Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14

announced his intention of Intervening Ihe
Rroutchoutists. A minister in the reVolu-
tionary camp! Never had such tnins
been heard Of What if an anarchist out
rage was committed? What If his excel
lency were seized and held hostage? Noth,
ing daunted the little man, in bowler ana
lounge suit, and unattended; walked llL.o
the Broutchoutists' den, needless OF scoWi-
ing suspicious glances, and announced ms
intention of addressing the miners assem-
bled in the hall ,
ministre."
y
And then, when silence had been OBJ
tanned NJ Clemenceau told the miners that
he had come to inquire into their case ana
exhorted them to be calm and avoid disor-
der. promising them that if there were no
disorder no force would be used
'.And what will you do, citizen, cried
miner "if there is disorder"
I'm that case was the bold, unhesitat-
ing reply 1.-THE government will enforce or
der and protect the mines, but promise
YOU that you shall not see a single soldler.
They shall be brought into the dlstrlct
by night and posted within the works, and
if there is no disorder not single pantalon
rouge red trousers) shall be seen IN the
streets"
1t was a perious game to play, but the
miners were visibly overawed by the min
listers undaunted attitude, and he was
cheered as he left the hall. NJ. Clemenceau
kept his word Thousands of troops were
brought into the northern departments by
night and posted about the mines I'm
fortunately there was disorder, the military
We're frequently seen in the streets or
Lens and throughout the mining districts,
, and M. Clemenceau was severely criticised
by his opponents for parleying with revo-
lutionaries.
The echoes of Courrieres had scarce died
away when all France was thrown into
panic by the approach of May day. 1t was
firmly believed that the country was on
the eve of terrible socialist and anarchist
upheavaL Here again the energy of the
minister of the interior was apparent t1fty
thousand troops preserved order in Paris
alone, and the good citizens who had laid
in stores of ham, sausages and biscuit
against siege were none the worse for
their fright except that they had to eat
cold victuals for fortnight.
~
Clemenceau's right-handed man at the
ministry of the interior is M. Albert Sar-
raut, the under secretary. and when, a
while ago, M. Sarraut fought duel with
NJ Pugliesi-Conti, the liberal deputy. his
famous chief acted as his second. For
Frenchman indeed, NJ. Clemenceaus en-
ergy Ia quite abnormal. There Is some
thing distinctiyely American about 1t. Per-
haps that Is due to the fact that he spent
four years in America. When he was only
nineteen he was thrown into prison for
| shouting ''vive'la republique" at medical
| students meeting. He was kept three
| months in jail for this. and the experience
| left an indeltble impression on his powerful
| and rebellious character. AS soon as he
| was released he made tracks for the land
| Of the free.
He might have spent the rest of his days
| there, and perhaps by this time have been
| a United States senator, but for the
Franco-German war and the breakup of
| the empire. These events brought back to
| Paris from many distant corner of the
| earth the men who had fought the empire
\ in its days of glory and omnipotence. They
caused Clemenceau to pack up his portman-
| teau and bid lifelong farewell to Amer
| lea. Once back in the capital he abandoned
| medicine-he is a full-fedged doctor-for
! journalism and politics. He has an intel
| lect as keen as razor, will as hard as
| the granite cliffs of his own native La
| Vendee. To these qualities he unites daunt-
| less courage. moral and intellectual, no less
| than physical. a..,,,,
| in French politics-with voice and pen,
! sword and pistol-and yet 1t Is only WITHIN