Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-04
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1919
SENATOR HALE'S SPEECH

~ ENATOH HALE speaking be-
fore the Senate yesterday ex-
pressed a doubt as TO the popu-
larity of President Wilson's peace
program in the United States. The
Senator might have added that since
Americans do not know precisely
what President Wilson's program
is. they, of course, are not in posi-
ton to express intelligent opinion
concerning it. But so far as Presi-
dent Wilson has confided in his fell
low countrymen, there is room foI
debate as to how his so-called
peace principles have been ac-
= cepted. In the light of the recent
Congressional elections it might be
argued that majority of Ameri-
cans have little sympathy with the
President and his doctrines, but
many things other than the Presi-
dents ideas as to worldwide peace
entered into the overwhelming de-
feat of his party's candidates at the
polls, so judgment based on that
score would be faulty and in large
degree unfair. However, it is true
that while the country accepted al
its face value President Wilson'S
declaration that the purpose of the
war was to make the world safe foI
democracy" the average American
had no thought of maintaining an
army abroad indefinitely to keer
Europe safe for democracy" after
had been made safe through the
,orce of American arms.
There are by-ways in European
politics that nobody but European
understands. The President is learn.
ing more about these now than he
ever dreamed of before. 1t was all
very we'll to pool interests and tc
forget differences and ambition.
when the Hun was at the gate and
he fate of France. and Italy and
england was hanging in the balance
3ut now that victory has perched
Upon the allied banners it is bu,
natural that old feelings and desire,
should come to the surface and tha,
old political methods and diplomac,
inged by national and factiona'
feelings should make themselves
ielt at the peace conference. We
in America are 400 years ahead OF
Europe in freedom and honesty OF
thought as to the relations of OH
government with other governments
We have none of the traditiona
lnimosities, neighborhood feuds anc
neaking desires for national expan
ZION at the expense of the otheI
-ellow. We desire nothing NOR,
than fair treatment for ourselves
and honest dealing with our neigh
oors. We who are of. this mind anc
nave not come into contact witt
European politics first hand canno
understand fully, the difficulties tha
lie before country if the Presiden
means to attempt to carry out tn,
totiSS lhdI has Deen attributed Il
lim with respect to intervention III
European affairs to the extent O
helping police unruly sections o
he continent, and possibly-of Afric;
ind Asia as well. But as a matte
II principle we are opposed to ii
We have enough problems at hom
o keep us busy. We can do ia
more for the uplift. of Europe b,
recept and example in democrati
government as we administer an,
;njoy it at home than we can b,
1eating it into the heads of unap
Dreciative Europeans through tn
md of military policeman's club
The President is skating on yer.
hin ice in Europe, both with re
pect to support at home and abilit,
@ carry through his program abroad
he is proceeding as though he ha,