Aristide Briand used to be commonly compared with Mr. Lloyd
George, since both were Celts and both were orators. But the comparison did not go beyond externals. The Breton was the gentler figure of the two, and he never had Mr. Lloyd George's swordsman's poise and his love of fighting. His was one of the loveliest speaking voices I ever listened to, and fine oratory seemed to come to bins naturally without pre- paration. Both he and Clemenceau used to give me the impression of lurking, but the latter was the tiger lying in wait, while the former seemed to be often in a pleasant dream. Briand could hit hard when he liked, as when he smashed the French railway strike in 1910 ; but he was essentially a peacemaker and a lover of peace. He was the only French statesman of his age who showed diplomatic ability of the first order, and he was that rarity among his countrymen, a good European. It was
brand of nationalism. Not since Voltaire has a French- man been so much a citizen of the world. 'He '.was at his best at the League of Nations, where he.could speak
urbi et orbi, and along with Lord Cecil he was-the League', principal champion. When the history of the post-Witi Years comes to be -written he will stand with Stresensano as one who laboured against supreme 'difficultida for the pacification of the World..
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