National Affairs: Se habla Ingl

Big, dark, gloomy Luis Muñoz Marin, president of Puerto Rico’s Senate, paid a call at the White House, was ushered into the anteroom of Franklin Roosevelt’s military aide, Alabama-born Edwin (“Pa”) Watson.

Watson jumped up, hurried across the room with hand outstretched. Said he, in flawless French: “I do hope the Senator speaks French, because the President speaks little Spanish.”

Said Georgetown University-educated Luis Muñoz Marin, a onetime contributor to the Nation, American Mercury, Baltimore Sun: “What the hell! I don’t speak very good French, either. Will English do?”