Evening star., 1932-09-04

Gen. March. have had representa-
tions from men whose ability and
patriotism are unqUestioned, that
should stop shipment Of men until this
epidemic of influenza Is under con-
troll" He named doctor Of national
reputation as among those taking this
stand and added: HE tells me you
decline to stop shipments
told the President that when troops
were ordered to ports for embarkation
they were gone over thoroughly by the
medical officers at their camps, and
that every man who showed any symp-
tom of the disease, or who had been
exposed to infection, was left behind.
camp at the port they were again ex-
amined and all suspicious cases culled
out. AS the last thing before they en-
barked they were subjected to a final
examination to winnow out any more
suspects. Despite all this, the epidemic
had broken out on some transports.
Told March a Limerick.
! I dwelt on the psychological effect 1t
would have on a weakening enemy to
learn that American divisions and re-
placements were no longer arriving. and
concluded: "The shipment of troops
should not be stopped for any cause"
President Wilson gaZed out the WIN
dow, his face very sad. He had pr6
gressed far beyond the "too-proud- to-
fight" days and was heart and soul In
winning the war. 1t was force to the
limit" now. But the inevitable sacri-
flee of the lives of all these fine Ameri-
cans distressed him to the soul He
gave a faint sigh and nodded slowly.
Then his eyes twinkled and he said
General. I wonder if you have heard
this limerick" will not attempt to
quote it entirely. but it ended: He
opened the window and in-few-Enza. u
On another occasion, when the Presi-
dent was preparing to go to France
after the Armistice, received letter
from Gen Bliss containing important
information about the coming Peace
Conference, which I thought the Presi-
dent should see Immediately. 1t was
late at night when Bliss dispatch came
in, and called up the White House
and was asked to go over.
Mr.. Wilson met me in the hall near
the front entrance and read the dis
patch. I never saw him In such a
towering rage, and in his comments on
the supposed intentions of certain of
our war associates he showed such a
bined with such vigorous profanity, that
I observed him with the greatest in
terest. He certainly was human.
FIamed with Indignation.
It would be improper for me to re-
cord here my recollection of this con-
versation, and no useful purpose would
be observed by it. But it is an i'm
portant revelation of WOODROW Wilson's
character, and it does serve a useful
purpose to record that he was literal
fame of Indignation against the mo-
tives he feared in this instance.
The day he turned over the Govern
ment to President Harding I had the
duty, as chief of staff, of attending q
meeting in the Presidents room at the
Capitol, where, during the final min
utes of Congress, the President signs
belated bills.
President Wilson appeared in the
doorway, supported by gigantic Negro
servant, He hobbled over to the chair
at his desk with greatest difficulty
Members of the cabinet put bills be-
committees notified him Congress had
completed its business. Statesmen went
up to him and talked in low and
sympathetic tones.
Finally there was a lull, and Wood
row Wilson gazed at the throng in the
room, slowly turning his head from man
to man until he came to me in my
uniform. With the glaze of his suf-
fering eyes and his beak-hke nose he
looked like wounded eagle, glaring at
its tormenters.
AS his eyes rested on me a slight
smile passed over his reSolute features,
and he said family, almost in whis-
per: Hello, General"
Tears sprang to my eyes It was the
last time I ever saw Woodrow Wilson.
Next week: Gen. March's Impressions
of Newton D. Baker,.
Copyright, 1892, by North American News
paper Alliance, Inc, and Gen. Peyton
G. March.