The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-09

~Nu0J OF HtNuiGih@, but WuhS - StuuEbt
hs was drawn1into the young republic
oan movement against the second en-
pire. His fiery speeches caused his
arrest and imprisonment. When he
was released from prison ha went to
America to seek his fortune. For n
while he earned his living a. 4 four
nalist and later a. = techer.
He returned to France on the eve
OF the Franco Pruesian war. He took
part In the fateful proceedings Of the
national assembly At Bordeaux and IL
the only living signatory OF the pro-
test OF the deputies Of Alsace-Lorraine
Frankfort treaty, He returned to
tho chamber OF deputies in 1874 and
was continuously a member of that
body up to iesa. He always has been
~ Z ,53f$cS' w. q & "a x = ~ ~ssf 4
ferocity OF his attacks on ministers
W hose principal political object was to
keep the bourgeoise thoroughly con-
tented earned for him the appellation
of Tho Tiger"
Glenn encsau has been q powerful
journalist as well as politician. He
fought Boulangisrn and championed
the cause Of Captain Dreyfue. He did
not lose his influence over public opin-
ion while he was out OF ONCE. He
and became prime minister in 1905.
his ministry lasting three years.
The failure of successive govern
ments 30 meet the task of conducting
the war to the satisfaction Of the
French people forced him to the
front again.
As ministry after ministry failed to
meet the public expectations. senti-
ment cryetallized In favor of The
Tiger aa the one man in France cap
able OF turning tho tide from defeat
to victory. How he fulhNed that aH-
pectation is a matter OF too recent his
tory to dwell upon.
The man 10 ap Mystical marvel. In
seconding President Wilson's nomi-
nation Of M. Clemenoeau for president
Of the peace conference. Lloyd-0eorge
said Of him:
IIOYD-GEORGE DESCRIPTION.
II have attended many conferences
with nj. Clefnenceau, and in them nj!
the most vigorous. the most enduring
and tho most youthful figure there
has been that OF Monsieur Clsnien-
ceau. Hs has had the vouthfulnes-.
he has had the hopefufness and the
tirelessness OF youth. When I was
achooiboy M. Clemenceau was COM
pelling and conspicuous figure IN
inc pOllt1Cs Oh MS bhttFS tauot Aha hS
fame had extended far beyond tho
bounds of France. Were it not for
that undoubted fact. Mr.. president, /
SD ouid have treated m a legend The
common report of his years"
Now, these were not mere mpii-
m entary words uttered to fatter NJ.
C1emenceau. Mr.. Lloyd Georges au
ditors knew he spoke sincerely, for
| had they not seen with their own
eyes the marvellous physical vigor OF
| M. Clemenceau and been impressed
| by his entail alertness. Who among
all the delegates moved about with
/ more animation or showed himself
! quicker in grasp and reader In re-
sponss than this short, stoutiy built
old Frenchman. with head like a
walrus and eyes that played oyer the
Conference at all times like miniature
searchlightsf
RF.ACT1ONART. OPPONENTS SAT-.
His opponents now accuse NJ.
! Clemsnceau OF being reactionary and
AZ unable TO comprehend the new
aspirations OF humanity. Certainly,
he has not shown the same enthusi-
Asrn for the ideals OF President Will
son as some other European states
men have manifested. His first idea
=, seems to be reparahon for France
his second security for France. His
humanitarianism cannot detach him
from his consecretion to these two OBJ
jects with these ends attained. ne
probably will be more responsive to
ideals OF world justice and world
peace to which President Wilson and
others have dedicated their efforts
At least, the radicalisrn for which HI
has so valiantiy commended tn the pas,
| would seem to Justify this hope.