Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-05-07

is doing in his White House seclu-
sion these days, comments the Wash
ington correspondent Of the Chris
tian Science Monitor. who then goes
on to say:
Since congress adjourned he has
denied himself to practically all ex-
cept invited callers, spending most
of the time in his private study in
the White House proper, and seldom
going to his executive offices. On
Tuesdays at 10 o'clock he sees the
Washington newspaper correspond
ents in his Office, but almost all other
callers who are seen at all go to the
White House. Cabinet meetings are
held in the presidents study instead
of in the cabinet room. Mr.. Tumulty.
his private secretary, does not see
the president for days at time.
The fact is that Mr.. Wilson is m
sisting that his subordinates dispose
of all matters that do not impera-
lively come to him, so he can be free
to study and deal with international
questions unhindered by the hun
dreds of relatively petty annoyances
that otherwise would 60 over his
desk. The international questions,
however, he personally is handling,
with such aid as he solicits from his
cabinet advisers and Counsellor Lam
sing Of the state department. To
make sure that American neutrality
is kept intact, at least consistent
with his view of neutrality and not
one thing today and another thing
tomorrow, the president is person
ally writing the notes that have to
be sent from time to time to the
belligerent governments.
President Not Seeking Glory.
1t has been said in some quarters
uncomplimentarily, that President
Wilson is pullinghis wires to become
the chief arbiter in the settlement
of the European war. Desirable as a
termination of the war may be, this
is an ungenerous Interpretation of
the presidents actions. It is certain
that he desires peace in Europe and
that he will do everything in his
power to bring it about when the
proper time comes. 1t is also GER
tain that he is devoting much of biz
time to a thorough study Of interna-
tional law and presidents and to an
analysis of European political prob
lens with view to having an in
telligent grasp of the situation IL he
should ever be invited to act. But
that he is campaigning for election
to the role Of peacemaker is most i'm
probable.
1t is safe to assume that Mr.. Viii
sons seclusion has much broader
than this. Instead Of
seeking personal glory for aiding in
the termination of the European war.
1t is much more likely that he is
preparing his government for the
important part it must take as
world power in the international con.
ferences that must almost inevitably
follow the war looking toward per.
manent international peace.
Prominent American statesmen are
being convinced by the events in Eu-
rope that nations will realize now
more than ever before the futility of
war and will see the reasonableness
of an international agreement to
minimize the likelihood of another
great war. 1t is not unlikely that
President Wilson takes this view.
Few hope that the time for complete
disarmament has arrived. but there
is very strong belief that limita-
ton of ornaments is practicable, and
that still more important, it is prac-
ticable to commit nations mutually
to settle disagreements without re-
sort to arms.
Force Of World Treaty.
Advocates of strong national de-
Tense ScOff at the talk or the world
peace and cite the European scraps
of paper" as proof that treaties are
useless under provocation. 1t is one
thing, however, for nation to disre-
gard a treaty with another nation
and quite another thing for that
nation to disregard a treaty signed
by all the world powers. A promis-
sorry note given by one individual
may become worthless il the maker
disregards his obligation, but II II
bears the Endorsements of all the
prominent business men OF the COM
munity it is quite another piece Of
paper. The more signatures there
are on it the better is the note.
But regardless of the practicable
ity of world peace treaties at this
time, 1t is certain that this course is