30 JUNE 1906, Page 17

On Friday week M. Delcass6 reappeared in political life. The

occasion was a Republican banquet given by his con- stituents at Foix to celebrate his re-election. The main point of his speech was the importance of alliances to natiolral welfare. It was well to have a sound domestic policy, but, as lihrrope stood to-day, no single people was powerful enough to carry out its own policy in isolation. "The influence of a country in an alliance is proportionate to what it brings." France had many assets to bring into the partnership, and her friendship was worth having. The alliances made during the past few years bad been a vindication of the policy be had always preached. It was the business of France jealously to fortify these friendships, but also to maintain her national well-being and domestic strength, without which she was of no value to any one as an ally. M. Delcasse concluded eloquently with a tribute to the great future of his country. "Let us proclaim that the field remains open to the hopes of France and that we do not consider her destiny to be already • fulfilled."