The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-12
WORLD PEACE
NOT SECURE
Premier Clemenceau Warns Al
lies That Flame of War
May Flare Up.
RUSSIA MAY SUPPLY
MAN POWER FOR HUNS
French Premier of Opinion That
Prussia May Yet Draw Strong
Support From Russia.

Paris, Feb. (Ry the Associated
Press}-'fWhile I have said that the
war has been won, it would perhaps
be more accurate to say that there is
lull IN the Storm" said George
SClenenceau, the French premier, in
the course of an interview with the
Associated Press today. ''At least,
he added. .it is as we'll to face
sGuareIy all the possibilities.
Although Germany has been beat
en- nn;litarily and had been largely
disarned there still remained, the
premier pointed out. "a chaotic but
fruitful Russia from which great
help may be drawn by the Teutons
There would be danger, he thought,
of a 'reopening Of the military de-
bacle if it were not for the assurance
President Wilson had voiced recently
that whenever France or any other
free people were menaced the whole
world would be ready to vindicate its
liberty"
In the society of nations. said the
premier. each nation must be willing
to renounce its traditional aloofness
sdQG CS Wi1lIAS ~ ciAiP1oS eAAS tAN'SAS-1
strength outside of its own country,
10th in war and in peace.
Premier Clemenceau warmly prais-
ed the help the American troops
s Aad given in winning the war for de-
mccracy and expressed disbelief that
there was not a man in the American
army of occupation who regretted
that he had fought on the side Of
freedom because he had found more
creature comforts in Germany than in
France.
81 lived in the United States in my
Young and formative days" said Pre-
uaser CIemenceau, beginning. Per
haps. therefore, I may be INDUCED TO
say a few words to our allies on the
other side of the Atlantic. Not by
way Of. advice or propaganda, but
sfrSnkly, as friend Co friend.
aThe friendship between our peo-I
pfes. which has subsisted for cen
aury and half, is a very beautlfui
thing. The like Of it has never ex-
isted for the same length OF time be-
tween any other two peoples. This
cordially, cennented by our contact
during the war, must endure in clos
er measure hereafter. To this end
our minds must meet.
THE entrance of America into the
great war was full Of dramatic in
terest. The application of nationwide
conscription without the slightest dis
turbance. the universal self-denial to
supply US with food and all our re-
cuirements, the unity Of purpose and
the amazing energy Of 10. 100000 Of
people Of so VARYING and complex
character challenged our admiration
and gratitude in such fashion as nc
one but ourselves can know.
"And the way the American soldiers
fought. Nothing could have been
firer. Inspired by the holtest ideals.
I may say transhgured, they entered
upon their task with all the determ-
ination all the fervor. all the spirit
ual purpose of the old time crusaders
They did work, France might have
died; she would not have surrender
ed. But do not mistake me. do not
mean to minimize the Importance OF
the American military aid, nor Of the
American Red Cross, nor the Saliva
ton Army. nor any Of the helpful
agencies. There never has been in all
the worlds history SO perfect coordi-
nation Of the holy purpose Of the
righteous minded Inhabitants Of the
earth.
And now the war is won. The
world is made safe for democracy.
for life liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness. as Jefferson said in the
American declaration Of independence.
And the future is before us. What
has it in store?
.T am told that some Of these gal
trenches. slept in dugouts and bur-
rowed in the mud in devastated and
war torn Trance, when they crossed
the Rhine and in an undevastated
land, round clean beds and baths,
rather regret that they fought on the
side Of freedom and would rather
have fought on the side Of the Inur-
dering Germans I do not believe it.
I am sure there is no American sci
dier who does not recognize that
France the battle field Of the war.
could not give him the comforts that
Germany, undevastated. was able to.
I do not and will not believe SO mean
ly Of single one of the brilliant war
riors who came from the States to
our aid in the great struggle for civ
ilization against savagery. It is in
credible It is the tragedy Of the war
that devastated France could not give
them the comforts that unbroken
Germany could.
81 believe there is some criticism
that there have been unfair charges
by the French for food and other
things Well, there are things to be
said about that First, for many years
the. Americans have been coming to
Europe and with abundant means
and great generosity have been spoil
ing our people. They have paid 70"
everything with a bountcous hand. AS
a result they have taught our people.
who were willing pupils. that they
were rich and very generous. 1t was
but human that our people should ex-