The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-10
M. CLEMENCEAU AND
MIR. COOLIDGE
BY Lowell NIelIett :

One misty morning in June, 1918 In barn.
yard not far from the River Marine, a short dumpy
figure Of man might have been seen--in fact was
seen by the present writer-skirting the edges OF
steaming manure pile to enter the modest French
farm house. He was clothed, as far as could be
seen in dilapidated soft felt hat, brim turned
down, spattered raincoat and heavy soled stubby
shoes that didn't seem to mind the mud.
The landed peasant who owned the place. you
might have said, had you not seen his face 1t was
a face known to all France and familiar by reason
of the newspapers, to all those about the barnyard
These we're Americans, officers and men of the Sec
ond Division, A. E. F. The sight electrified them
for it was the face of 1.-THE Tiger" the premier of
France-Clemenceau.
WHY had he come? It was soon known to the
commanding general and the officers he gathered
about him. Cemenceau had dropped inf hard
drive in the early morning from Paris be called
dropping into thank the American Army and, in
particular, the Second Division, for saving Paris
Warmly but simply. he spoke the gratitude of
France giving the worn and weary division full and
complete credit for stopping the German crown
princes march the countrys loved capital. Then
he shook hands ell around spashed across the barn
yard to his car and departed leaving the splendid
significance of his message to sink in upon the sur
prised American troopers at their leisure.
That was Clemenceau That, indeed was Glenn
enceau all over.
He left to others to debate who stopped the Ger
mans and who won the war. His mind held doubt
at that moment and he was accustomed to obey his
impulses. Thank God for the Americans, his heart
said; no, thank the Americans themselves, said his
eccentric intellect And he was out of his house in
the early dawn and on his way through the mud to
do it.
man of impulses, impulses which he never
doubts. &t
Yesterday he cabled to our cool and collected
President his views the proposed terms of the
French war debt settlements. France is not for
sale even to her friends" was his astounding chal-
Ienge to Mr. Coolidge-or might. better be put
his challenge to the astounded Mr.. Coolidge You
be Mr.. Coolidge was astounded, for never
in New England did he meet with Clemenceau;
perhaps, never even with the Cemenceau point of
view
THE President is said to take the position that
the debt settlement is closed issue" is the Prea
dents indirect reply.
Somewhere between that stormy defamation of
the hot hearted French hero and the cool response
Of our President there must lie point of reason
Certainly, France is not for SALE as Clemenceau
says Most certainly we are not seeking to buy. But
equally certain it is that the debt settlement is not
a closed issue. If calling it closed and endeavoring
to make it so costs in good will, to say
nothing of good money, than keeping 1t open until
the point of is reached the American people
are not ready to call it closed.
Clemenceau spoke his feelings honestly that
day in June 1918-even IT, with all respect for the
sturdy Second Division, he may have exaggerated
things slightly. He did the same. In ais cabegram
to Coolidge. Honest feeling, honest exaggeration
But he has given insight into the heart of
France and would do well not to be too certain
that 1t is time to close the issue.