The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-02-15
OUR FRIENDS THE FRENCH
Feb. 6, 1922,

In considering the effects of the
resignation of the BRAND government
in France it is well to keep in mind the
fall of British ministry is epochal
while that of a French ministry is
but an incident Ministries frequent
ly change in France without the policy
of the government being materially
affected. Ever since the coups d'etat
of the two Napoleohs the French
have been fearful that another ambi-
tious leader should arise to overthrow
republic. That sentiment explains
why the president of The French Re
pubic is but a political figure-head,
why Clemenceau was retired shortly
after the signing of the Armistice and
why the fear that BRAND was laying
the foundation for third coup d'etat
was initiating against the ratifica
tion of the agreements made at Wash
ington and Cannes.
Brands resignation came rs deep
disappointment to the government and
people of Great Britain and the United
States. During the deliberations of
the disarmament conference he prov
ed himself a statesman of high caliber
moderate in his demands, temperate
in statement and always willing to
make concessions for the public good.
If he had been inclined to rattle the
saber he would have been more popu.
lar with the French people, for the
war is still too close to them and its
ravages are too visible for them to
orget. The promises of German repair
alton payments have not beer fulfilled
and the French are inclined to sup
port a government that will send
French troops to occupy German ter
ritory until the German war debt to
France have been paid.
For a BRAND cabinet to fall in
France, moreover, is something of
habit, and is not ordinarily Of great
political significance. The cabinet
which just retired is, we believe, the
seventh that has been formed. When
ever political conditions in the French
Chamber are in a state of fux BRAND
comes forward with a coalition cabi
net to tide things over until a new
and more stable government can be
formed. In French politics he has
often been referred to as "stop-gap."
His real worth never became apparent
until he took the lead in the recon
struction movement following the late
war.
His resignation will strengthen
rather htan weaken the commitments
made at Washington and Cannes, for
he has given to the French people
convincing proof that he sought no
personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT and he has
effaced himself that the work he has
accomplished must live. Perhaps he
has benefited by the mistake made by
President Wilson. In the minds of
the free people of the world BRAND
is even greater in retirement than
when at the head Of the French gov
eminent
To some Of the readers Of the Dis
patch it may appear strange that
President Millerand does not appoint
the new cabinet as the president of
our own country would do il the cabi-
net were to resign. But the French
do not confer such powers on their
chief executive. The cabinet Is chosen
by the majority group in the Chamber
Of Deputies.
Raymond Poincare, former presi-
dent, has been selected to form the
new cabinet. He is one Of me strong
men Of France. Indeed, in some cir
cles, It is feared that he relies entire
~ too much upon force to conform to
the policy Of the great powers with