Evening star., 1919-02-25

10 real terror lest the war shall be
lost after all, and France left alone
again across the pathway of a Ger
many increased in power and popu-
iation by the last war.
Sought Americas Support.
Before the assassins bullet struck
It's distinguished mark there was per-
haps a certain amouns of feeling in
France that some portion of the re-
sponsibility for the division hstVeen
America and France might be charged
to French leadership. There was .
feeling that ND sacrifice could be too
great to asstire the suppdrt sSof
America for france. I'M + 4ldt 16rt
that result of this might not have
been. been to bring about out z e. chanEe el IN TIE Is
remains forever grateful to the lead
er who was the symbol of victory,
who made war necessarily while
others thought of capituIatfon-. 5r4.
it became known that Clemenceau
had been struck down was to rally
about the. injured chief. /. There was
realization. Immediate and intense,
that in all recent weeks he has been
fighting against great odds and the
for France that without which she
cannot hope to live. And If iCTemen-
ceau should live to continue: his work
in the peace conference, r. do not
believe there is the smallest qnes-
ton that. he will speak fors France
without qualification or limitation.
And if Mr.. Wilson, returning to Paris,
shall seem to pursue still politics
inimical to France, l do not think
he will have vestige of French sup
pie or the little people whose hearts
were previously stirred by his COM
ing and grievously wounded by his
refusal to go and see with his own
eyes all they had been called upon
to endure in the common cause.
There is new mood in Paris which
comedies with the Clemenceau tragedy.
but in a measure antedated it. The
shot of the anarchist was rude
awakening to world which was still
talking about Utopia while the boil
sheyiks occupy half of the same con-
tinent Even theories embodied in the
league of nations take on a modified
aspect when one perceives by practical
that force and violence
remain common circumstances OF
daily life.
Anxious for Peace.
This new mood in Paris takes the
form of sudden desire to get back
to the business of peace making.
There is not country in the world
among all who were allied against
Germany in which the necessity to
make peace. to get back to work. are
not recognized by all. in which the
threat of anarchy is not rapidly re-
placing the menace of industrial
paralysis Nor is this new mood un-
by the fact that, while the
allied countries have adopted princi
pies of abstract justice, the new Ger
many has risen from the ashes of
defeat and begun to shout threats and
old menaces.
Clemenceau was the most forceful
and picturesque personality in Paris.
Had he had his way. his own country
and half adopted little nations SCAT
tered about the fringes of Germany
would have had some guarantee as
to the future, in fact, before the con-
ference of Paris had devoted weeks
to the settlement of hypothetical
in Asia Minor and the
South Sea Islands. He did not have
his way, and no single one of all the
practical questions before the Paris
has been settled. Mr.. Will
son has carried with him to America
a rough draft of the league Of nations,
but he has left behind him chaos in
the conference and at least a sense II
division amidst the great powers who
have borne the brunt of the world
war.
Now, whether he lives or whether |
he dies, Ciemenceau has become again |
a symbol Yesterday he was the SYM
bol of victory on the battlefield, the |
ultimate expression in human form of !
the will of the, democratic nations of |
the world to live. Tomorrow he will |
be the symbol of a similar determine |
ton to translate the victory won by a |
supreme effort and final sacrifice into |
a guarantee of future existence to /
those countries which Germany sought |
to destroy. almost did destroy, and will I
have permanently wrecked if she es- |
capes just retribution and proper re- |
striction.
Has Brought Vast Change.
1t is almost impossible to describe !
the emotion created by this terrible |
deed in Paris. The thing changed the |
whole mood and temper of this world |
capital in few moments, and the |
change has endured. 1t was in no |
small measure a brutal recall to reali- |
ties, and it was recognized as such. |
My Judgment is that the course Of the |
Paris conference, hereafter will be diff |
ferent because of this deed. We shall |
have 4 stronger mind. and reduced
1csntinnedoa Second aeaeale -