The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-21
STRICKEN CHIEF
UNITES FRANCE
Attempt on Clemenceau's Life
Makes Him Stronger
Than Ever.
OPPONENTS DROP OUT
All Agree That Premier's One
Thought Is Safety of
Country.
OPPONENTS DROP OUT
Special Wireless Despatch to The Sun
Copvri1ht. 1919: all rights reseryed

Special Wireless Despatch to The Sun.
Copyright 1919; all rights reserued.
PARIS, Feb. 2O.-The attempt on
Premier Clemenceau's life will make
him stronger than ever politically, 1t
is believed here. II his condition per-
mits an early return to his duties his
policies and methods will meet with
more cordial support than ever, as
sympathy for him already hac led to
greater appreciation of his work
and character.
No one connected with any Of the
French political parties would pre-
dict a change in government unless
the Premiers condition turns out to
be worse than feared. Under no cir
cumstances will the attempt on his
life be made a pretext for organizing
opposition to his Government or in
any way depriving him Of his power.
The movement that existed, how
ever unobstrusively, for change of
Premiers. with Arlstlde Brands
name mentioned as his successor, is
, expected to be weakened rather than
strengthened by the shooting. Some
of the politicians said to-day that II
Clemenceau recovers. which is what
all expect, there will be no more OPP
position to his programme during the
Peace Conference.
It has been stated that Brands
| views were more liberal than Clemen-
ceaus. but it was recalled to-day that
| from the. very beginning of the war
| the aged statesman's one thought had
! been the safety of France. This com
| mends itself to every Frenchman, just
, as 1t would to every American under
| similar circumstances.
| Anhrchist stood Alone.
| 1t is with the greatest relief that
! the people heard to-day that Coffin,
the anarchist, TO every appearance was
! without associates and that he was
merely working on his own crazed
tempt at assassination was without
political significance, Just as was the
murder OF President Mckinley. They
take tlisss;o raaaN tha4--there ,s--Es
considerable or organized discomfort
with Clemenceau's methods. either in
conducting the war or the peace nego-
tiations.
what eXpectant in this regard is seen
in the fact that the question that spranG
to every ones lips, Immediately it be-
came known that the Premier was out
OF danger, was: who did this thing?
great many wanted to know II the de.
featists had a hand in the AFFAIR or II
the shooting had been done by one OF
the Caillaux partisans. The very fear
that one of these men was implicated
gave rise to the most burning indigna
ton. because it was the aged Tiger who
ran down these traitors and nulliheG
, | their work against France In the wat.
People Remain Calm.
Next the people wanted to know
! whether the assassin was a German
: seeking revenge or a Bolshevist spurret
to action by failure of the Prinkipo con
| fcrelCe.
None of those who saw Coffin witt
his blond skin and fair hair doubted a
first that he was a Russian.
: The affair served once again TO dem
ons,rate the sound good sense of tn
French. for the shooting coming at
= time when the air was surcharged Will
I momeutous events might easily hav
= precipitated a panic. Notwithstanding
I the fact that the French have ha,
4 encrah troubles and excitemen; 10 wea
/ their nerves raw they maintained never
:heless n calm that was surprising.
= / Thus far the only comment on tn
/ whole affair aside from expressions o
r /, horror and sympathy is an article 1
!. | PIntrdnsigednt which urges the rremie
cea:tnged. o.; Second Peoe