The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-12-05
What of President Wilson'S Return From the Peace Table?
Will He Come Back as a Popular Idol, or a Shattered One?

proceed to Europe as the nations sole spokesman
has aroused both Just aud unjust criticisms which
have combined 90 make the people uneasy.
something of the general popular attitude has
been expressed in the recent, widely quoted article
b, David Lawrence. Washington correspondent of
The New York Evening Post. which is e-printcd
elsewhere ON this page today. This article gains sig.
niticancc because Mr., Lawrence, one OF the foremost
of American newspaper correspondents. has been
one of the most Steadfast admirers and supporters
of President Wilson : administration. His praise OF
The acts. policies and pronounccmentS OF President
Wilson have been 50 unrescrvcd and so consistent.
aud his rcputcd relations with the White House
have been 81 close that he has been regarded rs the
administration s most valued newspaper Spokcs.
man. Because of thes, facts the article caused a
sensation in newspaper and political circles. 1t
came close upon the heels of Secretary McAdoo'S
unexpected resignation and M n time when rumors
were rife Of sharp cleavage in the administration
over vital policies and has therefore been endowed
by many observers of public affairs with double
significance.
Particularly significant as regards the preSi-
dent journey TO the Peace Conference is the cont
rlusion of the article in which Mr.. Lawrence says;
There Is no one bat himself on whom re-
sponsib!liiy can be placed aud no one but him
self who can restore the confidence of the PEG
Pile in him AT a time when he must needs tel,
European statesmen. skilled in the bargaining
methods of Old World diplomats, that he sp'ut,
for Il united America. which doesn I want 10
see sc%liislncsS supercedc a spiri; of Justice at
the peace table, aud is particularly anxious
that the sacrifices America mas made shall not
have been made in vain.
There is not much doubt, as Mr.. Lawrence fore.
caStcd. ten days before the president sailed. that
he has left behind him a detected and depressed
following whose enthusiasm for him will have been
seriously diminished.
But President Wilson is sailing away 10 an OPP
portunity such a. no man has ever enjoyed before.
lie can easily overcome. by his attitude AT the Peace
Conference, all of the lost popularity and hush all
the criticism. II he shows there that iustiiiahlc
grounds have existed. outside Of his personal de
sircS, for obscurity in stating pca"" terms and re
tlccncc IN outlining peace plans, and that i'm as
Sumipg the whole responsibility for this nation s
part in the Peace Conference has not failed to un.
dcrsiand and heed the sentiment and the demands
of the American people.
What will Wilson DOE
Never has "A more interesting query famed be-
fore the eyes of our people Mr.. Wilson's trcmcn.
dous personality has never been 50 strikinglv shown
ms in his ability. for whatever reason. 10 center upon
himself not only the attention Of his own nation.
but the attention of the whole world. lie stands.
beyond all question i'm the exact center of the
mighty world stage, with the spotlight of pitlcsS
publicity trained squarcly upon him.