New-York tribune., 1921-11-22

many crltlcel times IN my life may
say that no hour was perhaps Of moro
importance than that. and TINT | clearly
and definitely made up my mind, and
told Germany that such thing was
not possible, and that IL Germany un-
dertook thing of the sort she would
nave to bear the consequences, and the
language was understood.
But, gentlemen, il / had spoken
without having the French army back
of me what would my words have be-
Gomez And il the event had actually
taken place, what would have become
Of Europe itself? Europe is still In n
young states, newly come to life. Who
could say what such conflict might
have become?
"That is the problem and that was
the problem, and the struggle did not
take place because it was felt that
there was still sufficient force in
Europe and in France to preserve or
der.
quite recently another attempt has
been made, certain attempt at the
restoring Of the old order Of things
in the Center of Europe, that might
have set fire to the powder magazine
again. Nothing happened because the
Allies we're in perfect understanding
and the incident was peaceably set
tied.
"Gentlemen, I give you these re-
fiections for you to ponder over. You
will see that there is nothing in that
that would draw us aside from the
path that leads to final peace. ! apol-
ogize for having been with you so long
and for having so trcspassed upon your
attention. Perhaps at another time
the president will be less inclined to
allow me to speak.
Troops Cut One-Third
"The thought Of reducing the arma-
ments, which was the noble purpose of
this conference, is not one from which
we would feel disinterested from the
point of view Of land ar1naments. We
have shown il already. Immediately
after the armistice rehabilitation be-
gan, and rehabilitation began as rap
idly and as completely as possible. Ac-
cording to the military laws Of France
there are to be three classes of men
that is, three generations of young men
under the flag. That law is still extant;
that law is still valid. 1t has not been
abrogated yet, and the government has
two years the time spent under other
flags, and instead OF three CLASSES
three generations Of young nen--we
have only two undergoing military serv-
ice. 1t is, therefore, an immediate re-
duction by one-third that has already
taken place in the effectiyes--and / am
speaking of the normal effectives of the
metropolis, leaving aside troops needed
for colonial occupation or obligation
imposed by treaty in Rhineland coun-
tries or other plebiscites. We do not
think that endeavor was sufficient, and
in the future we have plans in order
to further restrict the extent of our
armies. In few days it is certain that
the proposals Of the government will
be passed in the chamber, and in order
to further reduce the military service
by half. That is to say, there will be
only one class and half actually serv-
ing. The metropolitan French army
would be, therefore, reduced by half,
but If anybody asks us to go further,
to consent TO other reductions, should
have to answer clearly and definitely
that it would be impossible for us to do
it without exposing ourselves to most
serious danger.
Moral Disarmament Dangerous
"You might possibly come and tell
us this danger that you are exposed
to, we see it, we realize it and we are
going to share it with you. We are
going to .offer you all means--put all
means at your disposal in order to
secure your safety
Immediately, if we heard those
words, of course, we would strike upon
another plan. We should be only too
pleased to demonstrate the sincerity
of our purpose. But we understand
the difficulties and the necessities of
the statesmen of other countries. We