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Foreign News
December 7, 1920
The Evening Herald
Klamath Falls, Klamath County, Oregon
What is this article about?
Emir Feisal's charming and caustic wit during the Paris Peace Conference, including sharp retorts on modern statesmen, French Crusades-based claims in Syria, and the British government as a donkey-led caravan. (Source: Asia Magazine.)
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Full Text
FEISAL HAS CAUSTIC TONGUE
Arabian Potentate's Comments on European Men and Measures Interesting in the Extreme.
The oriental tact and personal charm of Emir Feisal did much to win friends for the Arabian cause in Paris. No one ever came away from him in an angry mood. The emir was very witty and many stories are told of his clever retorts to acquaintances in Paris. On one occasion a correspondent asked him to give his opinion of modern statesmen as a result of his acquaintance with them at the peace conference. He replied, "They are like modern paintings. They should be hung in a gallery and be viewed from a distance." Another time at a meeting of the council of ten, M. Pichon referred to the claims of France in Syria, which he said were based on the Crusades. Emir Feisal turned toward him and inquired mildly, "I am not a great student of history, but would you kindly tell me which one of us won the Crusades."
Mr. Balfour once tried to find out what Emir Feisal thought of the British government. He succeeded. "It reminds me of a caravan in the desert. You see no impressive string of dromedaries in the distance trekking single file across the shifting sands. When you first overtake them, you observe that the last camel is tied to the tail of the next in line. When you reach the head of the column, you find that a little donkey is leading the whole string." - Asia Magazine.
Arabian Potentate's Comments on European Men and Measures Interesting in the Extreme.
The oriental tact and personal charm of Emir Feisal did much to win friends for the Arabian cause in Paris. No one ever came away from him in an angry mood. The emir was very witty and many stories are told of his clever retorts to acquaintances in Paris. On one occasion a correspondent asked him to give his opinion of modern statesmen as a result of his acquaintance with them at the peace conference. He replied, "They are like modern paintings. They should be hung in a gallery and be viewed from a distance." Another time at a meeting of the council of ten, M. Pichon referred to the claims of France in Syria, which he said were based on the Crusades. Emir Feisal turned toward him and inquired mildly, "I am not a great student of history, but would you kindly tell me which one of us won the Crusades."
Mr. Balfour once tried to find out what Emir Feisal thought of the British government. He succeeded. "It reminds me of a caravan in the desert. You see no impressive string of dromedaries in the distance trekking single file across the shifting sands. When you first overtake them, you observe that the last camel is tied to the tail of the next in line. When you reach the head of the column, you find that a little donkey is leading the whole string." - Asia Magazine.
What sub-type of article is it?
Diplomatic
What keywords are associated?
Emir Feisal
Paris Peace Conference
Witty Retorts
European Statesmen
Syria Claims
British Government
What entities or persons were involved?
Emir Feisal
M. Pichon
Mr. Balfour
Where did it happen?
Paris
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Paris
Key Persons
Emir Feisal
M. Pichon
Mr. Balfour
Event Details
Emir Feisal made witty comments during the Paris Peace Conference, including comparing modern statesmen to modern paintings to be viewed from a distance, questioning M. Pichon on who won the Crusades in relation to French claims in Syria, and likening the British government to a caravan led by a little donkey.