Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-02-28
THE PREMIER OF PREMIERS


can Publicity Association, through its
President. Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr.,
today gave out the following statement
from its Washington headquarters:
1T is not too much to predict that
history will point to Premier Clemen-
ceau as the greatest personality that
this war has developed. Called from
retirement to take command of the
government after other premiers had
failed to measure up to the demands
of the hour he Immediately demon
strated IN his vigorous handling of the
situation that he had lost none of his
early fighting qualities. The cause of
the allies was at low ebb when Glenn
anceau stepped into the arena and
calmly announced that thereafter Mar
shall Foch would exercise supreme
command of the allied armies. Such
was the force Of his character that no.
body had the hardihood to dispute his
decision, and the appointment of Foch
as generalissimo was accepted. No
other single incident of the war con-
tributed SO much to the allied success
as the unified command that Clemen
ceau by sheer force of will made a
reality.
Premier Clemenceau's entire life
has been in the turmoil of politics, con-
stantly fighting for the principles in
which he believed. Although France
was forced to conclude a disastrous
peace with Germany in 1871, it was not
done with the acquiescence of Clemen-
ceau. He was one of the delegates at
the negotiations fought to the last
against the ceding of Alsace and LOr
raine to Germany Men cannot be
bought as slaves in Africa, nor sold as
serfs in Russia nor delivered like cat
tie into the hands of Bismarck" Those
were his words as he ragged against
the oppression Of the Iron Chancellor
lie has lived to have the satisfaction
of seeing those states returned to
France, with himself the leader of his
country in bringing Germany to her
knees.
But great as have been the contri-
buttons of the Tiger OF France to the
defeat Of Germany it may be truthfully
said that at no time has he assumed a
more important role than he is now
playing at the peace conference. While
there is difference of opinion among
the large number of cOnferees on most
of the questions they all are of little
significance compared with t he para
mount Importance of the policy to be
followed in dealing with Germany.
On that question the conference ap-
parently is divided into two camps
those who believe in forcing the Huns
to pay the penalty. for the frightful
disaster they brought upon the world,
and those who think the best way to
obtain a lasting peace is to be lenient
with the Germans, to send them what
food they need. raw materials for
their industries. and so arrange mat
ters that they will be able to take their
place in competition with other nations
for the worlds commerce.
The latter school Of thought is per-
sOnitied in Mr. Wilson and his assO-
ciates on the American delegation, the
former policy is insisted upon by Glenn
enceau. backed by the French. Italian,
Belgian. and English delegates The
French people know that Germany not
only has a huge army with which to
continue her menacing attitude, but
factories turning out immense quaint |
ties of products with which to food the
markets of France and of the world. |
and possible fleet of ships to carry |
those products overseas. France, on
the other hand, remembers that her |
northern Industries have been de-
stroyed Systematically by the Ger |
mans, machinery removed, cattle and
livestock stolen, vineyards and or
chards killed, and everything possible |
done to destroy her future trade com
petition with Germany Unless t h e
Germans are held back until France |
can recuperate her losses she will be
at the commercial mercy of the Huns. |
The Frenchmen know that Clemenceau |
stands between them and financial ruin |
in the future The benefits of the |
fight that he is now making for the in |
dustrial regeneration Of his country, |
free from German interference, If his |
efforts are successful. will be enjoyed |
by his countrymen for years to. come,
and make of Premier Clemenceau the |
hero not only of the French people but |
of all who believe that exact justice |
should he the lot of friend and foe
alike"
THINK IN INTEREST-sAvE--