The Ocala evening star., 1921-03-05

withdraw, as he threatened TO do. in
its midst.
All these things, however, if they
do become public, probably will do so
Dy the pen of the historian after
Woodrow Wilson has been assigned to
his proper niche in the wall of history.
While the principal actors in that
series of dramas live, all these things
are,likely to remain behind the scenes.
Mr.. Wilson's retirement to private life
is not likely to release them for pub
lie consumption.
Until the beginning of the World
War Mr.. Wilson held the attention of
the country with his swift strokes at
getting legislation from Congress-
With the coming of war he devoted
the last two years of his first term
to an attempt to keep the United
States out of the conflict, and as the
seemingly inevitable drift toward war
set in he gradually assumed the diplo-
matte leadership of the nations array
ed against Germany and her allies,
and finally assumed what his parti-
sans characterized as the moral lead
ership of the world.
During the diplomatic correspon-
uence with Germany he displayed
many homely human emotions.
On May z, 1915, when Mr.. Wilson
heard the news of the sinking of the
Lusitania, he was almost at the end
| of his patience. Like a man making
last effort to avoid a quarrel with
wife who has just laid on the last
straw, he clapped on his hat and went
out and walked around the block. He
knew how to give vent to his emotions
on other occasions and has been
known to say something stronger than
than the "tut-tut" which has been as
credited to him on having made faux
pas at golf However cold and austere
he may have been accounted in his
dealings with public men. those who
have been privileged to view his FAM
lily life from the inside of the circle
testify shat he is intensely human.
What part he may take in public
affairs in the future, living as he will
almost under the shadow of the dome
of the capitol, is causing lively spec
ulation. So far as the records show
no other president has remained in
Washington after going out of office
Mr.. Wilson first intended to live ir
Baltimore. He and the present Mrs
Wilson settled it, by playing a game
the president invented during an idle
hour on the steamer George Wash,
lington on one of the trips to and from
the peace conference. 1t was a game
of percentages with certain scores al
llotted to the various advantages ol
amusements of life of which both wer,
most fond. Baltimore, as the game
worked out. had the highest total. But
breakdown and continued illness in
Itervened and it was decided to remain
in Washington. where almost all ot
Mrs. Wilson's family reside.
The new home, bought recently, il
on an elevation in the northwest resi-
dence section not far from a site lonl
leld by the Imperial German Govern
: ment for its embassy. Mr.. Wilson ex
: poets to spend the future almost ol
/ the spot where the kaiser expected TIL
Ambassador to sit.
. Because of the secrecy which ha
been thrown around his physical con
dition, the country is probably mos
/ interested in that just now. Mr. vii
/ son Is convalescent-so far as natur
: oermits-from what medically is call
= ed thrombosis-a blood clot in one o
i the arteries on the right side of hi
2 brain which impairs the motor nerve
in the left arm and leg. He can wal
e short distances alone with the aid of
: cane; longer distances require the US
n iof a wheel chair. Walking up an
d down stairs is a precarious experi
o ment seldom attempted.
e Mr.. Wilson was not stricken on tn
league IF nations speaking trip in tn
n west as is popularity opposed, br
e within weel- after he returned [
e the White House. Warning signals {
it the coming attack were what cause
It his return. For three days after /
% Icame back he seemed to be improving