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Show BRIO REPLIES TO ATTACK UPON HIS POLICY French Premier Denies the Charges of Weakness and Dilatoriness Made by Senator Berenger. LACK PRODUCTION OF WAR MATERIAL Critic Declares Changes in the Ministry Brought in Merely a Change of Personnel. PARIS, Dec. 19, 10:15 p. m. Henry Berenger, senator from Guadeloupe, today to-day in the senate accused the cabinet of weakness and dilatoriness. The senator sen-ator said the new ministry had brought about only a change in personnel. ' This was shown in the way in which the war was being directed the French had been unable to drive the Germans beyond be-yond the frontier. " The speaker then reproached the ministry with defects in the organization of economic life and charged that there had been a lack of organization in the production of ' war material. He then attacked French diplomacy, di-plomacy, to which he imputed as a result re-sult the recent events in Athens. "Do not think that your past war record," said M. Berenger, addressing Premier Briand, " gives us. sufficient assurance as-surance for the future." Confidence Needed. .' M. Briand, in replying, deprecated reproaches re-proaches against the government at this grave period, " because the men in power must be able to work with the necessary freedom of mind, have uninterrupted un-interrupted confidence at home for their actions abroad, and our allies must not be allowed to think that our government gov-ernment is under suspicion and the men-ance men-ance of interpellation." "I am ready," H. Briand continued, "to make way at any time for any one who may be judged more worthy than 1. But, I ask you, with the system employed em-ployed up to this time, what government govern-ment could resist? As for me, I have gone more than forty-four times before be-fore the committees (each committee composed of forty-four members) and lately was detained ten entire days in secret sessions of chamber. I ask vou, under these conditions, how a president of the cabinet can be a 'war president,' presi-dent,' a president of energetic action? When you know the facts of the terrible task to which I am bound, then you will judge me and condemn me if you think fit.'" ; Alludes to Victory. M. Briand alluded to the latest French victory at Verdun, which evoked much applause. Referring to tho gen-; eral military situation, the premier continued: con-tinued: "If we have not broken through, neither have the Germans broken through after fortr years of preparation, prepara-tion, even though it might have been thought, they would triumph after having hav-ing violated Belgium. Fortunately, French soldiers, nearly alone at that time, blocked the way and said No thoroughfare.' The government from the beginning did its duty in permitting our allies to organize." The premier sketched what Russia and Italy had done and alluded to joint efforts that had been made for unity uni-ty of action. "The government thinks," said M. Briand, "it has given proof of all required energy. But if the senate doubts this, let any one take the stand with documents and we will reply." M. Berenger arose and put several questions to the premier, but they were not developed. 1 |