Gilpin observer., 1914-04-02
WHAT EUROPE THINKS
OF PRESIDENT WILSON

Out of the complex impressions re
garding politics, finance, commerce
and what-nCt, with which the Ameri-
can business man finds himself pos
capitals, one impression stands forth
in the definite form of fact. Brief
ly, it is this
President Wilson has the respect
and the admiration of the men of
affairs of England and the contin-
ent to IA degree perhaps unprecedent-
ed in the history of American eXecu-
tives.
Not in several decades, it is safe
10 say, has a president of the I'm
tied States, at so early stage in
his administration, won such repu-
tation in international circles for
leadership and craftsmanship.
No matter what the political faith
of the observer, and no matter what
personal opinions he may have as to
Mr.. Wilson, he faces everywhere on
the eastern. side of the Atlantic the
fact that the present head of the
American government is regarded
with an extraordinary esteem.
1t is natural of course, for foreign
ers to credit to the president of the
United States any administrative or
legislative achievements of national
or international Importance, whether
they be productive of good or evil.
But never before, it is evident, have
the leaders of politics, finance and
industry abroad been so ready to ac-
cept the work of new national ad-
ninistration in the United States as
representative of the ideas and the
forcefulness of one man.
What is the reason? Is this view
of Mr.. Wilson due to the enactment
of new tariff law, to the creation
of new currency system, to his at
tude toward Mexico, to his stand on
the Panama canal tolls question?
1t is true, undoubtedly, that the
legislative achievements of the Will
son administration have inspired ad-
nliration abroad. 1t is true, at the
same time, that Mr.. Wilson's Mexi-
can policy has not added measurab-
ly as yet to his reputation, for the
results of this policy are yet to be
seen. 1t is true, of course, that his
insistence on the repeal of the canal
tolls exemption clause has brought
acclaim from England.
But it really is not what Mr.. Will
son has done or what he has not
done which have been the chief fac
tors in arousing this admiration.
Rather, it is that these have reveal
ell the ideas and purposes of the man
ideals and purposes which could
call forth, especially from tie per-
spective afforded the nations on this
side of the Atlantic, nothing but ad-
Iniration.
OF what usefulness is this regard?
To the practical vision of the Ameri-
can business man, its usefulness is
immeasurable. 1t is useful because
il makes for confidence among bust
things. 1t is useful at this period
%. nervousness. at home and abroad,
as to the future of American bust
ness because it is serving to allay
aIat nervousness.
According to tie viewpoint of men
OF affairs i'll the great centres of ac-
tivity in England and on the contin-
ent-men with whom the writer of
tbs article has talked-nothing, ac-
cording to these. could be more for
tunate, in this era of tremendous
Business adjustment in the United
States, than for American business
men to have at the head of their
government man whose ideals and
purposes, gradually finding expires.
son in this adjustment. should call
forth such respect and admiration
from the people of those nations with
which the United States has mani
fold and close relations. - Financial
america.