Omaha daily bee., 1921-11-22
GERMANY STILL WORLD MENACE, BRAND

time in history that France has had
TO face a situation OF this kind. We
have known Prussia disarmed. And
disarmod by whomi by Napoleon.
Well. that Prussia, which seemed
practically disarmed, which was
harmless to all intents and purposes,
we found her again on the battle
field and we were nearly bled whiia
How can we forget thatl
OF course, we know what is often
said OF the French people. II Is
often said that we are frivolous
nation and that naturally when the
danger is passed, we turn our minds
TO other things-just as BELTS a
frivolous people.
Have Not Forgotten Lesson.
Evidently, gentlemen, we are not
the sort of men 10 keep our eyes
Steadily fixed on whatever is sad
and depressing. We have not been
doing that since the war. but we have
been too deeply wounded, might
almost say murdered, 10 forget the
direiul lesson which has Just been
taught us. Gentlemen. there are too
many homes in mourning IN this
country. there are too many men IN
the streets that are disabled and
manned. Even il we wanted to for
get, We could not !
Therefore, we have not the right
and we do not intend TO leave France
defenseless. France must, TO all in
tents and purposes. protect herself
Such is the situation as tar as we
are concerned. You will grant me,
gentlemen, that it is serious enough.
But that is not all. But what about
the rest OF Europe? Apparently Eu.
rope is at peace although here and
there on the ground certain volumes
Of smoke just arising seem to indicate
that the fire is not extingulshed
everywhere. might say that this
fire is smoldering in certain parts, OF
Europe and if France had not had
an army war, would already be-
breaking out in Europe again.
Cites Example Of Russia.
| will just draw your attention to
one subject and that is the subject OF
Russia. Russia is country OF ~
100000 men, which is actually boil
ing over with anarchy. They have
an enormous standing army, which is
in theory a million and half men,
but which has a practical strength
of 100000 men. What will Russia
do? Who can say what will happen
on that side? About year and a
half ago there was a wild rush OF
Russia on Europe. Russia tried to
rush Poland and through Poland
to reach Germany where some people
were beckoning to them. Gentle
men, we had at that time known
terribly anxious hours in France
If the barrier had not held good,
if that anarchist enemy had been
able to join the people who were
calling them on the other side what
would have happened? Where would
France be and where would the rest
of Europe be? Happily there was the
French army, which was the soldier
of order for its own account and
for the sake of the world.
The situation in Russia is tar IRON
being settled. 1t is sort OF perman'
ent anxiety to everybody. What
will become of its enormous army!
What could, or might Germany do
in order to equip Russia and ex-
ploit her. We know not. Three are
so many problems. economic, imam
cial, etc, with which we have to
deal, that really, gentlemen, we do
not know to which to turn, but the
greatest problem of all, the greatest
question is life. First of all we must |
be able OF live. That is sort of a
question mark in France. Thanks
to our allies, to whom our gratitude
will remain everlasting-thanks to
their efforts, we have been able |!
altogether to insure the life, liberty |
and dignity OF men, but gentlemen,
while | trust you will certainly feel
the weight OF my argument and rec.
ognize we are faced with a very |
terribly serious situation.
Is Exponent OF Peace.
When we say we contemplate
reduction of naval ornaments, when
we discsus it with ourselves, heart
to heart, we could have nothing III
our minds, we were speaking be-
tween friends. There is no threat
of war; if there is any menace to
peace it is so far distant that you
can hardly conceive it and yet you
have not assumed the rights Of
ignoring this danger. You intend to
keep your navies to the extent neces-
sary to defend your Liberties and in
sure your life.
While, if you do that, gentlemen,
on the sea, what shall we do when
the danger is there at our doors and
over our heads?
If there was any statesman-and
as one, may say that l have always
been in favor of peace; l have as
sumed powers for the sake of peace
IN very difficult conditions where my
country was feeling natural impati-
ence at the state of things, l formal
y attached myself to the cause OF
peace. l fastened my heart on that
aoble task, and l may say that if