A GREAT PATRIOT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 127, 25 November 1929, Page 8

A GREAT PATRIOT

Only a few weeks ago M. Clemenceau's doctor found him" showing signs of exhaustion, and discovered that this indomitable octogenarian had been taking lessons from a physical culture instructor. It was not long before that a further proof of the activity of the veteran French statesman was afforded in the report that the fall of the Briand Government came after M. Briand's critics had been in consultation with Glemenceau. ..•: To. the last M. Clemenceau lived his life to the full. He saw his end approaching, but he refused to be cheated of enjoyment in his last hours, and he continued his course—reading the classics, writing upon them, taking his exercise, and ever keeping a vigilant eye on those who guided the policy of his loved France. His life was a glorious example of devoted and passionate patriotism. In the early war years, in the Senate and in his own paper "L'Homme Libre," he fought incompetency and weakening morale so fiercely that he was always at grips with the Censor. "L'Homme Libre" was suppressed, but it appeared two days later as "L'Homme Enchaine," and only the name was changed. The attack on weakness in high places !was continued with unremitting steadfastness. When it became evident, ; after three years, that the morale of France was seriously weakened, M. Poincare had no course open to him but to send for the impulsive Frenchmen who personified the spirit of "No surrender."

His task a.s Prime Minister and Minister of War would have daunted a young man of spirit. At the Front the morale was not good, and behind there were weak hands and feeble knees. M. Clemenceau, aged 76, formed a Victory Cabinet and resolutely set himself to fire the whole nation with the spirit of victory. He put a sudden stop to talk' of compromise or a patched peace, and he was as resolute as ever when it appeared that a peace not dishonourable to the Allies could have been secured. Nothing short of complete victory was to be accepted. His spirit triumphed.: Moral force, supported by material efficiency, won the war.

Yet a harder task remained for the French statesman. In the Peace Conference he had Allies to consider. President Wilson's Fourteen Points remained to be reckoned with. The man who had been a fighter must become a diplomat. In the end M. Clemenceau won the second victory. Everything he desired for France he secured. His was the dominating influence at the Peace Conference. Mn Lansing, who was President Wilson's colleague at the Conference, has told how the American idealist was beaten by the French patriot. M. Clemenceau believed that the great Powers who had won the war should make the peace, and though he had to admit the lesser Powers to the plenary sessions, he made sure that those sessions should alter nothing and achieve nothing.

Having finished a forceful address, he either sank back panting into his great golden chair, or, if he desired to check further debate, he would state the resolution or decision agreed upon by the Council of Ten before the session, and without a moment's delay exclaim: "Adopte." Ho wouH then before anyone could interrupt, take up the next item on the agenda, or else add: "Ajourne."

In the Council of Ten, or the Council of Four, he adopted other methods. He had studied the temperaments of his colleagues, and how best to deal with them.

"With President Wilson he was, at least in the Council of Ten, politely deferential, but never subservientwith Mr. Lloyd George he showed his wit and sometimes his sarcasm; -with the Italians he was cynical and caustic and not infrequently vehement; ana with the Japanese indifferent or patiently tolerant.

Through it all he knew what he wanted for France, and when he gave way on any point it was because he deemed that the best way of assuring success in something which he considered more vital. The Allies won the war, but M. Clemenceau won the Peace. He did not remain in office to see that Peace worked out; but lie achieved his great purpose. His-

torians of the future may decide that his dominating influence was responsible for mistakes which had afterwards to be rectified at great cost; but they will never deny the vigour and determination of the leader, or the patriotism which inspired his every act.