25 SEPTEMBER 1926, Page 2

When we reflect that M. Poineare is Prime Minister of

France, and that he has sanctioned M. Briand's very , friendly advances to Germany, we must recognize that a long _step forward has been taken. It is known that Herr Stresemann asked for an early reduction of the troops occupying the Rhineland and, if possible, the naming of' a date for complete evacuation. He also, of course, desires the recall of the inter-Allied Mission • of Control from Berlin. We greatly hope that it will be possible to satisfy Herr Stresemann's requests, for now that Germany is a permanent member of the Council • of the League—and therefore theoretically an equal dealing with equals—the continued occupation of- any part of Germany is a contradiction in terms.