The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-24
WILSON LEAGUE
AIMS ASSAILED
BYCOL. HARVEY
Editor Describes Presi-
dents Plan as Scheme
to Enforce War.
TRIPS MOTIVE ATTACKED
Demand for Hanging Of Ex-
Kaiser Stirs Diners of
New England Society.

In 4 ringing appeal for the reincar-
nation Of the spirit OF Washington and
webster among the nations leaders
70 guide and counsel the United States
m its attitude toward alliances with
foreign powers, Col. George Harvey.
editor of the North American Rcvie,o,
IN a speech before the New England
Society at the Waldorf last night de-
nounced President Wilson's idea OF a
league OF nations as being in effect a
league to enforce war and contrary
10 the fundamental principles OF
American government.
Col. Harvey charged that the ma
TONS representatives, headed by the
President, went to the peace confer
ence in Europe not 'in scrupulous
avoidance but in eager pursuit Of en-
tangling alliances"
we are informed" he said. that
their mission is not wholly pacific
They are to fight To fight whom?
Germany? Austria? Turkey? No
praise be to God. that task Is finished.
Whom then IL not our Allies. who
saved our country and our lives? And
for what? For an ideal-a glorious
ideal; for a league. n mighty league
OF nations, to enforce-what? Peace?
No. To enforce war-war upon every
people who refuse to bow TO the edicts
OF a self-appointed tribunal"
"MeddIesome Intrusion
In Directing TO anything approach
ing a permanent alliance as implied
IN the suggested League OF Nations
Col Harvey referred to Washington
observation that America might safely
trust to temporary alliances for ex-
traordinary emergencies. That" he
continued, sis what we have done, but
We are in no way committed. as yet. to
single step further along the path
of meddlesome intrusion"
Further in his address Col. Harvey
demanded to know the impelling mo-
tive that took representatives Of the
United States Government abroad on a
chip made in Germany and ironically
renamed the George Washington In
eager pursuit OF just such entangling
and permanent alliances. He reminded
his hearers OF the repeated dec.ara-
tons that America did not enter the
war in search of conquest, that Amer
lea wanted nothing-"wants nothing
so badly that even her Chief Magts-
t-ate HES himself across the sea to
get IL"
Official representatives OF several Of
the allied Powers listened closely &c
Col Harvey's criticism of the course
that is being followed by those who
will eventually speak for America a
the peace table. These included N
Marcel Knecht, director of the officia
Bureau of French Information and {
member of the French High Commits
sion, and c. Give Bayley. British
Consul General in New York. Their
were also present q score or NOR
members of the United States Arm,
and Navy, including Vice-Admira
Albert Gleaves.
Applanded by nner,.
For obvious reasons none Of thes
gentlemen gave outward evidence Q
approval or .disapproval OF Co
Harvey's remarks, but they were tn
only members of the company of 81
or seven hundred people who did nc
applaud when. speaking of the frs
President OF the United States, tn
Colonel said:
I'VE may rest assured, moreove,
that It would never have occurred I
him to give an honorable alliance a
aspect of aloofness, ambiguity an
d!strust by designating II with osten
tatious caution as a nero unique as
ISOLATION"
The dinner was the 113th annut
affair OF the society and commend
rate the 29Sth anniversary of til
landing OF the Pilgrims. Col. Harve
was the first speaker. DR.. Edwar
L. Partridge, president OF the societ!
were: NJ. Knecht. Prof. Albert Bush
nell Hart OF Harvard, and Hamilto
Holt, editor Of the Independent.
Great applause greeted Col. Harvey
assertion that there was only justic
in the suggestion that the KaIse
should be hanged, and an even create
uproar Of approval followed his dec
laration that Germany should b
compelled to pay a penalty fixed upo
by those she has 80 grievousl
wronged. The greatest storm OF ar
plause, however, was reserved for I'll
editors statement OF his belief that
is the duty OF this country to set tn
nations of the American Continent
order before embarking upon a met
dlesome course in the affairs
Europe.
Col. Harvey's Address.
Col. Harvey said:
OF all the many notable banquet
OF this society given since the evenin
OF Forefathers Day in 1905. when Ge
Ebenezer Stevens raised his glass. G
the saying now is in Paris, to yoI
nrst president, James Watson, Il
most memorable by common assent
that which took place seventy-fiN
Years ago tonight.
The scene was the great hall Of II
Astor House, then at the height of 4
long prominence. The first speak,
was no less famous a parsonage tina
Rufus Choate, and the last was Il
distinguished Mr.. Aldham OF the Bri
ish Parliament. Between the ~
came the orator OF the evening, Il
greatest orator OF the land and Of q
lands, who was introduced with thei
meaningful words:
Daniel Webster-the gift of Ne
England to his country. his who
country and nothing but his countr!
The phrase was his own, utter,
ma 1. -