New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-08
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by his reputation for extreme conserv-
atism"
Across the continent from Seattle
comes this comment out of "The Post
Intelligencer'':
What the whole world must see in the
personnel Of our peace commission is the
determination Of the President to get a
square deal for Germany; that they will
sit at the peace table as friends of Ger
many and fulfil the Presidents prediction
that Germany would find her best friend
in him. If that is satisfactory to the Amer
lean people, there is nothing more to be
said about it, but it will leave an impress
sion in France, England and Italy which, we
fear, will be beyond the pervasive cloquence
of the President to remove"
AT the national capital there is also
some uneasiness, as this quotation from
''The Washington Star" discloses:
son the score of the Presidents depart
ure from the United States there has been
no lessening of public anxiety. The feeling
prevails that serious risk is being run
physically and officially; that grave con-
stitutionai questions may arise in conse-
quence Of his absence for an extended pc
Rod, despite facilities for speedy communi-
cation. Nothing, however, can be done in
view of the unalterable decision of the
President to go, and the country must hope
for the best, not merely as to the outcome
OF the peace conference, but with regard to
the unprecedented conditions precipitated
by the absence of the Chief Executive from
the scene of legislation"
"The Star" however, has no doubt of
the part the Senate will play in main
tanning its end of the job while the
head of the family is away.
There need be 10 despair Of, or doubt
about the Senate. 1t understands its part,
and there is every reason to believe will
play it with due regard to its responsible
ity to the country. That responsibility is
very great, and the treaty it will consider
will be one of transcendent importance
None of equal moment has ever occupied
its attention. Hence, though not present
IN person, the Senate in spirit will be at
Versailles, and influence on the pro-
ceedings not lightly, likely, to be ig-
nored.'
THE New York World has all air of
tolerance for predictions of internation-
al disaster with the President gone.
ut is always to be remembered that if
the vast governmental fabric at Washing
ton were TO be instantly usurped, aban-
doned or destroyed, the power of Ameri-
can democracy would still reside in forty
eight states. While that lasts Independ-
ence and Liberty last. Presidents may
come and go. Congresses may meet and
adjourn. Either or both may go astrav
or be overthrown, but so long as the states
endure the foundations of the Republic
will remain.
"Regrettable as even technical Presi-
Dental vacancy must be regarded, it is not
unlawful, and whatever temptations NAV
present themselves to those who would
like to make trouble, there need be no
fear that democracy we'll disciplined in
self-government will take advantage of it
with anything more disturbing than
words"
Out in the West there has been some
perplexity at the reports of two return
ing newspapermen Of friction among AL
lied statesmen and GOODNESS toward
America. But "The Kansas City Star"
which has q copyright on most of Col
onel Roosevelt's utterances, has this to
say editorally:
americans who are not blind followers
of any man and who desire to keep their
heads and see the facts as they are will
be on their guard against reports attrib-
uting a monopoly of the justice and lib.
eralism of the world to the United States.
and denying these qualities to the public
men of England and France who have been
tried in the furnace for the last four
years and proved themselves coual to
meeting the greatest emergency in his
tory"
The league of nations itself is still
being considered by most Interpreters
of public opinion. "The Oregonian,D of
Portland, Ore, sees that international
peace is development of international
morality rather than of state papers.
"The league of peace cannot be formed
by a number of men sitting around table
and signing papers. 1t viii be a gradual
growth from the good faith of each men,
Der and from the confidence Of the mem
bers In each others good faith, which can