South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-05

aims mat was as instant as IL was
fundamental England, France, and
Italy were gathered as victOrs to
impose terms upon a defeated en-
envy, their whole intent embiLtered
by the wretchedness and desolation
at their backs. The settlement with
Germany accomplished, and ac-
complished according TO the Mosaic
formula, they were willing to talk
Of world peace and international
concert but not until then. Only
the mind of the president was un-
clouded by any passion of anger or
self-interest.
The allied point Of view found a
vigorous and complete expression in
Clemenceau, better Known rs The
Tiger Mr. Keynes, in The Econ
omic Consequences of the Peace
more concerned with striking phrase
than true Characterization may call
Clemenceau dry in soul and empty
or hope, but no one else gained any
such impression. The whole soul of
the man famed with a passion for
France, his hopes for France were
lnSiStent demands, and TO the sup
port Of an aggressive natfonalism he
brought the strength OF a bull and
the direct charge of a rhinoceros.
AS youth. he had writhed under the
Prussian entry into Paris from 1871
TO 1914 he had seen his country
exist as a nation by the sufferance
of Berlin, and il was the memory
of these unhappy. humiliating years
that dominated him at every stage
of the conference. Reparation was
not a determining consideration with
him by any means. What he wanted,
what France demanded, was secur-
ity. Better a PROSTATE Germany too
weak TO pay than a Germany strong.
enough to pay, and therefore strong
enough 10 repeat the assaults of
1870 and 1914. II was this fear,
burned into French consciousness by
a half-century Of dread that Glenn
enceau felt and expressed. When he
presented claims that violated the
principles Of settlement IL was in no
spirit OF mean rapacity. but in
obedience TO very natural instinct
OF self-preserYauon France was
sick OF living under the Prussian
sword. The simplicity OF Clemen-
ceau's problem added immeasurably
70 the innate strength of the man.
He stood for France, for France
alone and the devastated area was
a background that not only robbed
the stand Of sordidness. but gave II a
certain heroic quality. Squat and
powerful. his long arms reaching
well below HIS knees. his old face
gnarled into the shape Of a bludgeon.
he was an embodiment of the print
tive, the savage, as he stood over
the bleeding, PROSTATE form of
France and beloved his challenges"
The president, on the other hand,
role He fought for principles al
l.. 4
al, and neither could he point be-
hind him 10 war-ravaged land. He
had to find his foothold among SEEM
ing distractions, while Clemenceau
was privileged 20 fix his feet on the
solid granite OF an uncOmpromiSing
demand. Clemenceau could talk
concretely while the president was
forced TO talk generally. He could
appear the man OF action, while the
president. in the nature OF things.
had 10 look the man OF words. AS
for the other delegates
Orlando, the Italian delegate.
was plump. CHEEKY little man,
blessed with some approach 70 demo-
cratic vision as well as a very real
ability. but at his back. controlling
and directing. was always Baron
Sidney Sonnino. the minister Of for
and an English mother, Sonnino had
the age of Cynicism Of Clemenceau
without a single one Of the French
mans generous passions Hair
white as snow. his age-stooped
shoulders and hawk face Joined 10
give him the appearance OF a bird
OF prey. An imperiaiist in every
inch OF his old body, believing inn
plicitly in secret diplomacy and the
balance Of power. Sonnino foresaw
the triumphs Of the allies at the time
italy entered the war. and dreamed
a dream OF divided spoils that would
restore the ancient glories OF his
country The claim 10 Fiume cut
ting of the Slavic hinterland from
any AdriRtic port. was his cOncep-
ton entirely, and at every point in
the conference he stood like iron
against 'Utopian theories and emo
tional experiments
''Working by himself. Orlando
would have been OF inestimable
value 10 his country, but SonninO
was a milestone that dragged him
down. T0citurn 10 the point or sui
lenress. offensive to the point OF in
science. and holding himself alOof
AZ all times. Sonniuo was The most
disliked man in Paris. His constant
pull and haul with Orlando also had
the effect Of giving a wierd effect
OF contrariety 20 every Italian posi-