The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-30
CLOUDS OF WAR THIcKEN

OEOOGS OF WAX F7lONEN
NJ Poincare and left our country
on the morning of July 16, 1914.
Rocked Nghtly between the blue skies
and the blue waters, in that isolation
which, for a man in public office, is
the reward of action, the president OF
the French republic and sat chatting
with each other. We were journeying,
with heads held high and clean OF
heart. toward the strengthening of our
alliance with Russia, toward the estab-
lishment of friendly relations with 9th
er lands, toward that fusion of general
sympathies wherein the privileged
friendship caused by the existence of
an alliance does not preclude addi-
tional knitting together of thoughts
and interests. Nor does that friendship
destroy independence, since, otherwise,
an alliance would degenerate into SER
vitude. NJ. Poincare had informed me,
in my capacity of responsible head OF
the government, of the speech which
he was to make at the imperial BAN
quet, and l had asked to have the
speech to be made by the car commu-
nicated to me, which request had been
granted. These two speeches both paid
honor, in strong and clear words, to
peace.
What were we going to say to the
car, to the Russian government? OF
course, we were going to talk about
the state of Europe, about the inter
ests of the alliance between our two
countries. We also intended (nor did
NJ. Poineare and | omit this) to ask
for the establishment of more cordial
relations between Russia and Sweden
the latter having complained about iso
lated acts by a Russian naval attache
Finally, we were going to give express
sion to English grievances with regard
to the actions of certain Russian con
suls. An alliance requires that a Ger
tain degree of consideration, compati
bic with its maintenance, be shown tC
other nations.
We talked of these subjects and o.
Others also, outside the province of oul
duties, drawing often upon our profes
sional and political memories for the
material of our friendly conversations
When we arrived in the roadsteaC
of Cronstadt on Monday, July 20, at
o'clock in the afternoon, murderou:
heat was pouring from the heavens
upon the gorgeous spectacle before us
a heat of such intensity that, far VI
there in the north of Europe, l almos
yearned to exchange it for the heat o
my beloved Africa. Gar Nicholas, al
dapper as a cavalry officer, came fortl
to greet us. and we departed togethe
with his suite of dignitaries and min
listers. The touching modesty of thu
car, as excessive as his timidity, hi
contempt for the magnificence of pal
9ces. his liking for a quiet life, wer
clearly shown by his attitude and hi
remarks, expressed in the pures
French. He upheld the alliance wit
France because of his political hor
'esty, to be sure, but also because of
kind Of religious mysticism, whic,
caused him to look upon it as a legac
from his beloved father. Never wa
ne insensible to the influence of thos
Two considerations. This l was I
earn later, in 1916, at the general heaC
quarters of his army, wheA an imperie
sign from him, for which | asked in tn
course of a mission on which l ha
been sent, sufficed for me to obtai
what France desired.
Conversation With the Gar
What can l say of our conversations
The head of the French republic spok
alone for almost an hour with the cza
as was proper. l. too. conversed wit
he car; also, naturally, with the pr
nier, and, above all, with NJ. SaZonof
We were in agreement as other mil
isters had been before me. in 1912, an
at all times. regarding the necessit
or maintaining the alliance in dignit
and peace. Also-as | have note
lbove-we transmitted the grievance
Of England and Sweden. All the a
engagements of difficulties requested /
ls were granted.
Shall l speak of the celebration
reviews, parades, of the reception
The empress, so magnificent in h,
beauty, with her blue eyes as pierciI
IS sapphire? How long ago 1t all il
The soil of Russia, shroud that is {
ways frozen, hides the horrors of hec
ombs, to escape from which Meth
rank, age nor sex availed. The el
oeror William in August, 1914, CALI
or solidarity among the regicides! H
government betrayed the expenses
Lenine's journey to Russia!
And now we are drawing close
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