Evening star., 1933-02-12
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

TINE name of william c. Bullitt of
Philadelphia Is in the news OF
the world again. His periodical
l. reappearances have come to be
accepted as a matter of course
He is hardy perennial of international
politics. He is good copy" Reporters
at home and abroad know him as "a
dramatic subject" He IS front page
stuff" But he is mysterious, almost
romantic, personality. The general pub
lie is acquainted with only the high
spots Of his cclcrful career. Even men,
bers of the United States Senate. read
ing of his recent tour of European
capitals ask, who is Bullitt?" No one
appears to be able to provide a COM
plete answer for the popular question.
1t Is known that he was born in the
fashionable Rittenhouse Square section
of Philadelphia January rs, 1891. He
was a son of William Chri tian and
Louisa Gross Horwitz Bullitt and be-
longs by right of origin to the upper
crust" of Quaker City society. He was
graduated from Yale in 1912. With
abundant personal means behind him,
he could choose his own course. He
chose journalism. From 1915 to 1917
he was an associate editor, foreign
correspondent and Washington repre-
sentative of the Philadelphia Public
Ledger. He toured Germany, Austria,
Hungary, Poland. Belgium and "cther
places" during the first months of the
Wcrld War. When the United States
entered the struggle he obtained an ap-
pointment to the Department of State
through Frank L. Polk, relative, then
counselor Of the department, it is said.
Supplied Data for Notes.
Bullitt worked in the Division Of
Western European Affairs in. 1877 and
1918. His special assignment was ito
follow the political situation Of Ger
many and Austria Hungary; to prepare
the confidential reports Of the depart
ment on Germany, Austria and Hun
gary, and also such memoranda on
conditions as the President and the
Secretary and others might call for" p"
The importance of his post OF duty Will
be clear when it is remembered that he
was supplying to President Wilson the
background Data for the series OF notes
which Mr.. Wilson was sending to Kaiser
Wilhelm's government His immediate
chief was Joseph Clark Grew. later
Minister to Denmark and Switzerland
and Ambassador to Turkey and Japan.
Following the armistice he was ordered
| to Paris as member of the American
Commission to Negotiate Peace.
When President Wilson sailed ON the
George Washington, December 4, 1918,
Bullitt was with him. and they had sew
eral conferences during the crossing:
Other travelling companions on board
were Secretary of State Robert Lansing
the veteran diplomatist. Henry White;
the French Ambassador. j. j. Jusserand
and the recently appointed Ambassador
to Great Britain, John w. Davis. The
party reached Brest December 13.
In early February. 1919, Bullitt was
in Bern for few DAYS on official busi-
ness. Returning to Paris, he was COM
missioned, February %, to proceed to
Russia in company with Lincoln Stef-
fens, we'll known Liberal publicist. There
can be no question about the regularity
Of his appointment. He was Govern
ment employe at the time. and was act
ing under orders. 1t was commonly
supposed he was one Of the particular
proteges of Col. Edward M. House, the
Presidents most intimate adviser. and
1t was understood the special mission
to Moscow and st. Petersburg had been