The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1921-10-29

as was that of Mr.. Wilson in this
country, but the explanation is sim
pier. Most Americans think of Glenn
enceau at Versailles as a standpatter
and imperialist. As matter of fact,
he was a liberal If we compare him
with the other strong forces in French
governing circles. And what he is
being punished for is his liberalism,
not his Imperialism.
From the standpoint OF most poll
ticians what happened at Versailles
was that Clemenceau gave up the de-
sires of Foch and the other believers
in a settlement based on force and
accepted instead of Mr.. Wilson's
league of nations and Mr.. Wilson's
promise to use his efforts to bring
about a temporary triple alliance to
make France feel safe until the league
should grow into a real protection.
Mr.. Wilson was unable to deliver and
the French politicians now point out
that France has neither the safety
from agreement which Wilson promis-
ed. nor the safety from crushing mill
tary occupations of Germany and an
neXations, on which the Foch plan
was based. Clemenceau therefore is
kicked out of popularity by his coun-
try with as much promptness and
decision as was ever handed to any
other popular idol.
Once an English statesman at the
height OF prestige was congratulated
by friend on the enthusiasm with
which the people followed him. Wait
awhile" said the statesman. TT will
not be long before they are crying
for my head"
Was a Radical
Clemenceau in his youth was a
radical. He took active part in the
commune at the end of the Franco
German war. Since then he has spent
most of his time in sharp opposition
to existing governments. 1t was in
the savagery Of his attacks that he
earned his name of the tiger" But
being in power is something different
from being out especially for a person
who is primarily a critic. When in
power, instead of throwing bricks,
one has chance to see what they
feel like.
Clemenceau deserves our sympathy
because he is more nearly right than
are those who are turning public
opinion against him. The crowds that
have taught the French people to look
upon the tiger as the betrayer OF their
welfare are the crowd headed by
Poincaire and Foch. They are the
crowd that think safety lies in the
J French possession OF territory up to
the Rhine, in French excuses for
} marching to Berlin. In handling the
! Ruhr and Silesian questions not from
an industrial point of view. but from
the standpoint of weakening Germany,
: Then Came Revelations
Extraordinary revelations came out
in the recent attacks on Clemenceau
: by the Poincare people. both sides re-
ferring to documents. These docu-
ments show that Lloyd George and
Wilson tried to prevent the occupation
of German territory. But neverthe.
less France had her way on thai
! point. They show that Fochs idea Of
I getting hold of the Rhine for q
French strategic frontier has by ne
means been abandoned. but has nov
= more support than before. among
I French statesmen. because OF the
b failure of Wilson to put through hi
d plans for quietlng French fears with
t international agreement.
y They show also that both the Poin
4 care and the Clemenceau factions ad
s NIT that the terms imposed on Ger
h many are beyond her power to NEE
+ and that this inability 70 meet tn
9 terms gives FRANCISCAN opportunity t,
7, occupy the~hhina Indefinitely.
u B0r the two principal opposing
a groups Of French Statesmen to rejoic
. that they have succeeded in imposing
y on Germany conditions that are i'm
l. possible. because that gives the F'renel
e military power an excuse for indefinite
n occupation. Is about as wise as tn
> reoonstrpetion policy that was carries
u against the views OF the dead Lincoln
l. YetSths present feeling runs 80 higl
O that demands are constant tina
q caemenceau. shall be put on trial 70
treason. The reason for this fury /
!. that Cismencean has not been a
crazy a. the Poinoare people thin
b. Ihs Should ,hays been.-sioux Cit
;, zt1buRs