The San Francisco call., 1899-06-25

This Danton was where the carrying out
of his own ideas was concerned.
That PortIon OF aa2afe Dantons eaTeer to to
reanty less than five years, In all this
time Danton was filled with the revolu-
tionary idea and seemed to think that
monarchs of the rest of the world through
the indifference of her own governing
classes rather than an internal danger
the nobility. Danton loved France and
hated anybody who menaced her by word
or deed, 1T is only in the saying OF
of action are needed that he leaps to the
front. Then suddenly the whole nation
and its story becomes filed with his
10th of August, 1882. which he made to
the early autumn of the following year
Danton, his spirit, his energy. his practi,
cal grasp of things as they were, formed
orists, from whom he profoundly diff
fered, were wasting themselves In kind
OF political I,I, Iintrospection ne raised the
find great phrases to lead the rage
against DumouriezS treason, he formed
the committee to be dictator to a fall
ing nation. All that was useful in the
Terror was his work; and if we trace to
the very root the actions that swept the
Held and left it ready for rapid organiza
ton and defense, then a, the roots we
nearly always find his masterful and sure
guidance.
Months in the revolution count as years
nal was formed, and on April following
the committee of public safety. Danton
worked for these because he said that
power, without which it was impossible
to secure prompt and effective action.
The awful events If the following fifteen
months, when large ;2ortion of the popu-
lation ran riot, are mDct carefully stu lied
and graphically depicted. OF the
butcheries of this period Mr. Belloc holds
that that Danton . Is entirely innocent He
ing almost day and night Danton never by
word nor deed gave encouragement to the
horrors.
All of which is very well, but Mr.. BeIloc
does not show that Danton tried in any
way to put a stop To them. There is no
doubt but that II was in the power of
Danton to stop the killing but the fact
remains that he did not. This act is de
Tended by Belloc with the statement that
Danton was Indifferent to the fate of the
people and did not care what happened so
long as his plans were carried out. Which
OF course all goes . uphold Mr.. Belloc' 5
idea of Danton's consistency.
OF the end of Danton Mr.. Belloc's story
is most dramatic. II makes the event a
tragedy that is to nrve an effect on the
world equal to the end of a martyr The
scene on the scaffold is certainly a power
full one. Mr.. Belloc remarks: He stood
thus. moment conspicuous over the
people whom he hal - often swayed In
that attitude he remains for history
Whether Mr. Belloc will succeed IN
changing the opinions we have formed of
Danton from the history of the past
years remains to he soon. His arguments
are certainly strong, out have any num-
Der of weak points in the vital places
According to Mr. Beiioc. Danton is a iif-
ferent man from certain standpoint than
we have been accustomed to consider him,
and it is easy to admit that Mr.. Belloc is
right. There is no doubt that the class
ing of Danton as an a:mless irrespons BILE
has been erroneous. lie was a consistent
man with steady purpose and, perhaps.
had some idea Of doing good to his c3un-
try. But to give hin any qualities of
gentleness and humanity is not such an
easy matter. Accepted history classes
Danton as a monster. His crimes are he
most bloody in the history of the world,
and the chances are tlat as long as he
world lasts he will he known as a man
who deserved the death that was meted
out to him. WILL SPARKS
A study of Danton by Hilare Be;'oc.
Charles Scribner's Sons, publishers, New
York Price 50 10