The sun., 1918-12-03
LOCAL EDITORIALS
ON WILSON SPEECH
'The World Dwells on Refer
ence to Presidents Visit
to Paris.
SOME ARE UNAPPROVING
The times Says Public Does
Not Know Presidents
Real Purposes.

New York newspapers comment on
the Presidents message this morning
as follows:
The WOrld--Those who looked for
an elaboration of his reasons for at
tending the Peace Conference in Presi-
| dent Wilson's annual address, to Con-
gress yesterday were disappointed, or
course. In the nature OF things, the
stronger his conviction that his pres
ence in Paris is necessary the less he
could say about It publicly.
Aside from the few words devoted
by Mr.. Wilson to his diplomatic err
rand, his address was almost as per-
functory as one OF the old time written
messages of the Presidents. He could
have said no less OF the triumph OF our
arms at the crisis OF the war, or of
the devotion of the people, or OF the
necessity for wise measures of recon
struction, or Of the importance OF
placing our vast industries upon a
peace basis with proper recognition OF
public rights lie might have said
less in regard to woman suffrage by
national amendment, and IL he had not
been intent upon going abroad upon
an errand which few Americans under
stand, he might have said a great deal
more on the subject OF the railroad
and shipping problems. for which, we
are sorry to say, he had no solution to
offer.
The Tlmes-Nobody can or will
doubt the Presidents sincere desire to
represent American thought at Paris.
The trouble is that upon many Of the
bases" OF peace drawn UP by him last
January American thought Is as yet
uniformed and the American people
know his thought only as he has put
II before them in the broadcast outlines.
Specifically, they have practically no
knowledge OF what he intends to say
in respect 10 the freedom OF the seas
and the League of Nations. E. It
will be admitted that with all our sud
den and idealistic devotion to open
diplomacy, 1t might have been mex
pedient to open all these matters to
public discussion, but for all the people
know Mr.. Wilson has made up his
mind upon these weighty matters
without resort TO the counsel OF other
minds
The Herald-What Congress wanted
TO hear was the why" OF the visit to
Europe. 1t heard about what It had
heard before. The President said that
the allied Governments had asked him
TO attend the peace conference in order
10 make clear the meaning OF his
fourteen points" and he felt, there
fore, that he should GO. He failed,
however. to give his reasons for object
ing to the Vice President performing
the duties that would seem clearly to
devolye upon that official during the
period when the President is unable to
perform them.
SO the attitude Of Mr., Wilson toward
Mr.. Thomas Riley Marshall remains as
great mystery as ever.
The Trlbune:-Mr. Wilson is lmpa-
tent with those who are continually
requiring definitions and t9xtual certi-
tudes. His mind functions with prin-
ciples. Its attitude toward his errand
in Europe cannot be altered by Criti-
cism or analogy. for II is an emotional
attitude. This is revealed fully in the
eNhortation at the end which reads:
May
now hope gentlemen OF the Congress,
that in the delicate tasks
l shall have 10 perform on the other
side OF the sea. in my efforts truly and
faithfully to interpret the principles
and purposes OF the country We love,
l may have the encouragement and the
added strength of your united support?
l realize the magnitude and the ditf-
Guilty Of the duty
am undertaking.
! am poignantly aware OF its grave re-
sponsibilites.
am the servant OF the nation
can have no private thought or pur-
pose OF my own in performing such an
errand.
] go to give the best that In IN me 10
tine common settlement which
| must now assist in arriving al IN
conference with the other working
heads OF the associated Governments.
] shall count upon your friendly coun-
tensnce and encouragement,
shall not be inaccessible. The cables
and wireless will render me available
for any counsel or service you may de-
sire Of me, and
/ shall be happy In the thought that
| am constantly in touch with the
weghty matters OF domestic policy
with which we shall have to deal.
! shall make my absence as brief as
possible,
lie will be available for any counsel
or service desired OF him. He does not
suggest that he will be accessible t.
the aid and counsel OF the Senate