New-York tribune., 1916-07-04

Prom The Philadelphia Nor,s Aner'cdn'
No other quality in the makeup OF President
Wilson has been the subject Of wider com
ment or more persistent eulogy than his inti-
macy with the English language and MS
readiness in employing it. While ne is ny
no means powerful in oratory, it is undenia-
ble that he has an extraordinary faclllty IN
expression. a gift Of fluent and agreeable die
ton.
He uses words with a practised case ana
grace which at the time create an impression
Of we'll ordered thought, OF judgment based
upon extensive knowledge and experience, OF
mental processes singularly smooth and eff
Gent in operation. The sentences flow from
him seemingly without effort so as to sug-
gest that they must be emanations from an
intellect Of surprising power, invigorated by
philosophy that is equal 10 the solution OF
any human problem.
II the intermnable speech making required
Of him ever bores him, he does not show 1t.
So far as one may discover, nothing could be
less arduous for him than to pour out at fire.
ouent intervals two or three thousand words
Of Presidential observation, advice and ad-
70 add that his manner is always correct
as his mode of expression is pleasant He IS
seldom dogmatic, and his frequent protesta-
ton that his desire is to seek counsel rather
than impose his own no doubt is quite sin
cere.
Very often-one might almost say usually
his speeches are not prepared that is to
say. they are not written in advance. The
reservoir Of words at his command opens so
easily and the flow is so perfectly at his con-
troll that except on formal occasions, sucn
as an address to Congress or some great ma
tional gathering, he improyses his remarks.
This facility of expression is, no doubt,
valuable asset TO public man and CON
venience to an Executive whose time is greatly
occupied Yet in such case as this the habit
of extemporaneous discussion has serious
drawbacks A more brilliant and more eX-
perienced statesman than Mr.. Wilson, follow
ing his custom of impromptu dissertations
upon vital affairs and delicate problems, could
rot fail TO make bewildering contradictions,
70 cause confusion and uncertainty as to his
purposes.
Ordinarily the sense Of public perplexity
thus created would not be serious matter.
But in these times Mr.. Wilson's lightest
word because OF his exalted position, re-
verberates through the world like an utter
ance of the nation. His constant reteration
Of the belief that he is for the time being
the spokesman Of America the authorita-
tive interpreter OF its policies and ideals,
gives 10 his most carelessly framed utter
ances almost the force OF proclamations.
The neatly phrased apothegms and grace
full generalities which Mr. Wilson dispenses
amid the exhiarating surroundings of
mass meeting or a banquet hall are read
next day in a score of world capitals with in
tense scrutiny as the declarations OF the
President of the United States and their re-
hottest implications are examined for their
bearing upon international policies of grave
moment.
Twice within a week Mr.. Wilson has illus
trated in a striking manner the lack OF sub
stance. or the heodlessness, of his fluent OBJ
eervations In Philadelphia on Thursday
and in New York on Friday he revealed anew
his complete command of rhetorical devices
and his apparent indifference to any other
factor in public expression. Before the ad-
vertising convention, for example he dis
coursed upon national duty in these terms:
81 believe that America, the country which
we put first in our thoughts, should be ready
in every point Of policy and of action to vim
dicate at whatever cost the principles of lib
erty, of justice and of humanity to which we
have been devoted from the first
No more stirring sentiment could be mag
ned than this declaration, phrased with ad'
mirable terseness and uncompromislng vigor.
America should be ready" not only with a
programme Of action, but with the means Of