The Cordova daily times., 1918-02-11
COLONEL HousE-coNuNpRum

We wonder if the American peonI
viii ever arrive at satisfactory est
mate of the silent Texan whose chic
distinction is his ability to counsel tn
president and command his complet
confidence. This is remarkable
achievement in itself, something tina
no other mortal has ever attained
Many attempts have been made t,
measure the mans character and cali
Der, but the enterprise battles tn.
keenest students of human nature. Thu
cautious Colonel positively refuses tt
De portrayed in his true colors. His
sphink-like silence is his chief charac
teristic, and he is not at all sociable
with curious-minded people.
Senator Penrose doesn't like his
style and didn't mince words in saying
SO the other day on the uoor of the
senate. He hurt J. Ham Lewis feel.
1ngs by referring to the Presidents
personal representative as a "Texas
lobbyist" and inquiring whether he
was a bogus colonel or came by his
title honestly. Upon being informed
that Colonel House once served on a
Texas governors staff, the senator
from Pennsylvania then INDUCED in a
delicious bit of sarcasm He was of
the opinion that, in view of his milf
aary address, the colonel should show
more aptitude to go over the top and
less inclination to keep under cover.
Doubtless the Pennsylvania had in
mind that the silent intercourse and
secret transactions which Colonel
House is conducting with our allies is
not in keeping with the Presidents
promise of "pitiless publicity" and
his declaration in favor of "open-air
diplomacy" At that, there was a
sharp point to what he said.
Which reminds us that some of the
-no1onel's admirers have been rather
seAtravagant in their estimate of his
super-statesmanship. We are tempted
to quote one of these absurd utter
tances. According to a certain hero
sworshipper, Colonel House is "mys-
terious, inexplicab1e, fascinating.
a kind of modern Machiave1li -.
a John Hay, raised to the nth power.
character that would have
intrigued Balzac or Daudet, and kept
Victor Hugo guessing" That's going
some, but the press agent is only get
tin warmed up. He oes on to say:
1.-THE best informed publicists of
Europe have been astonished at his
knowledge of modern history.
He has the kind of ability that Gre
ates multimillionaires." He is, brieuy
speaking, "horsey but bookish, imam
bilious but soaring, dyspectic but ath-
Gus but not secretive, diplomatic but
franklin short, a parsonage to aston
Ish his own generation and tantalize
posterity.'
Now We know what sort of a man is
Colonel House. If we are to believe
=thusiastic publicist tells us, we have
here the most mysterious man of all
the ages. The information is astound
ing. 1T recalls that other celebrated
character of fiction OF whom the poet
wrote:
And still they gazed; and still the
wonder grew-=
That one small head could carry al
he knew
No wonder the Texas wizard ha,
captivated the President with his nu
merous charms and capabilities. Oul
belief is that he is dangerous maj
to have running around loose; he i
liable to hypnotic all of us if we dom
watch ourselves. For years on
European friend shave troubled them
selves trying to determine the tru
American type. They need look n
further; we have found the man-th
GROWING glory of the race. For doe
not this same writer remind us tina
mo other country, you know. boasts Q
it's power to beget type OF superma
who is both idealistic and practical
All we can add to this remarkabl
pen portrait is to congratulate Pres
dent Wilson upon obtaining the excl
sive services OF such an extraordinar
man.
TURNING ON THE LIGHT
Affairs at washington have assume