The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-10-26

away With by the mission Of Col. House.
Stress Need of Unity,
The British newspapers have. been
emphasizing the need OF unity Of diplo-
matte council, and Mr.. Wilson himself
closed bis famous New York speech OF
Sept. q with a plea for a closer under-
Col. House, therefore, arrives at the
crucial moment when the allies are de-
ltberating how TO answer Mr., Wilson'S
suggestions to them concerning an an
swer to Germany's peace plea,
The president has asked the allies to
say If they approve his IA peace art;
Giles. There is a section of English and
French opinion, which. like Cox Roose-
welt, ~disagrees with any Of the Wilson
principles, but the confidence here Is
that the masses of the people in the
allied countries are overwhelmingly In
favor OF a peace by justices such as
the president outlined. MIR. Roosevelt's
telegram to Senator Lodge, calling some
Of the presidents peace terms mis-
c%hievous" and saying they would in
volve 1.-THE conditional surrender of the
United States" reflects some of the
disui1ity in the United States which
may or may not become am issue in
the Forthcoming congressional elections.
The presidents plea today for a
Democratic congress is prompted large
ly by the embarrassmehts he believes
have already been caused abroad BY the
extremist positions adopted by his po-
litical opponents in this country.
Politics Crops Out.
While no mention has been made in
the presidents plea Of today for a
Of peace terms, the debate in the SEN
ate. in which Senator Thomas, of Colo
RADIO Democratl, called attention to
Republican literature arguing that Mr..
Wilson was Using his IA terms to OBJ
tain free trade and eliminate protec-
tive tariffs, Is a straw which shows
which way the political storms are
blowing.
The presidents friends are insisting
that he didn't have any reference to
free trade in mind, but simply the un-
fair determinations Of an economic
character which have helped to pro-
duce international fraud and finally
bloodshed.
If the president Is compelled to go
before the country and defend his In
of a removal Of economic bar
rlers, his supporters claim the issue
will be closely drawn between the Re-
publican and Democratic parties, and
they are willing to take their chances
the verdict of the people as between
XIV "N VI n l4uh plolCIIlfS
tariff and economic peace and less
bloodshed.
Premier Faces Politics.
Premier Lloyd George has a political
situation on his hands, too, The radical
elements in France are similarly power
full. To a remarkable degree have the
liberal and socialist elements in Great
Britain and France shown their sym
pathy for President wilson's IA terms,
which they have embraced in entirety.
Col. House goes abroad at a moment
when he can advise the allied govern |
of just what the presidents
views are concerning a healing peace;
one that will eliminate kaiSerism and
his large standing armies; one which
will not destroy the German nation,
but enable it to be admitted to a league
OF nations when once it sets up a
democratic government, responsible to
the people only,
Out OF Col. Houses mission impor-
tant results are expected to cone He
has been %singuIarly successful with
European statesmen in the past in
bringing them to a better understand
they can get by ~fragmentary cable
grams in critical moments. He doesn't
speak instead of the president,
because Mr.. Wilson reserves the privi- |
lege of decision for himself in most
matters, but he does speak on behalf
Of Mr.. Wilson.
He explains the Wilson viewpoint and
the Wilson instructions and re-
ports back faithfully what is said TO
him. He Is a personal representative
Of the president because he knows the
Presidents mind very well indeed, be-
sides being a close friend and supporter,
but he really Is large, |
with a commission enabling him to en-
ter any capital in Europe and get ae-
cess to the responsible leaders OF the
government as we'll as all the political
parties.
The Washington correspondents knew
Of his sailing~a week ago, but at the
Of the government made no
mention Of the fact in print so as to
insure safety in the overseas journey.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Eve
ming Post, Inc.)