Evening journal., 1917-11-19

In the European political iargon,
President Poincarc. in calling upon
Senator Georges Clemenceau to form a
ministry, has turned to the Right rath-
er than to the Left Reduced to our
American phrase, this means that he
has gone to the Republican rather than
the Radical political camp and has Sc
lected man who represents determin-
alton to win the war rather than
man who would seek to obtain peace
by negotiation. One wonders whether,
in calling Clemenceau. the French Pres
ident reopened friendly relations with
the politician. who few short years
ago personally appealed to him to re-
tire as, a candidate for the French
Presidency Perhaps nothing is more
remarkable about Clemenceau than the
enemies he has made and the disregard
which he has shown for men in poll
teal life about him.
II Is not too much 10 say Of Clemen-
ceau that he is The most interesting
Frenchman alive. It is hardly Excess
sive praise to say that he is the great
est living French statesman, II by
statesman one means a man Of vision,
Of courage and of determination. Let
us in America remember Of Clemenceau
flrst, that he once lived among us, and,
second, that he was the first French
Prime Minister to face German bully
ing and not back down. The Casablanca
episode in 1903 has long been forgot
ten; yet then, Prime Minister, Glenn
enceau faced German threats and
did not yield, and this was the FIRST
time since 1870.
1t is not true. as American headlines
suggest, that Clemenceau is fire
brand. He never approved Of the policy
OF Delcasse which led TO the crisis Of
1905 over Tangier, and he never ceased
to reproach the former Foreign Minis
ter for having adopted a policy which
led toward war at q time when France
was totally unready for the struggle
But, on the other hand, he never sym
pathized with or shared the Caillaux
idea which would have made France a
silent partner in a German controlled
Europe.
The man Clemenceau is not chau-
|
.last war upon France no Frenchman
has more consistently, more valiantly
| fought aga inst Germany. Beyond all
! else, Glenn nceau has been the critic
J Of this wal Again and again his fear
less voice las been raised against mis-
takes and against plumbers. Again anc
again he hrs upset ministers and over
J turned pol ticians whose policies LED
| to defeat The French army owes il
TO him that the hospital service Of
France has been reorganized. Day after
day in his newspaper he has thundercC
against abb ses until those responsible
needed his warning or fell because
they refused to listen to him.
Master II the most destructive
( phrase, the most terrible OF all critics
OF his time. Clemenceau is equally
master OF an eloquence which is mol
destructive. His address Of welcome &c
the first British Parliamentary delega-
ton which came to France after the
beginning OF the war will endure as ar
example OF French eloquence. II Is only
the other day that he went down snt
spoke to General pcrshings troops ;
word Of welcome on behalf Of his coun.
try which none OF those who heard
him will ever forget.
One may wonder whether IL will no
be loss 10 the Allied cause that th'
ablest and most distinguished Allleg
critic should pass from the opposition
TO the government Yet no man caI
doubt that II he succeeds In formlns
a ministry there will be an end O.