The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-05
nv ALBERT THOMAS

BY ALBERT THOMAS
Former Minister Of Armament)
Paris, Jan. tit IL a situation truly
exceptional and strange which permits
~ to enjoy President Wilson In Eu-
rope.
Al home Mr. Wilson Ia . political
man involved in the daily political bat
tle-the newspapers tell US ne is IN
deed the life OF his pRrty-and he ~
therefore exposed to the criticisms of
his adversaries.
Same OF our reachonary politicians,
ardent partisans of a peace based upon
force attempted to make heard IN
Europe echoes OF the political con-
flict across the Atlantic. They there
by attempted to reduce Wilson'S pres
tire or attack his ideas. They have
not succeeded.
Lacking sympathy and support
among the masses his adversaries
hare shown him the same respect as
his friends.
whence comes such unprecedented.
such unparalleled popularity? Is II
the effect of the amiabie and tradi-
tional curiosity Of the people OF the OLD
world Tor the inhabitants OF the new
VI hich made the celebrated Franklin
visit Versailles?
II II a manifestation OF the grail
tude OF the allied peoples, particular
II the French. for the chief of the
/, great nation which came at a deci.
ssve moment to help the triumph OF
Justice and whose troops fastened VIC
tory
Beyond doubt. Bu, the popular at
fiction for President Wilson Is some
thing more BY his statements ana
messages and replies TO the diplo-
n attic documents he gave the Ameri-
CSC intervention Its complete mean
ing.
He nrst became known to the
1915. he asked the two groups Of bell
ligcrents their aims. Then he began
III b. much discussed.
@ Some who are today admirinG and
supporting him most ardentiy asked
with anxiety whether there was not
some political game which might help
Germany behind his inquiry
PURE DEAIISM.
Events which followed rapidly
showed the pure idealisfn which in
spired that hrst move. Fortified by
Il &rts which EpstHfned his words. 2 slta
1rvp.ted with authority based upon
browning popular support. President
Wilson was then able to formulate be-
fore the eyes of an attentive world the
means by which he intended 70 re, re-,
spond to the deepest desires OF all
hrm.niiy of assuring a lust peace and
institute the rule OF Justice through a
league Of nations
The president has the special
~ merit Of E*FiHs his words that ~tsaHs-
tnous precision that finai form which
give his most practical political ideas
every quality OF PROPAGANDA and the
religious force Of popular aspirations
Placed above the political men OF
old Europe who were burdened and
haraased by numerous pre-occupatons
natural IN warning countries. either
near to the enemy or invaded. and
therefore unable to express except IN
confused and hesitating terms the In
tcntiops Of the struggling nations
President Wilson was able to take In
the entire conflict 1T a single glance
able to reflect.
- reflection allowed him to dis
\ cover for all nations the rightful de-
stres OF civilized humanity.
und ,ubtedly that II how he attarct-
ed tho hearts OF the democratic work
ing masses: that is how he attached
himself to the liberal democracies:
that u how finally, among all demo-
cratic leaders he gained the affection
OF the French.
when President wilson came to
Europe some Of his friends were
alarmed. II there was mixed with
the sympathy Of the masses de-
gree Of idolatry. was 1t not risky to
place the idol amidst the Worship
complex and subtle; Europes inter-
national life indeed il regular wasp
neat
would not the president by the exi-
y rcncies Of even his adhcrents com
-nmisA that high moral authority,
4 that kind OF universal magistary
y oh. like Pericle~ he was ever
49, II. a. u
RULERS WE'RE WORRIED.
Furthermore the old forces Of re-
R~tse, or assurance might come back
RI To HE. Were not Eurore's rulers
rsrried over his coming which might
rean the preparing Of traps? Hia
crnftng appeared more DANGEROUS he
cause. for example. In France the
4 eNrialtsts and workers were often dis
n aw-NNing with Clemenceau. h
Perhaps our American friends have
@n~d mentioned manifestation
which French United labor and the
eNcialist societies wanted to ORGANIZE
fnr the president. a manifestation
which he even expected at his rest
dence IN Paris, but which was pre-
vented by certain maneuvers OF the
Il French government. But THAT WA
\ only small episode. Truly Wilson
eTnerKea now from the test victorious,
Tbs people Of Parts especially are
not disa appointed by having met hin,
1Ace to face. The president's sim
nliclty and natural ease have earned
\ him the enthusiasm and admiration
u NJ the pOpulace, always responsive
~ persrnAl charm.
The pleasure. both amused and
SERIOUS. with which the prcaldent
4 Matneled with our people goes direct
I'M ttseif hearts. Finally whether IN
sths Eiysee palace toast. whether Ia
yHnIy to the socialist delegation.
tcontinuSd on Pass Two.3 y