Aristide Briand was French, a Socialist. Popular
Issues were class struggle, strikes and workers’ rights.
When he became Prime Minister, his karma came full circle,
As he forced workers off strike, sent in military, fired many, a fright.
He became PM again after the War had begun:
He felt France should negotiate peace but did not get it done.
Forced to step down (again), he argued at Versailles against harsh
Conditions on Germany for fear of revenge, so much blood spilt.
“The cannons scrapped yesterday could be rebuilt
Tomorrow,” he said. Then was PM again and sent (on march)
Thousands of French troops to occupy their debtor –
To force reparations, and thus found himself at Locarno.
He later worked hard for a ‘protection treaty’ with the U.S.,
Conceiving a “United States of Europe” – before his sudden death.
June Edvenson 