The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-08-19
HARDING AND WILSON.


Frenchmen have not yet got a very
clear notion of President Harding's
personality. Through many years
they gradually built up a more or
less legendary Wilson portrait,
which was somewhat retouched and
corrected when they had chance to
see the subject at close range at the
Paris peace conference. There is still
much talk about Mr.. Wilson in the
European press-political personali-
ties do not drop out Of sight so
quickly in foreign countries as at
home. An example is Clemenceau,
hardly mentioned now in France by
enemies who talk Of having him ar
raigned before High Court, as Gail
laux was. -,
president; Wilson's health is no.
ticeably improved since he left the
White House," writes the weekly
Cri De Paris. .:'He is still frobidden
however, to work. But he reads much,
or rather Mrs. Wilson reads metaphy-
sical books to him, for which his
taste has increased since his illness.
HE likes Bergson's philosophy
more and more. He is also delving
into the mysteries Of the beyond,
which is fashionable thing to do
now IN America as well as Europe.
But this curiosity about happenings
in the other world does not prevent
him from taking an interest in the
things of this earth. He keeps track
Of the political questions Of the mo-
ment. A faithful secretary sums up
world news for him every day. Natur-
ally full report Of the doings Of
the League of Nations is not omitted
and M. Viviani is at present the
Frenchman that he likes most.
"When he learned Of his success
sor's plans for a disarmament con-
ference he warmly approved the idea
but since he has lost none of his
sense of optimistic humor as re-
suit of his illness and his troubles
he said to senator who called on
him: H.. q.
"'Only prospering businesses have
competitors. Inasmuch as Harding is
now trying to start an establishment
to rival the one / founded, the League
of Nations can't be doing so badly
as its enemies make out. Unless he
added Harding also is only a poor
dreaming idealist, full of illusion
''Mr. Wilson is also giving much at,
tention to the Irish question. He has
followed all the proceedings with the
greatest interest and has never tired
of repeating: aE ... .,
"'Lloyd George will quickly per-
ceive that he is on the wrong track.
He will be forced to grant Ireland
her liberty e-,sr,4 j.. !,
'Indeed as early as the Paris con-
ference Mr. Wilson had tried to bring
the Irish question up, but without
success. When the Sarre matter was
arranged at one Of the meetings,
Lloyd George exclaimed:
"'We are making the Sarre the
happiest country in the world. No
military service, very low taxes; the
franc is substituted for the mark,
which is worth nothing it is splendid!
The Sarre will be the paradise of
Europe ..1'
"'Why,' MIR. Wilson interrupted,
don't you do the same for Ireland?'
"Clemenceau growled, Orlando
took on an air very much detached
from the things of this world, and
Lloyd George quickly changed the
subject" .a.. '...-
The Cri de Paris goes on to say:
.'While history is gathering still Mr.
Wilson's humorous sallies;; it is mute
about Harding's quips. Doesn't Mr..
Harding ever joke? That if true
would be surprising. There is always
sense of humor in every American,
ready to burst out at the opportune
time. We mentioned this to an Amer
lean confrere the other day, who re-
piled:
president Harding is waiting for
tho "o Oh ~ ooxna