Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-24

Copyright, 1919, by the Press GuD-
fishing Co.
(The New York World)
Especial Cable Despatch to The
World and albuquerque JournaD
Paris, Feb. 2S-In the course of
conversation with Albert Thomas, So
cialist deputy in the French chamber
of deputies and former minister of
ornaments, ana leader in the social
ist party, | learned of the French So
cialist peace program and their views
on international affairs.
Fhe French socialists are firm sup
porters of President Wilson and his
peace program and have continually
blamed the Clemenceau government
for what they call ''its imperialist
ambitions Deputy Thomas said AMI
he. thought he spoke for his whole
party, that he repudiated all annex
auons. He did not want to see
Frances great symbolical victory.
the return of Alsace-Lorraine, spoiled
by any annexations of any sort, but
what we do want" he remarked, SIS
that France be adequately protected
in the future. This can only be done
by the naturalization of the left bank
of the Rhine.
Want Foe Kept Down.
by that | mean that all fortresses
should be demolished and the pres
ence of German soldiers forbidden
and strict control over Germany by
the society of nations, once it is
formed.
French public opinion is rather
sceptical about the society of nations
and Germany's membership. 1t is
not satisfied by the covenant drawn
up, Give it some. tangible proof that
the society of nations is going TO pro-
tect France on her eastern frontiers
and the whole country will be with
you. You must remember that
France has been menaced for more
THAN eighteen centurisk, and con-
stantly invaded"
What view do the socialists take
of the question of the Saar valley?"
he was asked.
we agree concerning this matter
that France should have the SaaT
valley, and / would beg our Ameri-
can friends not to consider this dues-
ton as one of the desired annexation
on the part of France. The Saat
valley has belonged to France, and
with Alsace- Lorraine is now indis-
nensable to us, firstly, because with
the return Of our two lost provinces
will come n great industrial effort in
Alsace-Lorraine.
Must Have Coal Supply.
1.-THE factories which are beine
built, and others which are even now
working for French interests will MOI
be able to do so unless they have
coal from the Saar valley. Secondly
we would claim the Saar valley ant
its coal mines as a Just PREPARATION
for damage done our mines in nor.
thern France by the Germans. II
will be years before our own mines
are yielding anything like their nor.
NAL output, and our annual deficit If
coal will be enormous unless we use
German or Saar valley COAL
You have just mentioned the wore
'rep1ration; what is the Socialist
view with regard to reparations and
indemnitles?' Deputy Thomas was
asked.
1--WE do not ask for any punitive in.
IDENTITIES, but we do ask for integra
PREPARATION by Germany of our devas
tated districts in the north"
What has been the~result of Tho
Berne socialist conference; what will
be the effect of the reconstruction OF
the Internationale? ?"
Il am sorry to say that the Berne
conference gave poor and uncertain
results, but the reassembling of tbs
Internationale will have a far-reach.
ing influence. AS you know, two i'm
portant questions divided all the
delegates, that of the German re.
sponsibility for the war, which was
shelved, notwithstanding my firm
protests, and that of Bolshevism ant
its abominable effects.
Need Socialist Support
But in regard to the conference
we must again go back to the ques
ton of the society of nations. To be
powerful and effectual, the society o.
nations, once formed, must have the
support of all democratic parties. To
day the democratic parties are rep
resented by the socialist and workin:
classes. To live, the society of ma
tons must have the support of tn,
1nternationale, and the reconstitu
ton of this assembly will have a ia
reaching effect in supporting the so
Getty of nations, if we consider i
powerful enough"
but what about the American so
cialists? Did they not condemn you
meeting with the German socialists?
Yes, that is true. but I would hav
you tell American socialist circle
that instead of stunning us the,
ought to work with us. A just an,
lasting peace can onlyN come abnu
when all the working and sociaIis