Putnam patriot., 1921-04-22

There was a moment of tense ex- citement in February when the Pre- mier, M. Briand, departed with Mar shal Foch for the Conference of Lon don. Our French friends were pre- dieting with typical Gallic frankness that the Briand ministry would fall if the premier returned to Paris empty handed. It was pointed out that it was not through national confidence in his integrity that NJ. Briand had been chosen premier, but that through his astuteness as a politician he would be able to match the nimble and changeable wits of MT. Lloyd George, whom France does not regard as a friend but as the creator of every pol icy that has delayed the payment of the German separations funds. It was said openly that if the Germans refused to pay, if France should be unable to carry her point in the con ference, there would be war and that right quickly.
 M Briand departed and the results of the conference, the unbending at titude presented to the German dele gates by French and English premiers alike, is now an old story.
 Later, however, in London, we heard from a well-known French cor respondent a story of the inner events of the opening of the conference which is not without it's sidelight on the results of this critical meeting. As for it's truth we have only the word of this exceptionally clever cores pondent It was as follows;
 The delegates at the invitation of Mir Lloyd George, prior to meeting the German commission headed by Dr. Simons, gathered at Downing Street, the residence cf the English premier Mir Llcyd Geo =. entering with his ustomary charm of smile and manner opened the session saying that, of course, while they were gathered to discuss the enforcement of the re- vised reparations terms, in his opinion there was need for some further dis cussion and possible alleviation of certain clauses. He continued in this vein for some minutes until interrupt ed by the quiet voice of the French premier, who said. very firmly:
 T beg your pardon, sir, but am afraid there has been a mistake. We came not to make terms, but to en- force them" Then, rising from his chair. he remarked, 'I think we just have time to catch the noon train for Paris"
 Instantly, Mr. Lloyd George, possi- bly, the greatest statesman of his time and surely the greatest moral bare back rider in all history, held up a protesting hand, took up the discus sion of forcing the Germans to terms and there was no further talk of re- vision of previous agreements. NJ. Briand'S action was characteristic of his demeanor throughout the confer ence. which on his return to Paris was heralded as the greatest French vic tory accomplished since the armistice. ! W Ill ait lllt OA tt4S TASSS- eiated Press. the brilliant communica- tions of American foreign cores pondenfs and the other means which keep US the best posted nation in the world on foreign as well as domestic affairs. it is to be seriously doubted | if, in the maelstrom of our own po- litical struggles and in the general at tempt to forget the welfare of hu- manity in general since the end of the war. we have in this country any cor rect conception of the sufferings of the French people and the wrongs which must be righted before they can again enjoy the privileges of free and unhampered nation.
 ! The opinion is frequently heard in this country that the French since the war have displayed grasping quail | ty, a surfeit of national egotism and selfshness which is, to say the least,