FRENCH RADICAL ATTACKS TREATY

"European Reparations and Reconstruction" were discussed by M. Jean Longuet, radical member of the French Chamber of Deputies and a grandson of Karl Marx, in a speech at a luncheon of the Student Liberal Club yesterday noon.

"America", he declared, "has been misinformed about conditions in France, because she has heard about them only from the mouths of members of the French military and conservative parties, who do not in fact represent the majority. M. Clemenceau and others have continued to stand for the old French policy of the dismemberment of Germany, and the occupation of the left bank Rhine. They have followed the old example of Cardinal Richelieu, who allied himself even with the Protestants in Germany to break up any possible union, because he considered the Protestants weaker than the Catholics and more favorable toward the French. Thus he set Munich against Berlin, and Bavaria against Prussia".

Reparations Just in Theory

Speaking specifically of Reparations, M. Longuet said that he considered them just, but that France had made her mistake in putting on the bill not alone the charges for the destruction of France, but also for the pensions of the French soldiers, both of which Germany has been unable to pay. "Had France demanded reparations for the destruction of France and Belgium alone", he declared, "she would have gotten 92 percent of the money asked, but now that she has asked too much, she will probably get only 52 percent. By asking too much France has caused the disruption of Germany and the lowering of the value of the German mark, by which she deprives herself of the money she asks".

"There are four fundamental faults with the Versailles Treaty", M. Longuet continued; "first, the demands of the Allies cannot be executed; second, to enforce the Allied demands would cause the collapse of Europe; third, the demand for the payment of pensions by Germany is against the terms of the Armistice; fourth, the possibility of payment exists only if we reduce our de- mands to reasonable limits. If the reparations were reduced to reasonable terms they would be 36 billion gold marks instead of 110 billion. At present France is spending all the money she receives from Germany in defending the left bank of the Rhine".

M. Longuet declared that the only way of rebuilding France was for the French and Germans to join forces, with the Germans furnishing the skilled labor needed so badly by France. In this way France could be rebuilt in two or three years, and both countries could have been benefited by the revival of industry. "If there is not a revision of the peace treaty, France and Germany will go from bad to worse and finally dissolve", he added.

In conclusion, M. Longuet said, "We have had a reactionary election in France and expect to win a victory for the Socialists in the common election on May 24. The labor party in England is coming out of the election with increased power, as it is likewise in Germany. I have confidence that with a stronger Socialist party in France, Germany, and England there will be greater peace throughout the world"