Show IS NEW PREMIER OF FRANCE briand has risen rapidly to foremost place in the european republic biland successor to georges clemenceau as premier of tle french government was pramot ed a few months ago from the office ot minister of public instruction and lublic worship to that of minister ot justice he was considered tor time the natural successor 0 clemen beau in the event ot that minister a suddenly relinquishing his leadership 1 I briand Is one of the strongest men in french public life in the opinion ot many observers he Is an orator of extraordinary power and pers la si venesa and has been in parliament aristade Aris tlde briand only since 1902 thus winning his wa to the top in the short space ot seven ears he started out in life as a lawyer in a small country town and when he went to paris to rather than law becoming in course of time editor 0 la lan terne one of the principal radical pa pers of the capital briand Is 47 years of age he has risen very rapidly from the of politicians to a foremost place in the government A few years ago 1 e was hardly known ex copt among the members of his own party the revolutionary socialists he was appointed reporter of the church and state separation bill and soon became recognized as a high au on the subject he aimed to draw up a bill broadly liberal in spir it but devoid of fanaticism and designed to assure freedom of worship and of conscience the result was his elevation to the hobt of minister of public instruction and worship tn during the church and state troubles be appears to haye acted with firmness and moderation and after the death of M guyot des december 31 1907 be wa appointed minister ot justice retain ing the portfolio of worship |