Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1919-02-28
CLENCENCEAC, GREATEST
PREMIER OF THEM ALI

Jr.. today gave out the following
statement from its Washington head
quarters:
1T is not too much 20 predict that
history will point 10 Premier Clemen-
ceau as the greatest personality that
this war has developed, Called from
retirement to take command OF the
government after other premiers had
failed to measure up to the demands
OF the hour he Immediately demon
strated in his vigorous handling OF
the situation that he had lost none of
his early lighting qualities. The cause
81 the allies was At low ebb when
Clemenceau stepped into the arena
and calmly announced that thereaf-
ter Marsal Foch would exercise su-
preme command OF the allied armies,
Such was the force or his character
that nobody had the hardlhood TO
dispute his decision, and the appoint
ment OF Foch as generalissimo was
| accepted. No other single incident
of the war contributed so much to the
allied success as the unified command
that Clemenceau by sheer force of
will made a reality.
Premier Clemenceau's entire life
has been in the turmoil of politics.
constantly lighting for the principles
in which he believed Although
France was forced 10 conclude dis
astrous peace with Germany In 1871.
was not done with the acauiescsnce
II Clemenceau. He was one OF tho
! delegates az the negotiations and
fought to the last against the ceding
81 Alsace and Lorraine TO Germany.
Men cannot be bought a. slaves in
Africa. nor sold as serfs in Russia.
nor delivered like cattle into the
hands OF Bismarck. Those were
his words as he ragged against the OPP
preston OF the Iron Chancellor He
has lived to have the satisfaction OF
seeing those states returned 20
France. with himself the leader Of his
country in bringing Germany to her
knees
But great as have been the con-
tributions OF the Tiger OF France to
the defeat OF Germany It may be
truthfully said that at no time has
he assumed a more important role
than he is now playing at the peace
conference. While there In a differ
ence of opinion among the large num-
Der OF conferees on most of tie CUES
tions they all are OF little Significance
compared with the paramount impor.
lance OF the policy to be followed In
dealing with Germany. On that CUES.
tIon the conference apparently .ia al
yided into two camps-those who be.
lieve in forcing the Huns to pay this
penalty for the frightfpi disaster they
brought upon the world. and thos,
who think the best way TO obtain 1
lasting peace Is 20 be lenient with tn,
Germans. to send them what food
. they need. raw materials for their in
dustries. and so arrange matters tina
they will be able TO take their plac,
n competition with other nations FOL
the worlds commerce.
The latter school OF thought Il
personified in Mr.. Wilson and his as
sociates on the American delegation
the former policy IL ins,sted upon b,
Clemenceau. backed by the French
Italian, Belgian and English dele
gates. The French people know tina
Germany not only has a huge arm,
with which 10 continue her menaeinI
: attitude, but factories turning on
immense quantities Of products will
: which TO flood the markets OF Franc
. and OF the world. and 3 possible fee
: Of ships to carry those products over
9 seas. France. on the other hand. n
Q members that her northern industrie
y have been destroyed systematicaIl
= by the Germans, machinery removed
cattle and livestock stolen. vineyard
D.. and orchards killed. and everythin
= possible done TO destroy her futuT
% trade competition with Germany. III
y less the Germans are held back unit
France can Teeuperate her losses 81
- Will be at the commercial mercy
OF the Huns. The Frenchmep kno
10 that Clemsnceau stands between the
IL and financial ruin In the future. III
Sc benefits OF the light that be IL no
ns making for the industrial regener
e. tion Of his country. free from Germl
- Interference, II his efforts are su
ef cessful. will be enjoyed BY bis con
" trymen for years to come, and mai
n Of Premier clemencaau the hero n
ru only Of the French people but all vi
believe that exact justice should
the lot OF friend and foe alike
tic --.-------
W SENATE WANTS ARMY
We OF $4,000 NIX