The French Chamber resumed its public sittings last Saturday after
nearly a week of secret Sessions. The debate was remarkable for the speech of M. Painleve on military policy. He frankly admitted that grave mistakes had been made in the April offensive on the Western Front. The results obtained were bought too dearly, and heavy losses were suffered which might have been avoided, and must be avoided in the future. The leaders responsible for these errors, in spite of their brilliant records, had been relieved of their commands, but no further punishment would be inflicted without full inquiry. In place of bold and grandiose but insuffi- ciently prepared plans they must have a rational and positive war policy inspired by prudence, which should not exclude energy, but which should not demand the impossible—and of this policy be saw the great protagonist in General Main. Victory was certain on the one condition that the moral of the country remained intact. It Painlevi's fine speech was greeted with great enthusiasm. 31.Ribot also spoke with dignity on the burdens of France, and the Order of the Day, approving of the declarations of the Government and expressing confidence that it would retain the direction and control of general war policy, was adopted by 375 to 23.
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