South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19
BY FRANK II. SIMONDS,
ews-TimeS and Associated
Newspapers War Expert.

a this OLD man. Connecticut school teacher
OF the period when the Civil just over in
America, was the final hope for France. VNiani, he
OF the words: BRAND, who tired under
great task: Paineve, scholar incredibly active.
inescapably ddactic They all failed and when the
enemy was again at Noyon and still within TSnse OF
Rheims. but when ossimists came from France bring
Ing words OF evil thought always Of tnis
Clemenceau, as he sat behind his sun empiacement,
two years before. shaking the cap ne had borrowed
from some polu. who was glad doubt not 10 lend
once had doubts about France once fear for
my countrymen. bat now. is it not wonderful is it not
unbelievable"
them. I do think woaId trust Clemen-
they did Roosevelt; his following Nil never
him. the thing YOU feel about the is
he fight out; fought out French
politics for nearly half century. His enemies have
passed. he is is who ras survived AND as ne was the
first premier IN France 10 make unhesating answer
German, the first since 1sos. ne deserved and
achieved victory-as man who has no fear and has
never yet surrendered.
Today men all over the world are reading with joy
OF the return of France 10 her lost provinces" If
French generals in Colmar in NIulhouse. in Net in
StrasSbcurg Today the glory OF the achievement be-
longs to the soldiers; they have earned it and they
should enjoy IT. And tomorrow and for all other da.s
the fame OF Foch will endure the ccnqueror OF the
German military machine. the who broke the
mighty, if evil traditions of the Prussian war lords
CLENnENCEAT-s HELP NEEDED.
But without Cemenceau, Focn could not have tri-
umphej Without Foch Petan could not have
organized the French army following the military oe-
and the moral weakening of 1917. When France
turned Z Clemenceau, all other hope he
came heraldcd by evi forecasts of brief ministry
and complete and disastrous failure. He when
abroad and defeatist propaganda general
After he there a period of military disaster
and a growing of impending defeat.
who forget the bitter weeks when day after day
Cemenceau appeared the Chambre still covered with
dust Of Flanders. OF Picardy, Of the H.
bringing OF defeats only narrowly
vented from becoming disasters? Who Will forget 4,
knows. the appearances Of this OF "a the
lines under the heaviest fire. inviting death.
men said then? He brought the army the mmedi-
eminent brought the civil population, the leg
islators the unconquerabe spirit of the army.
There a day when all changed and the Senate
and the Chanbre alike greeted with applause which
had no returning Lille.
bringing the assurance that Metz and 6tTassbOurg
would be redeemed. one triumph his.
Men had debated about the fashion in which Alsace
Lorraine would be restored TO france. Clemenceau
all that by having written the armistice the
provision should be reczoned
with all other occupied districts with those Of 1914
and 1915.
Thus he made good his ancient protest, for he
the OF the deputies who 1871 had
against the cessoh Of the provinces denied the
right the legislature make such surrender
claimed illegal and unJustifable. In the language o.
the armisice he made good his protest of 1871 tbs
provinces returned French soil
Rarely history has il been given
represent his country at a hour in
its history represent il that his person
atty figure the expression OF a nation,
which itself the object OF world admiration such
and is the achievement OF Georges Clemenceau-