Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-19
Clemenceau Letter a Puzzle
To Average American Citizen

Georges Clemenceau's letter to Pres
ident Coolidge protesting against
Americas terms for settlement Of the
French war debt was something OF
a. puzzle to the average citizen OF
this country and comment in the press
discloses various impressions of its
purpose and probable effect. Many
observers conclude that the Tiger
wrote chiefly for home consumption,
although his impassioned plea was adj
dressed to the President of the United
States.
1--WE admire Clemenceau for his VI
tality and his spunk,' SAYS the Hart
ford Times independent Democratic).
vet we feel that advancing years
have diminished his discretion. There
is more bitterness and temper than
honest franknesS in his talk. The
Chicago Daily News independently re
marks that "Clemenceau, having fin
ished a philosophical work on human
history, and having drawn the con
clusion that the greatest political and
social virtue is tolerance. might nave
exemplified that admirable gospel In
his tardy contribution to the French
debt question"
The South Bend Tribune dndepend-
ent Republican, is impressed by the
possibility that "he may have what
the psychologists call grandeur com
plex, which has become exaggerated
as the years tell on him. However.
continues the Tribune, 1.-The premier
of France knows an insult when he
sees one If he should call the Tiger
off he would improve feeling on this
side of the water considerably"
* X
"The letter was vigorous and senSa
tional the desperate brief of suf-
fering people" admits the Savannah
Press Uemocratic), with the com
ment. however, that "Clemenceau is
an old man and is entitled to the
charity Of our criticism. This time
there is no smile upon the face of the
Tiger" adds the Press. He harks
| back to the days Of Verdun and the
Marine. He doesn't use the language
of an auditor, hut invokes the pas
sions Of the war premier. These are
not the terms in which this matter
can he settled" The Racine Journal
News Republican, advises that while
there may he justification for a tart
reply, It will he better for us to treat
France as a sick child. petulant he
cause she has been down so low and
her morale has been sadly under
mined"
, "CIemenceau. now "a in other days.
according to the Omaha World Herald
| dndepende ntl, is a spectacle to com
mand the wondering, though not the
| affectionate regard of humanity
| More than any other Frenchman, he
! Is responsible for the postwar diff
| ficulties under which France and the
rest of Europe are so despera tell
! otrupcliDU The war when victory
had crowned il, became to Georges
Clemenceau a war for gold and Loo
and land and peoples. 1t was his un
yielding insistenCe that made the
peace a peace of conquest and indem
nity-that submerged the idealism o.
Wilson and Of America in the Gros:
and wicked materialism of Versailles.
The Birmingham News Gndependen
Democratic) also asserts that hi!
| pretty dramatics carry no force anC
conviction. They are not based or
fairness and Justice. They have :
certain strength and a certain power.
| continues the News, but tina
strength and that power and that ap
peal to the emotions cannot, Of course
alter the determination of the United
States to treat all of the Europea
powers fairly and Justly, without re
gard to whether or not they have elo
quent spokesmen'
The letter is described by the Butt,
Daily Post Republican, as "a tediou
mingling OF whines and threats" AM
the "needlessly provocative tone" i'm
presses the New Orleans Item Gnde
pendent Democratic) as merely ;
| manner OF emphasis uDon the fac