M. Briand, the new French Premier, explained his policy in
the Chamber on Thursday, January 20th. He began by saying that, for the security of France, Germany must be disarmed, and that she must give the reparation due under the Peace Treaty. France was not unreasonable and would not ask for the impossible, but she would insist on Germany paying the amount required of her, in money or in kind. M. Briand went on to say that these aims could be secured only by agreement with the Allies, and that in all questions " the closest alliance of Great Britain and France was the very basis of our foreign policy." M Briand declared that America's reluctance to accept the League of Nations in " its initial form " must be respected. He urged the necessity of completing the peace with Turkey and reaffirmed the refusal of France to recognize the Bolsheviks. France would not intervene in Russian domestic affairs, nor would she " allow the Soviet army to issue from Russia to attack her allies."
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