The Washington times., 1920-09-13
SEES new WAR.
W|THGERMANY.
French Minister Tells OF Meas
ures to Meet Fresh
German Peril.
ny NEWTON q. rARkE.
Ist~raa atiosat News Service.


PARIS, Sept. 13.-Hsving taken the
Position that she must reserve entire
berty OF action whenever hpr own
iserests are endangered, France
now has her military house in order
to meet any eventually from any quar-
TT.
This was explained TO the Interna-
t'Onal News Service today by Andre
Lefevre. minister OF war, in an In
terView dealing with the measures
he has taken since he assumed ofnce
on January 81.
'some people say that nm n
n,nnine on the subject OF possible
German axxression," declared the war
minister. 'STkey ssy thnt l anish ali
my speeches in the same manners 4
an minister of war, and II I were the
only one TO say IL. II In my duty 20
repeat that new war In possible,
and not to omit TO repeat It,
very well. / shall continue to say
IT, Peaceful though we are, l will
not cease to repeat 1t. What man
OF good sense among our allies and
among our dear friends in America
can believe we are going to risk. the
magnificent fruits of victory upon
whereby we would lose at the same
time their esteem, friendship, and
support?
GERMAN PERIL SEEN.
However. " is not our fault if
the dispositions of the Treaty OF
Versailles place France in such a
situation that the German peril re-
mains; IL not immediate, at least
always disQuieting and nearer than
generally expected. 1t is not the
iault Of France IL the execution or
the clauses OF the Treaty of Versailles
require that we show our teeth two
or three times every four months
or so.
In what manner does this attitude,
commanded by actual events, res
semble the spirit Of conquest at
tributed to us SO unjustly? When
ook ovr the ministry OF war we
did not have liberty of action. The
French army doubtless conserved It's
morale and the fine units were well
trained, but there was dangerous
lack of ammunition, the manufacture
Of which had been interrupted since
the armistice by the return to pri-
vate industry Of establishments de-
Yoted to making munitions during
the war.
"Furthermore, not only were mobili-
zation centers. badly reconstructed,
Following nasty uemODuIzAuOH, out
no plan Of transport by rail had been
definitely worked out. This is a cir
cumstance which would have caused
the greatest difficulties in case of sud
\ den trouble.
DEFECTS CORRECTED.
On a word, the French army at the
beginning of this year was not mobil-
lied.
when arrived at the ministry OF
war / was dismayed at the relative
powerlessness in which we found our
selves following the great celebration
of peace All my efforts weeT I'M
mediately directed in this sense
toward finding remedies. Reorganiza-
ton of the railway transport service
and the resumption Of normal manu-
facture of munitions especially attracted
my attention.
"The machinery was soon again IN
motion. On April 6, when German
impudence forced us to occupy nye
Rhineland cities we were ready. 1t
was at this time that the French
army really again became mopillzaoie.
We had now recuperated all our pos
sibilities of action. Since then things
have been getting better all the time.
NJ. Lefevre is departing upon the
first vacation since the war. At the
outbreak Of mobilization Of industry
for war purposes NJ. Lefevre was
distinguished chemist. He was placed
in charge of important war work and
retained his post until he entered the
~, in istrv