The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-23
French Army
Keeps the Peace

Keeps the Feace
washington, Nov. Is (Pf the AS
sociated Press).-War woald have
broken out in Europe three or
four times since the signing OF the
armistiee had it not been for the
French army, Pren'ier BRAND de-
clared today in co., .ersation with
American newspaper correspond
ents. The French premier was
discussing his forthcoming speech
Monday before the third plenary
session of the arms conference
which, he said, would not be an
oration but rather an explanation.
..I shall ask the American peo-
pie" said he, "to place themselves
in the position of the French peo-
pie for three-quarters \of an hour
and survey the European sltua-
ton as we see it and feel it.
France does not want a large
army any more than you do. We
wish it were possible to reduce be-
low the minimum that we now
have in mind, but we must, as we
are alone, secure ourselves. France
is not asking for any guarantees
She is not asking for anything. II
il were possible for Great Britain,
the United States and Italy to say,
IF you are attacked. we will be with
YOU then it would be possible for
us to disarnl. But if you simply
say, DO not be afraid; tran
.quilize yourselves, no one is going
to attack you,' that is not sufii-
cient.
There is the Russian army of
$500, 600. You must say, Why do
you mention that; Russia is not at
tacking you? Poland is the only
barrier. II France had not had a
strong army last year, the barrier
would have fallen. The soviet
troops would have been in Ger
many. There would have been
anarchy in central Europe No, we
must have an army to secure our
selves and maintain order"
NJ. BRAND turned to other sub
jects.
Eve can rot look upon the sub
marine question in the same way as
Mr.. Balfour," he continued. France
must defend herself on three seas
and we have possessions remote
from our country. Mr. Balfour said
nothing respecting maintaining
communications that would not ap-
ply to us. France abandoned her
construction program OF 1912 when
the war came on, and nearly all Of
our light vessels were destroyed
during the war. They have not
been replaced. The French navy
of today can not be taken as a pro-
portionate standard"
The French prime minister did
not go further on the submarine
question, although he was pressed
with questions. He replied that as
the naval experts were in process OF
discriminating limitations he must
wait until they had arrived at con-
clusions.
81 shall be sorry to leave at an
interesting moment in the confer
ence," continued N. BRAND. II left
France when parliament was in full
course. Several important and del
icate questions are being delayed
by my absence, particularly the
French budget. I have no right to
remain away longer because, if I
did, my valise would be overpack-
ed with too many difficulties. But
1 wanted to come and I am glad l
did. I believe the principles Of a
settlement on Far Eastern ques-
tons and naval reduction will have
been settled by the time I must
leave.
These settlements will give us
peace; but not only peace in the
ordinary sense, but 1 hope, peace of
mind-the atmosphere of peace.
Neither Great Britain, the United
States, Japan nor France have
imperialistic designs on China. We
shall, trust, be able to form an
entente on Far Eastern questions,
so that China shall have territorial
integrity and political independ-
ence."
Some one mentioned the war
debts; whether they would be dis
cussed.
The debts are not on the pro-
gram laid before US by the Ameri-
can government" replied NJ.
BRAND. Consequently the debts
will not be discussed. We are not
asking that they shall be; we take
the program as it is presented. We
shall pay the debts. 1t was in a
sense contracted for our common
purpose during the war and we
shall have to have some time, but
| we shall pay it,
The premier did not indicate
when he would return to the Wash
inston conference. During his alb
sence NJ. Viviani, former premier
Of France, will be head of the dele
cation.