The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-02

first as ambas-
sador to Russia and then as am
bassador to France. only these
times aren't normal. and particu-
iarly weren't so during Bills stay
In Moscow, and not In Paris. either.
after the Man occupation started.
Bill probably would have enjoyed
Petersburg back In the czarist era,
because, even though the govern
ment WIS bad. 1t had plenty Of So
cial friIls and he's strongly addict
ed to 'em. F. D. might have known
In advance. though. that associa-
ton with q communistic crowd
would be distasteful to him. for
he's highly cultivated; not at all
the kind Of chap to have anything
In common with a lot Of prole-
tariat.
Paris was all right when he got
himself transferred thither. but Of
course he couldn't stand Vichy.
Home again. for a while, he's
commanded considerable promi-
nence as one Of the White Houses
principal advisers. The drawback
has been. however. that the admin
istration's unofficial councillors are
supposed to be darned confidential.
and Bill hasn't got passion for
anonymity" He obviously derived
q certain kick from busting. prac-
tically at will. In and out Of the
private presidential office, but be-
ing merely looked at is insufficient
for him; he has things to say also,
He'll Be Conspicuous
His mission to Libya, the Nile
valley maybe Palestine. and over
the Red sea and Persian gulf, In
airplanes, naturally won't be a So
ciety affair, but it'll be conspicu-
Gus. It's likely to involve risks. too,
which will Just add to the stunts
publicity. Bills nerve Is good. TAX
ing chances doesn't scare him.
nrst met him as a fellow news
correspondent with the Ford Peace
expedition.
He was perhaps the most out
standing specimen I ever saw Of a
member of zone Of the first fami-
lies" Of Observation-Disclosures in
his case. His was a very wealthy
family, likewise. He wasn't exact
ly naughty, but he was intensely
aristocratic.
Bills a smart individual. He
fairly oozes academic education.
On top Of that he's Travelled every
where and has the inherent intelli-
gence to have assimilated all the
observation and experience that his
opportunities have brought him in
contact with. He's been so privi-
legged that he hasn't much COM
prehension Of ordinary human be-
ings' problems. but he isn't so de-
tached that he is unsympathetic
with 'em. in theory. or he couldn't
be as influential as he Is with q
New Deal president.
AS an observer in the Near East
it's safe betting that he'll be a
dandy.
A first-rate reporter, he under
stands excellently how to sop up
information. which is what his as
signment is. And he has back
ground. from long sojourns In the
belligerent countries. With the anti
Axis powers needs he already is
pretty familiar. and also with the
Axis possible weaknesses. that itn
be desirable for the democracies to
take especial jabs at.
President Roosevelt. asked II
Bill won't try to do some observing
In French northwest Africa as well
as in the Near East. replied that
that wouldn't be practicable. since
there's no way Of getting from one
to the other without being shot at.
Personally don't believe the guys
afraid Of being shot at.
Plenty Of Advice
The British and the free French
and such Near Eastern cooper
alive natives as there may be on
the scene can count on being lib
erally advised by him. though. The