But one of the most popular figures among the delegates was Signor Orlando, whose eloquence and imagination gave him advantages which would have been increased a hundredfold if he might have employed his native language in the conclave.  For he certainly displayed resourcefulness, humor, a historic sense, and the gift of molding the wills of men.  But he was greatly hampered.  Some of his countrymen alleged that Baron Sonnino was his evil genius.  One of the many sayings attributed to him during the Conference turned upon the quarrels of some of the smaller peoples among themselves.  “They are,” the Premier said, “like a lot of hens being held by the feet and carried to market.  Although all doomed to the same fate, they contrive to fight one another while awaiting it.”

After the fall of Orlando’s Cabinet, M. Tittoni repaired to Paris as Italy’s chief delegate.  His reputation as one of Europe’s principal statesmen was already firmly established; he had spent several years in Paris as Ambassador, and he and the late Di San Giuliano and Giolitti were the men who broke with the Central Empires when these were about to precipitate the World War.  In French nationalist circles Signor Tittoni had long been under a cloud, as the man of pro-German leanings.  The suspicion—­for it was nothing more—­was unfounded.  On the contrary, M. Tittoni is known to have gone with the Allies to the utmost length consistent with his sense of duty to his own country.  To my knowledge he once gave advice which his Italian colleagues and political friends and adversaries now bitterly regret was disregarded.  The nature of that counsel will one day be disclosed....

Of Japan’s delegates, the Marquis Saionji and Baron Makino, little need be said, seeing that their qualifications for their task were demonstrated by the results.  Mainly to statesmanship and skilful maneuvering Japan is indebted for her success at the Paris Conference, where her cause was referred by Mr. Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau to Mr. Wilson to deal with.  The behavior of her representatives was an illuminating object-lesson in the worth of psychological tactics in practical politics.  They hardly ever appeared in the footlights, remained constantly silent and observant, and were almost ignored by the press.  But they kept their eyes fixed on the goal.  Their program was simple.  Amid the flitting shadows of political events they marched together with the Allies, until these disagreed among themselves, and then they voted with Great Britain and the United States.  Occasionally they went farther and proposed measures for the lesser states which Britain framed, but desired to second rather than propose.  Japan, at the Conference, was a stanch collaborator of the two English-speaking principals until her own opportunity came, and then she threw all her hoarded energies into her cause, and by her firm resolve dispelled any opposition that Mr. Wilson may have intended to offer.  One of the most striking