Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-11-18

his sleeping habit and there were &C.
casions when, for two or three days at
a time, the aged Premier and Minister
Of War never removed his clothing.
but caught mere snatches of rest OF a
few minutes duration on lounge in
his office. In peace time, however.
Clemenceau has a less strenuous pro-
gram. In summer, as soon as he
arises. he takes to his garden in the
rear Of his town apartment, inspecting
the flower beds and the shrubbery and
trees, pruning off dead branches and
pulling weeds. He thus finds rest from
the turmoil Of politics and the cares
of office.
Clemenceau, It is not generally
known, was formerly Il physician. He
came to New York in 1866 but aband-
cncd the practice of medicine to teach
school at Stamford. Conn. He married
an American girl in 1869. Miss Mary
Flummer, of New York, and returned
to France a few years later.
He entered the French National As
sembly in 1871, became president of
the municipal council of Paris in 1875.
and was elected to the Chamber of
Deputies in 1876. In 1887 he declined
en- invitation of the President of
France to form Ministry. In the
general wreck of French politicians
caused by the Panama scandal of 1892,
he failed Of reelection to the Cham
Der, but in 1902 he was sent to the
Senate. Meanwhile he had fought six
or seven duels and had won fame as
vitriolic writer. From 1906 to 1909
he was Premier He was an anti
Clerical AMI fought for the separation
of church and state. He led several
political fights which resulted in the
downfall OF as many Ministries.
In 1914, at the beginning of the war,
he established in Paris L'Homme Li5re,
that it was suppressed. Soon after it
reappeared in Bordeaux under the
name Of L'Homme Enchaine. Clemen-
ccau refused to be silenced in exposing
government abuses growing out of the
war. When the Bolo Pasha and Call
laux revelations awakened France to
her peril, revelations largely brought
about by Clemenceau the "Tiger's'
popularity became nationwide. Presi-
dent Poincare called upon the veteran
statesman in November 1917, when all
France was depressed by the defeatiSt
propaganda and her troops were suf-
fering sorely in the field to head new
War Ministry.
Interpellated in the Chamber of Dep
uties as to what his war aim" would
be, the whitc-haired Premier replied:
my aim is to be victor" He ex-
pressed at this time his opposition to
receiving Germany into any society of
nations which might be formed after
the war, and declared:
MEN of great minds believe that
words have the power to liberate. The
word right the word Justice the
word liberty are words as old as man.
Many thinkers believe some miracle
will suddenly end the war and produce
a Society of Nations. I do not believe
it. am here for action. 1 cannot
see that a Society of Nations is the
necessary conclusion of the present
war" Later, however. he approved Of
the League of Nations covenant.
Speaking i'll the French Senate in 1917
he declared: 1--WE will fight until the
hour when the enemy comes to under
stand that bargaining between crime
and right is no longer possible. We
want just and strong peace. protect
ing the future against the abomina-
lions of the past"
1--WE have waited 40 years for this
he was quoted as saying on
June 25, 1919, when the German note
accepting the Treaty Of Peace was re-
ceived at Versailles. This is life's
biggest moment for me-"
When the turn Of the tide came in
the West, when the last German
drive" had spent itself and the Allies
were breaking the Hindenburg line. he
said: 1.-The day of glory has come!
Our sons are completing the formidable
task of their fathers and with brother
ly nations are securing a supreme VIC
tory. All right-minded humanity is
with our troops who are liberating the
world from the fury Of an evil force"
Shot by the 19-year-old anarchist.
Emile Cotton. on Feb. 2. 1919, Clemen-
ceau joked with the doctor who at
tended him. THE anarchists hunted
the tiger but they missed him." he
Cotton was sentenced to
death, but Clemenceau urged commuta-
ton and the youth received 10 years
When President Will
son called to express his sympathy the
aged statesman told him his hide"
was too thick for a bullet to pierce"
Upon the completion of the draft Of
the Peace Treaty by the Supreme Inter-
Allied conference. Clemenceau. who
had presided at the historical gather
Ing. bade his colleagues adieu with the