M. Briand, the French Prime )(mister, has been hotly attacked
in the Chamber during the week. His majority has been suffering from a slow process of attrition. The Opposition's criticisms as to lack of imagination and energy strongly resemble those directed against Mr. Asquith before the fall of his Ministry. There seems, however, to be much energy of purpose in the Government's now Bill for managing national defence and for controlling agricultural and industrial output by decree—i.e., without legislation. The Government intends to requisition alcohol for national defence, and thus to forbid its consumption as drink. Oddly enough, this particular manifestation of energy does not please even those who have demanded more energy. The " Dictatorship" Bill has loud and powerful enemies. Among these, of course, is " the Trade." In the Senate M. Briand has been treated to more friendliness than in the Chamber. On Tuesday, just before the Senate went into secret session, his defence of his policy was received with much applause. His phrase describing the German peace manoeuvre deserves a place in the long line • of pithy French political sayings : " The words of peace are acts of war."
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