Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-09-18
PACT PROVIDES
GUARANTEEF0R
FRANCE, CLAIM
Clernenceau Foresaw
Necessity for Protec-
ton Against Germany.
Differences With Pom
caire Explained by
French Political w ritter
BY ANDRE TAkOIEU
Former French High Commissioner to
America.
Special Cable to The Tribune.
Copyright, 1921, by The Tribune.

Former French High Commissioner to
America.
Special Cable to The Tribune.
Copyright, 1921, by The Tribune.
Paris, Sept. IA discussion run
care and myself has attracted such at
tention in the American press that a
clear statement of the question prob
ably will be of interest.
OF course, l shall omit everything
attributable to domestic politics which
do not interest overseas friends, but
the debate also touches grave inter
national question whose Importance it
is impossible to exaggerate. NJ. Poin-
care complains of the position in which
France has been placed since the peace
by the policies of her late allies and
associates in the war. Every French
man complains with him. The treaty
of Versailles, the fruit of five months
of negotiations, was a compromise or
q balance.
Differences With PoIncare.
The refusal of the United States to
ratify either the treaty or the pro-
posed special alliance with France, and
David Lloyd Georges insistence upon
revision Of one Of the most important
clauses in Germany's favor, have de-
prived France of the advantages for
which she made many sacrifices.
NJ. Poincare holds that this advan-
tage to France has been without COM
pensation or remedy That is where /
differ with him. l hold that Clemen-
ceau's government, having foreseen ex
actly what has since happened, had
provided remedy. This involves the
whole question Of guarantees by Ger
bank of the Rhine Clemenceau de-
manded at the peace conference that
the left bank Of the Rhine should be
occupid until the German debt was en-
tirely paid, meaning at least 30 years.
President Wilson and Lloyd George,
the other members of the ''big three"
refused this proposal and suggested
instead the amendment whereby the
Unitd States and Great Britain would
come Immediately to the assistance Of
France in the event of an unprovoked
attack by Germany. Clemenceau !
flatly rejected this substitute. But |
finally on April %, 1919, it was agreed |
that besides the treaties of Versailles |
there should be occupation of the left |
banks, Selling after Is years if Ger
many meanwhile had not lived up to
all Of her obligations.
CIemenceau Reminds Wilson.
However, NJ. Clemenceau very wisely
reminded President Wilson that the
treaties must be ratified by the Amer
lean senate and the British parliament
In such case, if Germany faithfully
executed the treaty for Is years,
France must be obliged to evacuate
without having any guarantees as to
the further carrying out of the provi-
sions
This remark was so obviously Just
that first Mr.. Wilson and then Mr..
Lloyd George agreed to add the follow
ing clause to Article 429 of the treaty:
''If, at any date (the expiration of IS
years. the guards against unprovoked
aggression by Germany are not consid- !
cred sufficient by the allied and assoc l.,
ciated governments, the evacuation of !
the occupying troops may be delayed
to the extent regarded as necessary ,
for the purpose obtaining the required
guarantees.
This text is so clear that comment
would be superfluous. If after IL
years the guarantees remain insuffi-
cent the occupation may be prolonged
Still more so if the guarantees are lack
ing altogether, which of course will be
the case if the treaties of Versailles {
are not ratified. I
Consequently, in the present state !
Of things French troops cannot legiti- :
nately be compelled to evacuate by
1885.
France on Solid Ground.
That is why have protested against =
VI. Poincare saying that France is be
.ween two stools" on this guarantee I
question. On the contrary, France :
stands solidly ON a right inscribed in !.
he treaty. ! spent hour after hour in y
.egotiations, from April % to %, which :;
'nded in adding the above clause
till have the rough drafts of the sue '
.essive proposals with the various II
inserted by Messrs. Will n
ION, Clemenceau, Lloyd George and
uyself.
All that affirm is incontestible and Q
borrower the treaty text itself is suf- G
icient. a.
The question here involved is vital e
0 France" France rightly demands h
ONE positive guarantees that invasion, e'
uttered twice in so years, shall not A
e repeated. ,
We cannot afford the luxury of be- B
~ battlefield every 20 years for the
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