A correspondent of the Times described in Monday's issue an
important conversation which he had with M. Herriot, the Mayor of Lyons, who is likely to be the next French Premier. M. Herriot said that he would make the Socialists a definite offer, and he hoped that they would co-operate with him in the work of government. Much depended upon their answer, but in any case the Government which he contemplated would rest on the Left. The principle of his foreign policy would be that peace and justice must be secured. The security of France and adequate reparations were not inconsistent with either peace or justice. First of all he would consider the Experts' Report, and study "the manner in which the evacuation of the Ruhr could be undertaken." He hoped it would be recognized in Germany that if the German Government moved to the Right, negotiations would be rendered much more difficult than they need be. He wanted to help "all democracies to fight against all imperialisms." As regards the attack on the franc by certain French interests, he declared that he would show no mercy on "financial defeatists."
