M. Briand gained a great Parliamentary success in the long
debate over Reparation and the Upper Silesian question which ended in the French Chamber on Thursday, May 28th. He answered all his critics and received the approval of the Chamber by 394 votes to 162. Thus the Chamber accepted the London agreement as to the terms on which Germany is to make Repara- tion, though some French politicians wanted to occupy the Ruhr valley. Further, the Chamber expressed its confidence in M. Briand's handling of the Upper Silesian problem. M. Briand stated that whatever part of the province was assigned to Poland would be required to supply coal and raw materials to Germany for fifteen years and to contribute towards the payments for reparation to be made by Germany. It may be hoped that the political turmoil created by the question of enforcing the Peace Treaty will now subside. M. Briand's adroitness and courage have never been better displayed than in these last critical weeks.
