Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-02-19

the fleshy part of his neck but did not
sever any arteries.
News of the attack on Clemenceau
was flashed to President Wilson by
wireless.
All the American peace delegates ex
pressed keen regret and appreciation Of
the premier S qualities. They called at
the residence during the day.
All conferences were cancelled.
General anxiety was expressed, des.
pite the statement that the wound was
not serious.
Clemeneeau, as permanent chairman
of the peace congress, is the biggest fig
ure in Europe at present. He became
premier November 16, 1917 and, despite
his seventy seven years, has survived
sceral bitter political battles since
that time. BY many critics he is given
equal credit with Marshal Foch FOR the
allied victory He is popularly known
as the tiger" and has fived up to that
name during the peaee conference.
"The Tiger" was born in 1S4l dur
ing the reign of Louis Philippe. He be-
came fighting republican during Ma
poleon HIS reign.
As boy he preached republicanism
to the peasants shout his birthplace of
Vendee, southwestern France, which
was then royalist center. He was often
greeted with pitchforks.
After studyingsmedicine, Clemenccau
went to England,and later to the Unit
cd States, where he visited many cities
of Importance and studied American in
stitutions. He speaks English fluently.
Clemenceau, returMing to France, was
mayor of Montmarte at 80. Then he was
elected to tho chamber of deputies. An
anti-imperialist, he there fought
Frances participation in the British.
Egyptian campaign. He was accused
of taking British gold for letting Eng
land have free hand, and lost his
seat in the chamber
Prepared For Re-Entry.
For ten years Clemenceau s Gdversar-
los thought him politically dead, but he
was merely preparing for re-entry into
the arena. He founded two or three
newspapers wrote several books and
then quite suddenly "came back. y This
time he was elected to the senate.
Clomenceau was premier at the time
Of the Casa Blanca affairs between
France and Germany, whom, for time
war appered to be inevitble. Germany
had insisted upon an apology from
France and the latter, as Germany and
everybody knew, was in no position for
war. But Clemenceau sent back this
message:
'sTel them there will be no apology "
And there was none.
After the peace preiiminaries got un
der way, Clemenceau created an appar.
entity embarrassing situation by telling
the chamber of deputies he was in favor
Of retention of the "balanee of power
system, at precisely the same time Pre-.
sident Wilson was telling the British iA
Manchester that the "balance Of pow.
or" must give way to the league of ma
tions. 1t has since developed that Glenn
enceau merely was seeking to obtain
guarantees for frances future security
against aggression.
Official Statement.
Paris, Feb. 19.--The following off
cial statement regarding the attempted
assassination Of the premier was issued
today:
premier Clemenceau was in his au-
tomobile in the Boulevard De Lescit
when man fired seven shots at him,
The premier was struck in the should.
er. Several bullets entered the clothing
of the two drivers but they were not
wounded.
CDR. Graussct, after an examination,
stated that the premier was not serious.
ly wounded"
The physicians will conduct a more
thorough examination of the premier's s
wounds this afternoon, it was announc-
ed.
President Poincsre, members Of the
cabinet, foreign diplomats and Marshal
Foch, who hurried to the premier's res.
idence. remained in a room near the
one in which Clcmenceau was resting.
King George Condoles.
rN~a~s Fab liking George today
sent the following message to Premier
Clemenceau:
81 am shocked to hear of the bastard,
" attack. earnestly trust that your
injuries are not serious and that, thanks
to your splendid energy and courage,
You will soon be restored to health and