The Washington herald., 1918-12-26
men OF FRANCE
ARE MASTERFUL
Holland Thinks Appear
ance of French States
men Impress Wilson.

should President Wilson be fortu-
nate enough to meet a gathering Of
the statesmen and educators of
France, or should he find a consid-
erable representation of men who
have gained success as educators and
statesmen in France among those who
serve at the Peace Conferences, he Is
likely to be greatly impressed by the
appearance Of these men Americans
Sf distinction who in recent years
Ehave visited France and who have
taken part in gatherings which con-
tain the foremost men Of that re-
public have returned to this country
10 speak with admiration of the ap-
pearance of these men and the infiu-
ence which they exert. DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler. president of Columbia
University. attended a gathering OF
French statesmen and educators
which was held at Paris in the sum
wer of 1901 When ne saw these men
nd had opportunity to study them
he was convinced that the French re-
"''hlic was established on a firm
foundation and that her great men
"A compare favorably with those OF
Fny other country. The strength of
character and the sincere dignity. for
II was not assumed. which distinguish
these men. as well as the profundity
Of their thoughts. the clearness of
their reasoning. caused DR.. Butler to
think that there could be gathered in
some one place in France and upon
any important occasion a group oi
men who, on the whole. would be
stronger than would any group of
like character in England or in the
United States.
French Nation sound.
1t Is for this reason that many of
those who took heed Of the situation
In France when Germany began to ap-
proach Paris were convinced that
France had men who could save her
and who would save her and that
fundamentally the French nation was
as sound and strong as any in the
world. at least intellectually and
morally. Therefore President Will
son. who is 4 keen observer. would
certainly be gratified II it became his
privilege to meet a group of men who
represented the best in thought and
action and morals in France and if the
opportunity comes to him to see a
group Of Frenchmen of that kind II
is believed he will return to the
United States broadened in view, il
that Is possible. and. to a greater ex-
tent than before, hopeful of cultiva-
ting permanent and highly satisfac-
tory relations between the United
States and France
Depew's Estimate of Wilson.
Shortly before the November elec-
tion former United States Senator
Chauncey NJ Depew spoke OF Presi-
dent Wilson as a man of masterfui
qualities as a politician. although, like
all great politicians, likely at some
times to make mistakes. Depew sair
when Gov. Wilson, of New Jersey. was
elected President OF the United States
that IL would be a matter q great in
terest carefully to watch the Presi-
dents course after he got into the
White House, because he would b,
sure TO make history in one way or
= fnother. These were Depew's exact
ords at that time: IF woodrow
Nhson is a master of politics, both a,
NEame and as an art. then his mas
ery over his own party will be com.
tete and unshakable." Furthermore
khe Senator intimated that if William
kSi. Taft had learned how to play the
Ngame of politics as well as he knew
how to appreciate and act upon poll
ltics as an art he would have been in
Attle danger OF defeat when he was
pr the second time a candidate for
ection as President.
1 Mnekay Retains Hughes.
Although the statement is made
informally that Postmaster General
Burleson has no intention of seeking
legislation whereby government
ownership of the cable lines and of
the telephone and telegraph COM
panies may be secured, nevertheless
there remains some doubt about the
real purpose which lies behind the
taking over Of the ocean cable lines.
There seems to be feeling that this
purpose will be smoked out in the
course of the legal proceedings
which Clarence H. Mackay has
caused to be instituted in order to
prevent the Postmaster General
from maintaining control Of these
lines. Mr.. Mckay IA spoken OF by
those who know HIM as having in
herited one of the conspicuous traits
which distinguished his father, John
W. Mackay. namely, the fighting
quality. He is slow, however. about
entering into a quarrel, but when
he once begins to fight he will fight
even with his back to the wall He
has made choice of Charles E
Hughes as counsel and advocate in
pressing these legal proceedings.
Some OF the ablest lawyers in New
York are wondering whether Judge
Hughes really expects to secure
favorable decision from the courts.
Careful reading of the statute which
conferred authority upon the gov
ernment to take over the cables ap-
pears to justify the opinion that
this authority is sufficient, and. al
though no one can tell how a court
is to decide before decision is handed
down. nevertheless there will be
greater astonishment IL the court
were to interfere with the Postmas-
ter Generals act than IL the decision
were that the statute fully author
ICES him in what he had done. There
fore il is presumed that Judge
Hughes expects to gain in these
legal proceedings the ear of the pub
lie. to stir up public sentiment, to
make a great show Of earnestness
and to adopt a policy as a pleader
or advocate which will be sure to
call nation wide attention to this
action of Postmaster General Bur-