The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-04

up his mind to fire some other cabi-
net officers soon after the resignation
of Secretary Lansing, but desisted, be-
cause. he said, IT would only add to the
popular impression that he couldn't
get along with anybody
1t might also tell what Mr.. Wilson
said with smile to Lloyd George
concerning the relative strengths of
the British and American navies, and
it might disclose that Mr.. Wilson went
to the peace conference prepared to
withdraw, as he threatened to do, N
its midst
All these things, however, II they
become public, probably will do 50 by
the pen of the historian after Wood
row 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 public
consumption.
Until the beginning of the world war
Mr. Wilson held the attention of the
country with his swift strokes at get
ting legislation from congress with
the coming of the 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 diplomatic
leadership OF the nations arrayed
against Germany and her allies. and
finally assumed what his partisan
characterized as the moral leadership
of the world.
During the diplomatic correspond
ence with Germany he displayed many
homely human emotions
Almost Lost Patience.
On May I, 1915. when Mr. Wilson
heard the news of the sinking of the
Lusltania, he was almost at the end of
his patience. Like a man making a
last effort to avoid a quarrel with
VIE VINO 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
10 say something stronger than the
"tut-tut' which has been accredited
to him on having made a faux pas at
golf However cold and austere he
may have been accounted in his deal
ings with public men, those who have
been privileged to view his family life
from the inside of the circle testify
that 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 Specu-
lation- So far as the records show no
other president has remained in Wash
ington after going out of office Mr..
Wilson first intended to live in Balti-
more. He and the present Mrs. Wilson
settled 1t, by playing a game the presi-
dent invented during an idle hour on
the steamer George Washington on one
of the trips to and from the peace con-
ference 1t was a game of percentages
with certain scores allotted to the vari-
! Gus advantages or amusements of life
of which both were most fond. Balti-
more, as the game worked out, had the
highest total. But breakdown and con-
tinued illness interviewed and it was
decided to remain in Washington,
lily reside.
The new home, bought recently. IS
on an elevation in the northwest resi-
dence section not far from a site
long held by the imperial German gov
eminent for embassy. Mr.. Wilson ex-
poets to spend the future almost on
the spot where the kaiser expected his
ambassador to sit.
Can Walk Some Now.
Because Of the secrecy which has
been thrown around his physical con-
dition, the country is probably most in
terested in that just now Mr.. Wilson
is convaIescent-so far as nature per-
mits-from what medically is called
throm bosis-a blood clot in one of the
arteries on the right side of his brain
which impairs the motor nerves in the
left arm and leg. He can walk short