Poet

Paul Claudel, poet of high consequence, Roman Catholic mystic, French Ambassador to the U. S., (TIME, March 21), sailed for France last week on the S. S. Paris, to attend the marriage of his daughter, Marie, to M. Christian Vonam, rising diplomatist.

Said Paul Claudel, last week, when newsgatherers asked if he would like to see France "liquidate" her debt to the U. S. by payment in wine:

"Ah, that would be magnificent! Won't all your papers work for this at once? Not only would it be of benefit to France, but it would be a relaxation for America."

Asked about the influence on his poetry of his sojourn in Boston (1894)--as a young vice consul, he said:

"It was not exactly a good influence. You see, I was very young and homesick and I wrote very sad things. Boston was a very vibrant city then; it had its influence upon me naturally."

Ambassador Claudel added:

"I came to America direct from Japan, where I was Ambassador, and America is so important a post that I do not feel I should embark upon the tasks of the embassy until I return to Paris and receive instructions."