1 JANUARY 1927, Page 6

The sentences . at the Landau Trial seemed to be so

one-sided that there is general satisfaction at their cancellation. The trial arose out of an affray at Ger- mersheim, in the Rhineland, between Germans and Frenchmen, in which one German was killed and two were wounded by a French officer named Rouzier. The French court martial acquitted M. Rouzier and sentenced' six Germans to various terms of imprisonment ranging from two months to two years. The German Govern- ment instantly protested. Dr. Stresemann declared that such a verdict made it " difficult to carry out the policy of Locarno." Fortunately M. Poineare promptly advised the President of the French Republic to cancel the • sentences. The President acted on the advice, and M. Poincares courage and quick penetration have no douht. prevented very serious trouble, for feeling was running high in both countries. Nothing is more remarkable in France than the authority of M..Poineare and the respect which is paid to him by former politiCal enemies. This may not last, but it is a notable fact at the moment.