The Washington herald., 1919-05-22
ALL ALLIES HAVE
GREAT LEADERS
American Close to Powers
AT Conference Places
Greek Premier First.

news which tells of the progress of
tne Peace Conference In Paris Ii the
informatioh brought from Paris
which sets forth the personal, the
inteliectual and Ayen the moral
qualities of the leaders at the con-
ference- Often discussions take
place among men. who are, them
Iseives. of recognised ability. based
npon a study and understanding OF
the qualifications which distinguish
Isne great leaders at the conference.
IL the ablest man among them?"
Sometimes 10 has been thought
tnat Clemenceau Is pre-eminent so
far as intellectual and intuitive
ouaIincations are concerned. Then
again the news from Paris seems
70 Justify the impression that Lloyd
0eorge stands out above the 9TH
ers. Often the wonder is expressed
now In thisHrespect Wilson compares
with those with whom he has been
% closely associated.
These discussions are not CEN
tered upon any feature Of the league
OF nations proposition or the treaty
or peace as IL IL now prepared. but
are solely occupied with an attempt
70 obtain a good understanding of
have made these men leaders in
their own countries.
A few days ago a citizen OF the
United States. q man who Is looked
lupon as one OF our foremost citizens
oy reason OF natural ability. expert
fence and longtime association with
nany Of the leaders In American in
dustry and public life, returned from
Paris. He crossed the seas a year
ago upon a semi-official mission. When
In Europe he had opportunity for
CLOSE personal touch with all OF the
eadera
Places veni.eIos First.
who has gained high reputation in
the United States for ability. They
were willing. even glad, to meet him
Informally and to go so far as to
hold confidential. or private, conver-
sation with him. Therefore il was
possible for him to study and meas
ure up these men and even to make
comparison Of each one with every
other one.
In conversation with friends he
spoke frankly and fully Of his ex-
perience- First Of all he named ven-
izelos. the Premier of Greece, as the
man who. in his opinion. stood pre-
eminent among all the leaders who
are at the Peace Conference. for in
tellectual ability and as a master of
diplomacy and also OF men. Venice
los has not been prominent in Paris
chiefly because Greece Is one Of the
smaller countries and there have
been no really important matters af-
fecting Greece under discussion. But
by and by. when the whole story of
the war Is written. there will be rev.
elation of the remarkable achieve
ments OF venizelos early in the war.
He saved Greece for the allies. It
was his ability and personality
(which led to the dethronement OF a
king who was pro-German and the
choice of another who did not share
that sentiment with his predecessor.
pie brought the Grecian people into
almost complete concord.
At Paris he has made II clear that
he not only understands present.
day diplomacy. but diplomatic his
Itory which covers many years. His
counsel when it has been sought at
Paris has always been found to be
wise. He is a ruler not only of
{Greece but also of himself. He is
the ideal diplomatist- For. while he
understands the strategy of diplom-
acy. he never stoops to dishonorable
means or unworthy practices. He is
Ia personification of personal as well
as national integrity.
CIemeneeau Is Rival.
This American citizen had abun-
dant opportunity for something like
face to face study of Clemenceau.
IThis. combined with the knowledge
Of what Clemenceau has accomplish
ed. justified the statement that the
French Premier stands second only
to the Prime Minister of Greece and
possibly upon even terms with Ven
izelos in intellect and mastery of
situation.
Moreover. Clemenceau has very hu-
man qualities. Possibly these were
the more easily recognized by the
IAmerican because Clemenceau
peaks English well and has a keen
understanding Of the sense of humor
which 10 Characteristic of so many
Americans. Therefore he sometimes
spoke in humorous parallels. Often
| he called attention to an incident
which stimulated the sense of hum
or.
But his mastery OF the situation.
I his profound understanding Of what
France needs. his far-seeing vision
and a wonderful virility OF mind and
q certain gift for intuitive percep-
ton, all the more remarkable when
| IL Is recalled that he is approaching
his eightieth year. marked Glenn
enceau. in the opinion of this Ameri-
can, as one of the great intellects
/ of the time, perhaps of all time. as
well as one Of the most powerful
personal forces now living.
How Stands Lloyd Georgef 7
Next to these two prime minis
ters and not far away from them
stands Lloyd George in the opinion
| Of this american citizen. His mind
operates with dynamic power. He
thinks almost intuitively-that is to
say, he grasps a proposition and is
able instantly to look at It from
! All angles. He Is not as well in
formed respecting the geography.
or the diplomatic history or the
commercial characteristics of other
nations as are Clemenceau and Ven
Izelos. He takes a great deal of his
information at second hand. careful
always to secure the opinions of
opinions or accurate infoNmation.
His intellect Is agile. and acute.
nevertheless 1t operates on broad
nal memory.
Wilson Maintains Standard.
A. --r4.s L.-I -