THE LONG REST

Southland Times, Issue 20940, 25 November 1929, Page 7

THE LONG REST

Clemenceau Dies CLOSE OF GREAT CAREER iTHE MAN WHO SAVED FRANCE (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) London, Nov. 24 The death is announced of M. Clemenceau, who was prostrated by a severe attack of colic two days agG :

Tremendous crowds visited Clemenceau’s house in the Rue Franklin, Paris, to tender silent homage to the satesman who, above all others, personified La Patrie’s unconquerable spirit. Doctors came and went, but every time shook their heads mournfully, saying: “It is hopeless, he cannot live.” The old “Tiger” seldom spoke all day long, but endured intense pain without complaint, though suppressed groans were occasionally heard. The doctors once asked if he felt pain. When Clemenceau replied: “Yes, dreadfully,” morphia was administered to relieve his suffering and he sank into a coma. Prior to his death, great French personages, representatives of many foreign States,called at the house and left cards, also Colonel Alfred Dreyfus, who, when almost friendless durifig the celebrated Frenchwide upheaval, found Clemenceau suddenly championing his innocence. The Last Moments. During a lucid interval, M. Clemenceau characteristically said he did not want women round his deathbed. He even asked that his sister Treoneste, who nursed him through his illness, should not be allowed to be present during his last moments. Nevertheless, he murmured when he saw her kneeling at the bedside in tears, “I’m not going to prevent you praying for me,” and there was no trace of sarcasm in his voice, only tenderness and respect for one so devoted. This afternoon a priest, Monsigneur de Lavatte, who, in spite of Clemenceau’s anti-clericalism, is an old friend, called. He said afterwards I gave my blessing through the half opened door. I think his having his sister with him shows that although he has not retracted his Radical views yet his sentiments are not opposed to religion. His anticlericalism is overlooked in contemplation of a great Frenchman. His immense services excuse many things.”

M. Boncour called, bearing in a tiny satchel, earth taken from the grave of Joan of Arc for burial in Clemenceau’s grave. Clemenceau finished a book, replying to critics, only last Thursday. He laid down his pen in relief, and was seized five hours later by abdominal pains which began his last illness. He began his book full of anger, but as he progressed calmed down and toned down passages he had written, saying that although he differed, he had no enmity, but only wished to make his own position clear. It-will be a remarkable book, written at a great age on the verge of the grave.

M. Georges Clemenceau was born in September, 1841, at Mouilleron, Vendee. He studied medicine in Paris, and during the, last years of the Empire was several times imprisoned, but eventually got away to America where he earned his living by teaching French and married an American girl by whom he had three children. The fall of the Empire brought him back to Paris where he became Mayor of Montmartre. In the Chamber he voted against the Peace of Frankfurt (.with Germany). Since he overthrew the Ferry Ministry in 1885, he has been known as the "Tiger,” and the “Cabinet-breaker.” In the days of Boulangism, he opposed the general, but afterwards for a time he withdrew from public life, a divorce suit and attacks in connection with the Panama Canal scandals having adverseis’ affected his standing. It was only when the conflict with the church began that he emerged from his obscurity. He was a strong supporter of the “Bloc” and issued a paper with that title, later changed to “L’Aurore.” In the Senate, the former Radical became more and more Nationalistic, especially in the days of Edward VII. whose personal friend-

ship he enjoyed. When in March, 1906, the Rouvier Government fell in connection ■with the clerical question, Clemenceau entered the Sarrien Cabinet as Minister of the Interior. His position grew steadily stronger, and on October 12, 1906, he succeeded Sarrien as Premier. In addition to the enforcement of the separation of church and State, and the introduction of social reforms such as old age insurance, he devoted much attention to the cultivation of good relations with England. On July 20, 1909, his Government fell, as the Chamber refused to endorse his defence of Picard, Minister of Marine, who had been violently attacked by Delcasse. He employed his leisure in a visit to South America. At the Presidential election in 1912, he opposed the candidature of Poincare, but later, thanks to his defence of the three years’ army service, their relations became less hostile. He had in the meantime started the paper “L’Homme Libre,” in which to attack Poincare, and when during the war the Government imposed a strict censorship, ho re-christened it “L’Homme Enchainee” and kept up a stream of criticism of the conduct of the war. Clemenceau combated every indication of wavering in the struggle and above all attacked Poincare. It must therefore have been an act of desperation on the latter’s part when on the fall of Painleve in November, 1917, he asked his old adversary to form a Government. Clemenceau accepted the task in the role of jusqu ’auboutist, and suppressed with the utmost vigour any movements towards peace. He had Caillaux indicted and in January, 1918, arrested on a charge of high treason, for which 8010 and the “Bonnet Rouge” gang were also tried, 8010 being executed. His stern determination was successful, despite defeats and disappointments, in keeping alive the warBpirit until victory was within his grasp/ As one of the “Big Four” and President of the Supreme Council, he played a predominant part in dictating the conditions of the Treaties of Versailles, St. Germain and Neuilly. At these conferences he sat impassively so long as France’s interests were not involved. Then he would intervene briefly and decisively, gaining a reputation by throwing over the more extreme proposals of his Ministers. His attitude was determined by his conviction that one could not rust Germany, but must dictate to her. He was sceptical about the League of Nations and did pot regard himself as bound by Wilson’s “Fourteen Points.” His chief aim was to safeguard his country and to remedy the inequality existing between the power and resources of Germany and those of France. His failure to keep Parliament informed as to the course of the negotiations till the terms were settled aroused strong protests. In December, 1925, he published a study of the life qf Demosthenes, in which he drew parallels with recent history. It was not enough, he declared, for a people to have shown the finest courage in war. They must continue the effort in peace which demanded heroism of the highest kind since it implied a succession of inglorious activities. At the Ferm du Colombier where his father lies, he had prepared his last resting place pnd had even got his coffin ready.