepared by the government
is Of general nature. 1t excludes,
however, persons convicted Of crimes
or offences under the common law and
the crimes of treason. communication
with the enemy, espionage trad ng
with the enemy, unlawful price raising
speculation. conspiracy Of an anarch-
istic nature, and the inst eating Of
soldiers to disobedience or desertion
10000 Persons Affected
1t is estimated by "L'Homme Libre ;"
formerly edited by Premier Clemen-
ceau that 10000 persons will come
under the amnesty act.
NJ. Francois-Fournier. opening the
attack upon the government, recalled
the meeting on Friday when the vote
on the food policy showed the govern
ment to have minority. He said NJ
Boret, Food Minister. who resigned
was abandoned by colleagues, but that
it was the governments economic
policy that led to NJ Borets resigna-
.ion. He said the economic situation
was serious and that the country con-
sidered the governments announced
programme To be insufficient.
After criticising in detail the eco
nomic policy Of the government, NJ.
Francois-F Fournier took up the foreign
policy. He advocated more intimate
alliance with Italy and concluded by
ASKING the tnStnCer TO say Il II m
dorsed the governments errors, which
ne said compromised the fruits Of VIC
tory.
To Prosecute Profiteers
NJ. Joseph j. B. E. Noulens, the new
Food Minister, in reply outlined the
governments economic policy. He told
Of measures taken TO increase the
supply of wheat and sugar and as
serted the government could not be
taxed with lack of foresight. In con-
clusion, he said he would oppose food
spectators implacably and would
prosecute all offenders.
NJ Clementel, Minister Of Com
merce, emphasized the necessity of
maintaining control Of wheat and
sugar throughout the world and an
nounced that the Allied governments
had decided to organize conferences,
in which neutral nations should take
part, to reach conclusions on the criti-
cal economic situation throughOut the
world and to submit these findings TO
all governments.