New-York tribune., 1922-12-13
The Success of Clemenceau

The Success of Clemenceau
NJ. Clemenceau came to America
asking nothing material and ne
takes nothing tangible home with
him. But he has been nobiy sue
cessful in his venture and he sails
to-day with all and more achieved
than his heartiest well wishers could
hope.
Only a mind Of the first rank and
a courage prOportionate thereto
could have faced this adventure
overseas in a strange land. A lesser
man would have been afraid Of OF
Tending, conscious Of the confusion
and counter voices which must nee
essarily be the first reaction to ms
candid words. AS il is, he has al
ready seen that first confusion pass
and the processes Of actual refiee-
ton and debate begin.
1t was something very Ike the
breakup of n log-jam that this stall
wart eighty-one-year-old French
man stepped forward 10 undertake.
A little gentle dynamite, artfully
rvrlied, was, TO carry on the meta
pbor. his method Of procedure. so
ftr as tie American people were
concerned they had ceased to move
"a respect TO a European policy.
rhey were halted, tangled in hope
less confusion Of ill-will and cross
purposes. exactly where the Yer
sailles failure had landed them. To
speak out frankly, TO explode a
title gentle irony, to regain some
tr ug Of the old warmth Of the bat
.eRelds, was NJ. Clemenceau's
xethod of attack, and it has
asrked.
No one will pretend to predict the
exact outcome, but the moment
seems a fitting one for suggesting
tsat the fashionable gloom Of the
l,our is warranted only upon the the
ory that America and the Allies are
utterly lacking in generosity and
have permanently lost their ability
20 act. with wisdom and decision.
The disagreement between England
and France already has been partly
adjusted by the withdrawal Of the
ill-fated Balfour note. Mr.. Bonar
Law deserves all credit for this
generous and courageous act. There
Is no reason for despairing Of a
united policy. Quite TO the con-
trsry. there are excellent grounds
for hoping that in the resumption
Of the conference on January 2 a
real solution Of the debt and repara-
tons problems may be found.
Here in America the Presidents
significant suggestion that the four
power pact might furnish a basis
for a European agreement points
toward an economic conference,
which Washington may well see be-
fore many months have passed. Mr.
Harding never has been an isola-
zionist. His entire record as Presi-
dent gives consistent evidence Of
his will toward international co
operation. He acted swiftly and
with great constructive ability in
respect TO the Pacific when the mind
Of the country and the Senate were
ready for action. His late mes
sage is unmistakable proof that he
stands ready for similar leadership
in Europe when the hour is ripe.
Toward this resumption Of
Americas will to understand and
help NJ. Clemenceau has contrib
uted a great example and speech
quick with sincerity and truth. Be
fore such a figure Of a man VINO can
be petty? WHO can remember old
political quarrels when this old
friend calls in distress? NJ. Gle
menceau bears back with him to
France the affection Of a whole
people and he leaves in our hearts
a fresh and moving sense Of Amer
ica's great part upon the world
stage, Of which only the prologue
and the opening scenes have been
nnAnI