Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-02-21
HERR|OT SUPPORTS
RUSSIAN TREATY.
Points to Huge Army in Urg-
ing Ratification of Mutual
Assistance Pact.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, February 21.-France's for
mer Premier Edouard Herriot lent his
support today to ratification Of the
Franco-Soviet mutual assistance pact,
defending the Soviet Union before
the Chamber Of Deputies as bu!wark
Of European peace.
The attitude of the former presi-
dent of the dominant Radical So
cialist party, however. contrasted
sharply to that of Jacques Doriot,
former leader of the French Com
fnunist party, who denounced the
Soviet Union as subversive force.
The debate on proposed ratification
sof the pact by the Chamber--the last
step necessary to make it effective
was adjourned until next Wednesday
after these two speeches.
Loyal and Powerful Ally.
Herriot told the Deputies yesterday
the Soviet Union, with an army of
100000 soldiers and 100000 re-
serves, was a loyal and powerful ally
of France, affording the strongest
argument for ratification OF the
treaty.
He read letter from prominent
French industrialist, who approved
the pact as "a pillar Of the temple Of
peace" and expressed belief a policy
allowing every country free hand
would quickly cause war. between
France and Germany.
The industrialist concluded that the
Franco-Soviet treaty harms nobody,
threatens nobody, is in conformity
with the Locarno treaties and within
the framework of the League of Ma
tons, lessons the burden of our other
engagements and favors the drawing
together of two great peoples"
Hits Failure to Pay U. s.
Herriot reproached the Chamber for
Frances failure to pay her World War
debts to the United States In trying to
expain why the French government
had failed to negotiate settlement
OF the about 200 00o, 100000 francs in
terest and principal due on pre-war
Russian bonds.
Herriot said he had great pity
for the unpaid bondholders, but he
reminded the Deputies that the Rus
sian revolution leaders. beginning in
1905, warned the public that czarist
armament loans would be repudiated
when the Gear fell
Then Herriot referred to his speech
OF December "a. 1888, when the Cham
Der overthrow him as premier on the
American debt question:
Said Herriot: when 7 came and
told you, There are $4,000, 900 Amer
leans who loaned to France: that
obligation must be respected to protect
Frances prestige If she wishes to pro-
tect her credit elsewhere you would
not listen to me-"
His remarks were precipitated by his
assertion, 1.-THE Soviets are solvent, u
to which former Finance Minister de
Lasteyrie replied, Then she can pay
+, the debts"
Another picture was drawn by
Doriot, who became an advocate of
Franco-G German friendship after his
expulsion from the Communist party
for urging q united front with the
Socialists. which was subsequently
z effected.
Plan Can Lead to War.
"This Russian plan can lead to war"
Doriot said. THE Soviet Union is
now with the conquerors against the
vanquished."
Loudly applauded by the Center and
Right, the former Communist said the
Franco-Soviet pact laid France open
to the threat of betrayal at a critical
moment.
The 100000, 0O0-franc loan being
sought by Russia would benefit French
industry, Herriot said, reminding the
Chamber that Germany was offering
{ Moscow a 10-year credit of 1000, 00O,-
/ 600 marks.
/ An article by Belgian military ex-
: pert, Lieut.. Col. Tasnier, published in
. the financial newspaper LIE Capital,
said Germany had 100000 men
! trained or now receiving instruction,
and would have front-line army of
2,280,000 before the end of the year.
The Belgian expert, who recently
asserted Germany was already organ
izing motorized defense of the left
bank of the Rhine, opposite Belgium,
said In his article, 1.-THE militarization
OF the Rhineland is now virtually
complete"