The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-21
BRAND WINS
CAUSE OF ARMY
AT CONFERENCE
French Premier EIOquentIy
Pleads Defense of Nation.
Declares Russia and Germany
Not Entirely QUelIed.
OTHER NATIONS FOLLOW SUIT
America Not Affected by Land
Forces Question.
Hughes Refers Subject to Spe-
cial Committee.
Declares Russia and Germany
Not Entirely QuelIed.
OTHER NATIONS FOLLOW SUIT
America Not Affected by Lane
Forces Question.
Hughes Refers Subject to Spe.
cial Committee.

Continental Hall Washington, Nov.
21-France. speaking thru her bril-
liant. eloquent premier, successfully
pleaded her cause today before the
congress of nations assembled in Con-
tinental hall.
With an eloquence and passion sell
dom. if ever, seen in the United States,
Premier BRAND explained and justi-
fled Frances maintenance of the
greatest standing army in continental
Europe by portraying his country sur
rounded by a menacing ring of foes
Russian and German-ready to pounce
again upon her borders if the oppor-
tunity arises.
Russia Menace to World.
He drew a terrific indictment
against Germany. as the ancient foe
of France, now masquerading as
broSsn nation. but in reality the old
miitaristic nation of before the war
AS for Russia, BRAND said she was
menace to the world, and France looks
with dread and terror upon a possible
coalition of these forces to overrun
Europe.
France already has reduced her
army to the lowest point consistent
with national safety, he declared
pointing out that one class of compu!-
sorry service already has been aboI-
ished and that pending bills in the
chamber of deputies will abolish an
other, making a net reduction OF one
half
tearfully, demand that France disarm
before a possible flood of anarchy ana
militarism pouring out of Russia and
Germany?
BRAND Has No Plan.
What would you do?" he said. and
then answered his own question by
declaring, YOU would say: We must
have an army
You in America" he said, looking
around at the galleries crowded with
breathless people, what would you
do. with this menace always at your
door. always ready to fight you again.
Would you turn away your eyes ana
lose your life, and what is more pre-
cious. your honor
NO" he shouted
The eloquent French premier did not
bring to the conference any program
for Limitation of land armament. He
mad. no suggestions, as to how the
crushing burden of taxation, under
which his country and the other states
of continental Europe are staggering,
can be lifted
Fe contented himself merely with
pleading his countrys justification in
face of increasing menace and so
passionately and eloquently did he per
form the task chat before he was thru
women in the crowded gallery were
moved to tears
He painted a vivid picture of Ger
man milftarism not dead, but merely
living dormant ready to strike at
France again when the moment ar
rives, just as It did in 1914.
Points Out Menace.
lo fN
Russia. filled with anarchy and
armed men. The combination of the
two. he warned was not an idle
dream. it was a hard, cold possibility
and had to be faced. Russia, he said,
has armed forces of 20,000,000 men,
Germany some 100000.
France already, Brand said has
cut down her army to almost the low
est possible point consistent with ma
tionaI safety.
The French army, he said, has been
cut down one-third already, and
would be still further reduced.
Tomorrow he said, we will have
cut down to one-half.'
The premier pointed out that laws
already were pending in the French
chamber of deputies decreasing the
period of compulsory military service
from three years to one and one-half
years,
The steps, BRAND said, have al
ready peeu taken Dy france. as an
evidence of her willingness to do her
utmost to realize the ideal of reduced
armament.
No promises for the future other
than these were made by the French
premier. and he merely pointed to
them as indicating Frances desire to
escape the accusation of being i'm
perialistic in her military policy.
Other Nations Plead Same.
When Premier BRAND had finished
addressing the arms conference to-
day, Arthur James Balfour, head of
the British delegation, presented the
viewpoint of Great Britain, but did not
reply in detail
Japan wants only such an army,
Baron Kato of the japanese delega-
aton, told the arms conference, as was
absolutely necessary for purely de-
fensive purposes necessitated by the
far eastern situation"
Speaking for Great Britain and in
reply to Premier BRAND of France
at the arms conference today. Arthur
James Balfour, heading the British
delegation, practically pledged the
support of Great Britain to France
IN the face of the lust for domination.
Other leaders spoke in the same
vein, and in conclusion Secretary
Hughes assured Premier BRAND that
France was in no sense in a moral
isolation and that the United States
fully realized her position.
Senator Schanzer, heading the ItaI-|
ian delegation, told the arms confer
ence today that altho Italy thought
100000 men just quota for her
army, plans were being made for a
further reduction.
L. S. Is Not Affected.
Secretary Hugh called the confer