The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-18
FRENCH PREMIER
RESIGNS POST
BRAND Resigns Post as
French Premier
RESIGNATION is
GREAT SURPRISE

| fUt Speech After Return from Cannes
and Seemed 20 have Won Over on
poncnts when He Dramatically Re-
signs Post.
Paris, Jan. l2.-Aristide BRAND to-
day resigned from the premiership,
and Raymond Poincare, former presi-
dent Of the republic, will likely sue
coed him.
NJ. Brands resignation camc with
dramatic suddcnness in the chambet
of deputies, for the premier, return
ing this morning from his conferences
with the British prime minister al
Cannes, had brought the opposing
members Of his cabinet into accord
with his policies, and, by a powerful
speech in the chamber had apparently
won over the great majority to his
side. His blunt eloquencc evoked
tremendous ovation, and when he
abruptly declared his intention OF
withdrawing from the government
the members OF the chamber seemed
overWhc clmcd
Although the retirement Of Premier
BRAND was unexpected, it was appar-
cnt from the very beginning that he
felt keen resentment against the many
obstacles placed in his way in the
important negotiations in which he
has been engaged. He had the ap-
pearancc Of {; man aged and physical
ly fatigued throughout his entire
speech.
Notwithstanding this, however, sell
dom has nj. BRAND risen TO the high
pitch OF eloqucnce attained today
when III u voice trembling with i'll
suppressed emotion, and facing his
colleagues on tho ministerial benches,
he said: "A statesman has no right
to go to his post of battle If he has
not the certainty that he shall not re-
ccivc bullets from behind. He can
face the bullets of the enemy, but he
must not receive any from his own
country"
NJ. Briand called on President Mil
lcrand immediately after leaving The
chamber. He remained with the prCsi-
dent for only few minutes then he
informed the press representatives:
"Ny resignation is absolutely final.
! could not continue to govern under
such conditions. OF course, shall
not return TO Cannes, but I hope my
resignation will not cause cancellation
OF the Geneva conference"
With NJ. BRAND went his entire cab
met and after comforting with the pres
dcnts Of the senate and chamber M.
Millerand called upon M. Poincare to
form new ministry. NJ. Poincarc ten
tativcly agreed to this, but asked for
n few hours in which to consult his
friends. He promised to give a final
lanswcr tomorrow.
NJ Pcrct, president Of the chamber,
before proceeding to Elysec palace,
said to the Associated Press cOrrc-
spondent and others: "France is fac
! ing situation which is as gloomy as
the darkest days Of the war. When
the Germans were at Chateau Thierry,
NJ Poincare then president OF the re-
public) overlookinf former personal
differences between himself and M.
Clemenceau, called in the man whom
/ the country demanded. Today, If, as
is freely said, there are differences Of
opinion between the president OF the
republic and M. Poincare, our prcsi-
dent is big enough man to forget
them"
Rene Viviani, former premier, who
was one OF the French delegation at
the Washington conference, said, "Un-
der present circumstances the life OF
a statesman in France is impossible.
7 fully approve M. Brands attitude,
rbut we shall do our best to help his
successor in the work OF restoring
France. The country will not find us
in the way with petty personal quar-
rels."
AS is the custom, NJ. Millcrand has
asked the members OF tho cabinet to
continue to conduct the business Of
their pdeartments until the new min
Iistry is formed
Mr.. Evans Smith, of Union, Is spend.
ing several days In the city with his