The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-05-02

Can Correctly Represent Them at
Washington - Dean of Ambassadors
Glad to Lay Aside Duties.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Special Despatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1922.
WASHINGTON. May Premier
Poincare's decision to change ambassa.
dor1 at Washington is regarded as sig
nificant only if French policy is to be
changed. in which case it would appear
that more harm than good will be done
by the removal of Jules Jusserand.
Back of the effort to Dust NJ. Jusse-
rand which has been going on for the
asst four years, is an interesting story.
The French ambassador has not done
some of the things which in his judg-
ment would hurt Franco-American rela-
lions. He has not liked the idea of
propaganda because he knew Americans
didn't like that method of conducting
governmental relations. The criticism of
NJ. .Iusserand for not doing certain
JhinGS that French politicians believed
should be done in America have had
much to do with the decision to change
ambassadors.
Many MISUNDERSTANDING
France is just waking up to the fact
that her relations with America are full
IF misunderstanding. She is blaming
an ambassador at Washington for it.
The truth is France has changed admin
istrations 80 often that no ambassador at
Washington will be able to reflect the
French viewpoint with conviction until
stability is attained. During the recent
arms conference, France had three men
at the head of her delegation. There
was no consistency in the delegation She
sent here. First. Premier Briand was
&, m charge lie left Rene Viyiani who in
turn took a casual interest IN what was
going on and made preparations to sail
for home the day he was made head of
the delegation. Finally VI. Sarraut was
put in charge with disastrous results. He
knew very little of what had been going
on and knew much less how to deal with
American officials.
On top of this there was political tur-
moil III France. The BRAND ministry
was overthrown. NJ. Jusserand has had
10 contend with that kind of thing from
the beginning.
Must Change Representations.
He no sooner explains the French
viewpoint on something than a ministry
changes and he must often make a new
presentation of a case. Under the cir
cumStanceS the agility of VI. Jusserand
has been a source of much admiration in
official Washington. For. years he has
maintained excellent relations with
every American administration He
played tennis with President Roosevelt
was an intimate friend of President
Taft and was on confidential terms with
President Wilson. Since the Harding
administration began he has had access
to Secretary Hughes and President
Harding and has continued on a plane
mcnt
At no time would NJ Jusserand en-
ploy the tactics of Count Won Bern
stOrff. the former German ambassador.
i'm cultivating Washington correspond
entS and attempting. to keep i'm close
touch with the editors of American
newspapers. NJ. Jusserand maintained
a dignitied course throughout and was
much respected for it. When the war
was over and certain French influences
insisted on the maintenance of a pTopa-
ganda in America, NJ. Jusserand did not
like the idea and pleaded against it.
Finally the French government sent
Marcel Knecht who, in the guise of rep
rcsenting French newspapers. made it his
business to visit newspaper offices in an
attempt to get editorials written favor
able to the French viewpoint. The
harm done by the Knecht adventure has
yet to be repaired and will take the
Dean of Diplomatic Corps. 1
Jules Jusserand is the dean of the |
diplomatic corps. He has served at
Washington longer than the ambassador !
of any other country. His going will be
regretted though it is realized that he is |
anxious to be relieved of the burden and |
strain which has rested on his shoulders |
not only through the strenuous days OF |
the war. but in the even more trying |
DAYS since the armistice. NJ. Jusserand |
was first criticized severely in France |
for expressing the belief in his cable |
grams that America would Join the |
league of nations and sign the Versailles |
treaty. He could not believe America |
would fail TO do So His prediction was
wrong So were the predictions of |
Americans who We're even closer to the I
political situation in the United States /
than a foreigner could ever hope to be. |
Incidentally. his reports were not far !
different from those sent by other am |
bassadors to their home governments.
Another occasion for criticism was the |
fact that NJ. Jusserand did not lobby in |
the American senate. Certain French |
E,oIgavnI no should have