The sun., 1918-12-17
what Is "the American Viewpoint;

From one Of the most intelligent Of
the American correspondents now in
Paris, Mr.. DAVID LAWRENCE Of the
Bpcntn0 Post, we get this rejection
Of President WILSON'S understanding
Of his representative capacity while
abroad:
"AYerica gave a fitting oiimax to the
achievement OF her millions OF troops by
sending the Commander in Chief OF her
army and navy. the spokesman OF a
democratic people, TO ride side BY side
with me President OF France triumph
anfiy through the main thoroushfares
Of ths city"
What does this mean7 There never
was q time when an exact deenitlon
Of the purposes and status Of the
President was more eagerly desired
by his fellow citizens at home.
Does Mr.. DAVID LAWRENCE mean
that President WILSON Is over there
as q military figure, as Commander
in Chief of the United States Army
and Navy? If so, what does this cor
respondent mean by declaring that
America sent the Commander In Chief
over there? 1t is a notorious fact
that the President sent himself. with
out the advice md consent Of Con-
gress, without the approval or per
mission Of any qualified governmental
authority, and in the face Of an
almost unanimously adverse public
opinion.
II, on the other hand, President
WILSON Is over there, not in his milf,
tary capacity, but as 1.-The spokesman
Of a democratic people," he must be
volunteer spokesman only, for he
speaks for a democratic people who
have given him no instructions and
have had from him no intimation Of
what he purposes to say or do In
their name.
Most of the dispatches from Paris
since the Presidents arrival have
treated his mission as II he were the
holder of q mandate and the bearer
OF a message from the American peo'
plea High Commissioner or Ambas-
eador sent across the ocean to com
munlcate to the statesmen of the AL
lied Powers the wishes of the Ameri
can people concerning a definitely un
derstood and publicly approved policy
for the future regulation Of the at
fairs of Europe.
We hear good deal about "the
American viewpoint" as If such 6
viewpoint existed somewhere els,
than IN the Presidents own mind anC
behind lock to which he alone pos
sesses the combination.
What is the American Viewpoint
That Is what the Senate. the ultimate
authority in the making of the treat
les which the Executive can merely
propose to 1t for ratification, Is EN-
powered to declare by resolution
That Is what the Congress, the Sen
ate and the House together, is empow
cred to declare by Joint or concurrent
resolution. That is what the peopl,
Of the United States might be sup
posed TO express unofiicially by thu
platform announcement Of both grea
political parties declaring concur
rently, or even by the platform pro
nouncement of the party known TO b,
in the majority of the popular vote.
But how can viewpoint know
only to the President and by him con
.eealed up to date from all but hi
private and confidential associates (if
indeed, 1t is known even to them) b.
described as "the American view
point"7 The very use of the phras,
in connection with IN unascertaine,
policy and unrevealed intentions Il
ridiculous in logic and offensive (,
democratic Ideas, since it implies al
individuals autocratic control of tn,
thoughts and will of the Deonle