New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-11-19
THE PRESIDENTS JOURNEY.

One reason which may be applied to
attend the peace conference is his
desire to support, in person, the
adoption of his points on which he
believes peace can be effected and
made permanent. Hints have come
from abroad that there is an increas-
ing opposition to some of the planks
in his peace platform and it is pos
sible he wishes to attend the debates
to throw his weight against these OBJ
jections, still in their swaddling
clothes.
Although the Allied governments
hailed with enthusiasm President
Wilson's program to end wars when
this program was announced, since
then foreign capitals have unofficial
ly allowed it to become known that
they consider the points too general.
Fault is found that they are possible
of many interpretations and it is be-
lieved President Wilson should issue
a more elaborate and more specific
explanation.
This is true especially of Points 2
and which appear vague to the
English mind. Point deals with the
freedom of the seas and Point with
the reduction Of ornaments, both of
which are of vital interest to the
British Empire. Under present inter
i national law-or what remains of it
adopted at The Hague, a liberal
freedom of the seas is extended to
all nations, but the right of blockade
during war is recognized. 1t is uues-
tionable whether blockades would be
permitted if Point were approved.
OF course the English can furnish
strong argument against such a
course as it Is admitted that the Brit
lsh naval barrier in the North Sea
since war was declared has been in
Etrumental in bringing about the
downfall of the Central Powers
Reduction of ornaments is also
certain to arouse objections in Great
Britain, which has vast overseas col
onies and dominions. Already 1t has
been whispered England will insist
s on specific statement defining this
n point If it Is brought up at the YER
eaIlles conference. Long trade routes
must be protected, England will say
u and large navy will be essential.
A general association OF nations, as
outlined In Point IA. for the purpose
of afeording mutual guarantees Of po-
liticaI independence and territorial in
tesrity to great and small states
4 alike, may also call for explanation.
This is an altruistic project which
may not be practicable. The League
to Enforce Peace, a purely American
Idea which finds some support abroad,
Is really a League to Enforce the Mil
siennium but certain dangers Turk in
its program. Such a league might or
might not bring about permanent
peace but it is almost certain to mean
the surrender of national military in
dependence to a central governing
body. President Wilson is known to
FAVOR the fundamental principles of
the league and may put his moral
force into the scales in favor of it.
Aside from the international aspect
of President Wilson's Journey the
yisdom of his decision is questioned.
THE immediate future lccms as
dark night No one knows what is
about to occur. Pessimists who pre-
dict dire internal trouble DIT ring the
days of readjustment may be disap-
pointed. This may also be true of
pptimistS, who believe America will
return to the conditions existing be-
ore the war without any special
Guidance. Of the two beliefs, the lat
er is the more unsound. But what
ever the case may be. President VIII
on is needed on this side of the At
antic His very presence instils con-
idence into the nation and his alb
ence may have the opposite effect.
His departure will be an error which,
III patriots hope, may not have I'M
desirable results