The New York herald., 1922-07-06
VIVIANI DEFENDS
FRENCH PREMIER
Accepts Responsibility for War
in Reply to Attack on
POincare.
WILD APPLAUSE ENSUES
Chamber Earlier Voted Conf
dence by 507 to Ga, Rebuk-
ing Communists.
WILD APPLAUSE ENSUES

PARIS. July (Associated Press) M.
Rene Viviani stampeded the Chamber
o. Deputies into a wild outburst of ap-
proval of Premier Poincare to-day
during the course of a debate on "the
responsibility for the war" 1t was the
elimination OF the attack on the Premier
precipitated yesterday by M Valiant
Couturier, the Communist Deputy. who
made reference to a photograph showing
the Premier and the American Ambas-
sador Myron L. Herrck, smiling while
passing through the Verdun cemetery.
NJ. Viviani interrupted the reading of
newspaper clippings and diplomatic
messages by the Communist designed
TO show that NJ. Poincare was RESPONSE
Bile for the war, and exclaimed:
IF any one is responsible for the war
1t was l. l was head OF the Government
l took whatever action was taken. and
/ acted in perfect accord with NJ. Poin-
care (then PresidenD. l was in touch
with him and in agreement with him
when he was at St Petersburg"
Premier Kisses Ex-Premier.
This was an allusion to NJ Poincare's
visit as President to the Emperor Nicho-
las.
The Deputies jumped to their feet,
waving their arms wildly, and NJ Poin-
care rushed to NJ. Viviani and kissed
him on both cheeks. Others embraced
the Premier and the ex-Premier and
for several minutes there was an ex-
cess of enthusiasm
The ex-Premier told briefly of the
big steps In Frances foreign policy
when he was Premier under NJ Poin-
care, and recited again the history Of
the movements that led to the war
claiming for himself full responsibility
for everything that was done and prais-
ing the wisdom of Poincare. He ended
with an appeal to the patriotism of the
members. in memory of the hundreds
OF thousands who had fallen, for
cessation of the strife.
The chamber adjourned until to-mor-
row afternoon to continue the debate.
the Premier insisting upon a full air
ing of the matter. II was the Premiers
second victory of the day over the
Communists, as the chamber earlier
ernment. 507 to g.. on a minor inter-
pellation relative to the suppression of
Communist activities at Tunis.
Herrick FOrEets Smiling.
American Ambassador Herrick issued
a statement to-day characterizins as
much ado about nothing the incident
in the chamber. when a Communist
member provoked a lively debate over
a photograph of Mr. Herrick and Pre-
mier Poincare that had been published
by the Communist organ. Humdnite.
designed to show that the two states ,
men were smiling while walkin {
through the cemetery at Verdun.
II have no recollection whatsoever of
the matter in question" Mr.. Herr.cks s
statement said. Even supposing that
in walking from point to point during
the day I should have said something
to cause Premier Poincare to smile
there could be in that no possible
ground for reproach."
The photograph has been repeatedly
published in Hunonite, and many thou
sands of postcards bearing the same
picture have been sold as Communist
propaganda. The scene showinG the
French Premier and Mr.. Herrick laugh
ing while walking through the ceme-
terry also has been used in motion pic
lures of current events.