Evening star., 1924-02-25
CHAPTER l.

Woodrow Wilson died as he lived
unexplained and unrerealed. None
not even his intimareS-eVer knew
the mental processes which crystal
lized his decisions on policy or con-
ycrtrd friendships OF a lifetime into
the colducSs OF utter detachment.
Those " ho held Office under him live d
in fear of his disfayor-they re-
pressed their criticisms. Those with
whom he broke were inToluntarily
prcjudiced agaiust hini--thcy exag-
Gerated his defects and minimized his
virtues.
Stern and i42passive yet emotional
calm and patient yet quick tempered
and impulStyc, forgetful OF those VINO
had served him yet devoted to many
who had rendered but minor service
unforsiviuE and fierce in his con-
tempt for some who had dared TO
disagree with him. yet generous with
others even to the extent of appoint
ing them to high office, precise and
busineSs-like and yet upon occasion
illogical without more reason than
intuition itself. scclusirc yet cru
sadcr for the larger purposes OF de-
mocracy-thus might his characteris-
tic contradictions be incoherently
grouped in a series of paradoAes.
Wilson at Close Range.
And even these are not all the at
tributes of the strange personality of
Woodrow Wilson. The author knew
Woodrow Wilson for eighteen years,
stood at close range through the rise
and fall of his eventful career. felt the
throb of his efforts for a better human
ity, watched the Inconsistencies OF pol
icy develop, perceived the boldneSs by
which almost alone he embarked on
major programs. and often took note
OF the eccentricitieS of a personality
perplcAing to all but those who blindink
accepted its leadership.
This chronicle and analysis of the
man whose words during the world
war were broadcast to the four cor
ncrs of the earth, as had happened to
40 other American in history, is not
intended to give aid and comfort
either to those who saw in woodrow
Wilson an empirical opportunist of
boundlcss ambition, arbitrary and
lyrannicsl in the exercise of his
power or those who with partisan
zeal placed the stamp of unqualified
approval on his acts personal and
political, his singular concepts Of
party discipline or international inter-
course.
ReseBts sPitiIcss Publicity"
Tho author essays task Of bis
torical disclosure because in all the
years of his acquaintance with Wood
row Wilson no favor was sought and
none given. No obligation was in
Cured, no political allegiance estab-
tished. Most OF tho time it fell 20
tho authors lot as a newspaper re-
porter to see behind the curtain of
events. It was a scrutiny based upon a
professional labor prompted by the
neyer-ending demands OF present-day
Journalism, a scrutiny resented at
times by Mr. Wilson himself, toler-
evil, but never wholly accepted by
him as the corollary Of that "pitiless
publicity" which in an unguarded
moment of impronptu speech he
coined as a slogan for his first ad-
ministration.
Books no doubt will be written re-
vealing various aspects of Woodrow
Wilson's life hitherto inadequately
outlined: Letters, documents. conver-
sations, passing remarks-these will
serve to chart more accurately the
turbulent course of his extraordinary
career. but there can be no departure
oy those who know the truth from