Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-07
Standing His Ground

DRESIDENT WILSON is returning to the
peace conference without having sur
rendered one degree to the opposition which
has assailcd him and his policies. He is
standing pat upon his league Of nations pro-
gram He is determined no less than
four weeks ago to incorporate that program
in the treaty of peace and to submit the
whole document to the United States Senate
for ratification. He will assert to his conferecs
in Paris that the great body OF the American
people believe that he is justified in using
every means at his command to make the
formation of the league the paramount con-
sideration in the treaty which is now being
drafted.
1t will be matter OF prime interest, there
fore, to observe the effect OF the storm raised
in America upon the prestige and influence
OF the American delegation at the conference.
Will that conference assume that the Amer
lean Senate is committed in advance to
policy of reputation of the league? Will
it take it for granted that no treaty cmbody
ing leagIe as now proposed can hope for
ratification at the hands of body pledged
publicly TO its rejection? Will the opponents
of league in the conference find basis
for determined fight against the President
and those OF his associates who have been
instrumental in erecting the elaborate
structure for the prevention of future wars?
answer probably has been given to them
already. The peace conference even now has
let it be understood that domestic opposi-
ton to President Wilson has little weight
in determining the influence of the Amer
leans in Paris. 1t must be remembered that
Mr.. Wilson went TO Europe within less than
two months Of the congressional election
in which his party lost control Of both the
House and Senate by substantial majorities.
no 81 nFt I, 81
nation would have meant the overthrow Of
the prevailing ministry, and would have made
it impossible for the government so discred-
tied to have any voice whatever in the peace
processes.
But the congressional election had no eff
iect Whatever upon the prestige OF Presi-
dent Wilson. He was received abroad with
demonstrations which indicated clearly that
American politics meant nothing to the Eu-
ropean mind and lie was given Il place in
the councils OF the victorious powers with
out tho slightest regard for the action of
the American electorate. 1t seems unthink-
able therefore, that he will return 10 Paris
shorn OF any of tho influence which has
made him easily the towering figure in all
that body OF great men. Mere heckling at
homo will scarcely affect his standing abroad
f1libustcrS and round robins will not depriye
him OF his power
IT is comforting to believe that tho head
OF the great American nation will be able
to rc-enter the peace conference with tho
iull strength of his high station unimpaircd
lie has history 10 make. He has vast re-
sponsibilitics TO meet, and he has the bulk
OF the American people behind him, just az
nc stands forth today as the champion of
the hopes OF unnumbered millions of mon
and women throughout the civilized world
Tic may be damned by partisans in Wash
1nston, but he will be blessed by generations
yet unborn, If he achieves the purposes which
now absorb his mind and heart