Evening star., 1922-05-01
WAR ON JUSSERAND
=: IS NOW REVEALED
Opponents in France Have
Made Ambassadors Work
Here DoubIy Difficult.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Premier Poincare's decision to
change ambassadors at Washington is
regarded as significant 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 oust NJ. Jusse-
rand, which has been going on for the
last four years, is an interesting story.
The French ambassador has not done
some Of the things which in his tudg-
ment would hurt Franco-American
relations. He has not liked the idea
Of propaganda, because he knew
Americans didn't like that method OF
conducting governmental relations.
The criticism of M. Jusserand for NOT
doing certain things that French poll
ticians believed should be done IN
America has had much to do with the
decision to change ambassadors. H..
France Just Waking Up.
France is Just waking up to the
lea are full of Misunderstanding.
She Is blaming an ambassador at
Washington for it. The truth is
France has changed administrations
so 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 consls-
tency in the delegation she sent here.
First, Premier BRAND was in charge.
He left Rene Viviani, who. in turn,
took a casual interest in what was
going on, and made preparations 10
sail for home the day he was MAGE
head Of the delegation. Finally, M.
Sarraut was put in charge win ais.
astrous results. He knew very little
of what had been going on and knew
much less how to deal with American
officials.
turmoil in France. The BRAND min,
istry was overthrown: M Jusserana
thing from the beginning. He no
sooner explains the French viewpoint
of omething than ministry changes
and he must often make new pres
entation of a case.
Jusserand Greatly Admired Here.
Under the circumstances the ability
of NJ Jusserand has been source OF
much admiration in official Washing
ton. For years he has maintained ex-
cellent relations with every American
administrations. II.
President Roosevelt, was an intimate
friend of President Taft and was on
confidential terms with President
Wilson. Since the Harding admins
tration began he has had access to
Secretary Hughes and President
of personal intimacy with the gov
At no time would NJ. Jusserand en-
ploy the tactics Of Count Won Bern
storff, the German ambassador. in
cultivating Washington correspond
ents and attempting to keep In close
touch with the editors of American
newspapers. NJ. 'Jusserand maintain
ed a dignified course throughout and
was much respected for it. When the
war was over and certain French In
f1uences insisted on the maintenance
of propaganda IN IT, America ts ;dss M; Jus5 and
pleaded against 1t. Finally the
French government sent Marcel
Knecht, who, in the guise of repre-
senting French newspapers; made it
his business to visit newspaper offices
in an attempt to get editorials writ
point. The harm done by the Knecht
adventure has yet to be repaired and
will take the new ambassador some
time to erase.
Dean Of Diplomatic Corps.
Jules Jusserand is the dean of the
diplomatic corps. He has served at
Washington longer than the ambas-
sador of any other country. His go
ing will be regretted, though 1t Is
realized that he is anxious to he re-
lieved 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. M.
Jusserand was at first criticized Sc
verely in France for expressing the
belief in his cablegram 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 were even closer to the politi-
cal 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
ambassadors to their home govern
ments.
Another occasion for criticism was
the fact that M. Jusserand did not
lobby In the American Senate. Ger
tain French interests believed he
should have conducted negotiations
with Senator Lodge, the republican
leader. when the Versailles treaty
was under consideration. M. Jus