We all have heard of the "Big Four" (Mr. Lloyd George, M. Clemenceau, Mr. Wilson, and Signor Orlando) at work at the Peace Conference, but it has been left for Mr. Paul Mantoux, who acted as interpreter to the Inter-Allied Conferences and to the Supreme War Council, to give us an intimate sketch of these shavers of the world's destinies in their intervals of leisure.
The occasion of these reminisconces was a luncheon given by the Foreign Press Association, at which Mr, Mantoux was the guest. In describing the room where the "Big Four" met he told his hearers that Mr. Lloyd George sat in a large, comfortable armchair by the fireside; beside him sat M. Clemenceau in another armchair, and President Wilson, with Signor Orlando, very eager to know everything that was going on, close by. The conversation was very informal and generally very friendly. Sometimes an unknown place or locality, say, Jerusalem or Constantinople—(lauighter)—would be mentioned. Then a large map was brought in, an: these great men might be seen kneeling on the floor.
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They had their moments of relaxation, while waiting for a document perhaps, and then they would begin telling stories. Prosident Wilson was especially "great" at the short story. He told one of a Chinese and the moon. A Chinese, drawing water out of a well one day, saw at the bottom a reflexion of the moon. Said he to himself: This is every serious indeed. The moon has fallen into the well, and now it is my duty to try to pick it out." He let down his bucket and pulled as hard as he could; so hard did he pull that he fell on his back, and then saw the moon in the Said he to himself: "Well, is good work." (Laughter).
That was typical of the short stories President Wilson would tell between two grave discussions. Once Mr. Lloyd George asked M. Cle: menceau his opinion as to who were the great orators in the French Chamber. In M. Clemenceau's opinion the greatest living French orator was M. Viviani. The two orators who, in his belief, stood first, though separated by a long period, were Gambetta and Jaurés.
'M. Cuemenceau's Grey Guoves.
People had remarked that M Clemenceau invariably wore grey gloves when attending the meetings at the Quai d'Orsay, and never removed them. The ¢x-planation; said Mr. Mantoux, was avery simple one and had been given him by M. Clemenceau himself The skin of his hands was so dry that it cracked in a very uncomfortable manner. It wus necessary, therefore, to keep the hands constantly moist with oil or some other unguent. The gloves
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.