Evening star., 1922-11-14

overpleased to hear that NJ. Clemenceau
intends to go to America. France knows
that not much good can result from the
trip. and France fears that much evil
may come of 1t.
M Ciemenceau has been all his life a
destructive rather than constructive
power. For years and years. he has
used his cunning. his eloquence. his In
fuence, to overthrow cabinets. No
French statesman, even the most patrt-I
sailed Gambetta, killed Jules Ferry and
undermined Delcasse. He invented Bou-
langer. When in 1907 he took the reins
Of the government into his hands he
called to office Joseph Caillaux, the
most sinister figure Of the third repub-
lie, appointing him minister for finance.
and Gen. Picquart. the most mediocre
officer of the French army, appointing
him minister for war.
Benent I'm Question.
Philippe Miliet. Observation-Disclosures
Is likely or not to exert a beneficial
influence on Franco-American rela-
tions Is a thing which no one can fore
see from this side of the Atlantic. What
is important. however, is that the Ameri-
can public should realize what M. Glenn
enceau represents in the eyes Of most
Frenchmen.
He may have been wrong in thinking
that America would enter into a sort
of permanent alliance with France. His
mistake, however, arose from too great
belief in American idealism. Such an
error certainly deserves to be forgiven
by Americans. / feel sure they will give
the grand old man the friendliest Of
welcomes.
Nine. Maria verone. president Of the
Clemenceau was o. of the great fig
ures of the war. may have made
mistakes-but who has not?-espe-
cially in such a difficult period as
that during which he assumed the
heavy burden of power.
1t Is true the treaty of Versailles
deceived all our hopes, and the peace
caused NJ. Clemenceau to lose great
| part OF the popularity which he had
won during the war.
Is that reason why he should not
be considered the right. man to de-
fend the cause of France in Amer
ica? Personally l think not.
trusting in England and America
whose representatives had pledged
themselves to sign treaty of de-
| IensiVe alliance with France, M.
l Clemenceau agreed to insert in the
| treaty the clauses for which today he
| Is so bitterly reproached.
Calls 1t Most Opportune.
| G: Peirotes, mayor of Strasburg-
l
| opinions Of NJ. Clemenceau, particu-
lariy in regard to the treaty of YER
| sailles. + believe, nevertheless, that
the program traced by the former
! premier cannot but be of the greatest
value to France. which. judging by
| the reports OF political men who have
| visited the United States recently, is
not properly known. NJ Clemenceau's
| journey. which has for it's aim the
po, nting out Of each nations duties
| IN the present crisis. seems to me,
| therefore. to be most opportune in
| the interests OF all countries
Marcelle Tinayne, one of Frances
| leading. woman novelists-I do not
| know NJ. Clemenceau personally. and
! | am sorry for it. First, because he
is one Of the most picturesque fig
| ures of our time-and also one of the
greatest-and, secondly. because l
! could then have given you a more
useful imDression.
Fernand Philippart, mayor of Bor-
deaux-M Clemenceau is great pa
triot; he proved it during the war
In America he will speak for France
and not. as some seem to fear, for
or against the men and parties who
confront each other here. America
generously came to fight beside US to
save liberty theirs as well as our
OWN from the most formidable op-
preston that has ever threatened it.
Pershing did not lag behind La
fayette. Our friends over there must
learn from NJ. Clemenceau's mouth
that their work will not be complete,
nor their debt of gratitude entirely
paid, SO long as Germany has not re-
paired the damages she caused, and
so long as France has no guarantee
against further aggression by her
turbulent and ambitious neighbor.
The peace of Europe and the tran
quillity of the world depend on these
two conditions. If guilty Germany
be not compelled to make a great
effort for reparation, the germs of
iniquity will subsist in the world.
from which fresh wars are bound to
spring.
Copyright, n A. " A. and Press Publishing
| Company, 1922.