New-York tribune., 1921-01-15
Peret Accepts
Premiership in
French Cabinet
BRAND Appinted Foreign
Minister; Poincare and
yiviani Offered Posts,
but Suggest Conditions
Moderates to Have Chance
New Leader Seeks Strong
Men to Handle British
and German Negotiations
By Ralph Courtney
saecial Cable to The Tribuns

SpcciUl CdOge 10 Ine Irt0Un6
rocyrisht, 1921. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS. Jan. 14.-President Millerand,
..conded by Aristide Brand and Louis
youcheur, to-day succeeded in persuad-
inc Raoul Peret TO abandon his position
ss President Of the Chamber of Depu-
ties and consent to become Premier of
France.
Political consultations, which con-
.inued all day, revealed Peret as the
only person capable of continuing Mil
lersnd's moderate policy and at the
same time of retaining the confidence
Of the Chamber. In these circum-
accent the premiership as his patriotic
auty. This appeal he could not very
we'll refuse.
Il remains to be seen how the
Chamber will receive Peret and his new
ministry, hut for the moment Millerand
seems to have triumphed over those
wLo wanted Raymond Poincare and a
policy OF force.
Peret mas offered the portfolio of
Minister Of Finance in his Cabinet 20
Poincare, but the acceptance of the
former President is in doubt. The
most significant feature of the Peret
ministry is that it means the return
80 power Of BRAND, for he will be the
rev Foreign Minister. Although Bri-
and might be disposed in certain cir
crmstances to use force, he does not
consider Germany a perpetual enemy
On the contrary, he is more inclined
TO aim at complete understanding
and even at friendly arrangements be-
tween the two countries. France ap-
pears TO be willing to give the policy
Of conciliation one more trial before
resorting &c other measures.
BRAND Stands Well With British
In the forthcoming Paris confer
ence, If this is not postponed, Peret
will play only minor role. He is in
experienced in foreign affairs, but he
has a strong Foreign Minister in Bri.
and, who is seasoned in international
negotiations. BRAND, moreover, is
personally acquainted with Lloyd
George and is on excellent terms with
him. AS Foreign Minister in other
years he did well in his negotiations
with Great Britain.
Brands presence in the Foreign Min
istry indicates Frances belief that the
present moment is not the right one in
which to be provocative toward Eng
land, however much France may regret
the lack Of support she fears from
across the Channel.
BRAND, if allowed to have his own
way, is not likely to make any sud-
den move against Germany. He is a
diplomat of great force and ability and
will endeavor to avoid difficulties. He
is particularly suited to negotiate with
England regarding the Orient because
he never was an ardent supporter O.
Venizelos. Although he believes that
the Treaty of Sevres gave the Greeks
too much, he nevcg. favored dethron-
ing Constantine.
BRAND, besides bein. resourceful, is
said to have demonstrated that he has
coolness and strength under trying cir
cumstances, when he presided at meet
ings of the Allied leaders during the
dark days Of the war.
This afternoon President Millerand
consulted, among others, former Pre-
mier Louis Barthou. who since his at
tack on England in the Chamber six
weeks ago, has remained in the polit-
ieai background. Alexandra Ribot and
Andre Tadieu also visited the Elysee
Palace.
Peret Wants Strong Men
When ?eret accepted the task of
forming new ministry, he told the
President that he would take the Of
fce only if he could ge, together
Cabinet Of strong men. He said he
wanted q national Cabinet to include
BRAND, Rene Viviani and even Poin-
care, although the latter represents