The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-09-29
David Lawrence AnalyzesI
Public Opinion on Peace
Treaty Ratification.
QUICK ACTION WANTED
Newspaper Men Who Accom-.
panied Wilson Agree
on That Point.
(BY DAVID LAWRENcE.,


(Note.-This Is the first of a series
of three articles analyzing the effects
of President Wilson transcontinen-
tai tour and an incidental observation
Of industrial and political conditions
throughout the trip.)
Washington, Sept. 29.--(Copy-
righted for The Chattanooga News.)
No two correspondents on Presi-
dent Wilson's train would agree as
to the effect on the senate of Presi-
dent Wilson appeal for an imme-
diate ratification of the peace treaty
and league Of nations, but out of the
twenty men representing newspapers
of different political creeds .he ma
jority, in fact all. would probably
agree that in at least one place in
California the president not only got
an enthusiastic response fronag the
people, but the friendliest kind OF
support from republicans hitherto
counted the staunchest supporters of
the man who is the chief opponent
of the treaty. Senator Hiram John
son.
With respect t0>many other states
the truth is that the issue between
those VINO favor the league and those
VINO oppose 1t was SO vaguely drawn
as to make it almost impossible to
say with certainty how much of the
demonstration for the president was
respectful commendation of the in
defatigable labor of the man while
in public Office and how much was
an expression of support of ideas he
was eXpounding. Street crowds ap-
peared awestruck in some cities,
mildly enthusiastic in others and
wildly yet almost fanatically glad in
other cities to see the president and
do him honor. Owing to the limited
size of halls, auditoriums, theaters
and arenas where the president spoke
relatively few people, perhaps not
more than 10000, were able to get
within earshot.
The great majority of American
people read Mr.. Wilson's speeches in
the newspapers. either the full tsxt
or summary. At the outset of the
trip the presidents utter~pses were
carried In full on-the prcs2 4asaccia-
tion wires, but later on as he crossed
the continent only excerpts were sent
Best Speeches on Coast.
Unfortunately for the president. the
best speeches he made were on the
Pacific coast, from which place, owins
to the three hours difference In time,
afternoon newspapers in the central
and eastern time belt got only the
brefest accounts, while night speeches
ral oit f,, Val
Wisconsin and Montana, would surely
arrive too late for morning newspapers
and thus were hardly reported at all.
The unwritten rule in newspaper Offices
that a yesterdays paper Is old news
initiated against repetition of the
presidents speeches to any length in
the afternoon newspapers on next day.
So the bulk of the presidents argu-
ment has not been published, though
a collection of these speeches is being
printed in the senate records and an
effort will. be made to have them reach
the people as public document. /,
say UNFORTUNATELY for the president" ,
because he made his clearest argu-
ments while on the Pacific coast. He
made the most effective exposition of
his case only after he got further
west and seemed to warm up to his
subject and really take cognizance OF
the objections to the covenant around
which public opinion was beginning to
crystalize. 1t was not until he reached
Spokane, for instance. that he tackled
the question of why Great Britain
should have six votes in the assembly
to Americas one. He did not touch
reached Montana The president was
educated as he went westward. He /
learned what impressions had been ,
implanted in the public mind.
Main Arguments In Nutshell.
In a nutshell, here is tie substance
Of the main atgum -nts made by the
pre- esident for the passage of the treaty
and the league of nations:
America conscripted large
army. raised billions of dollars and
sacrificed thousands of lives not
merely to beat Germany. but to
prevent another world war from
decimating civilization Nine
months would be required by the
terms of the treaty and league for
arbitration or official discussion OF
international disputes. During
that period opportunity would
surely be afforded for passions to
cool. Had there been nine days
given to International conference
in 1914 there would have been no
war. America is already bound by
treaties with thirty other nations
of the world not to go to war for
one year. while disputes are sub
discussion. Therefore, In self
protection, America should be fore
most in asking other nations to
subscribe to the same principle OF
action through the league of ma
tions. Any nation agreeing by
signing of the peace treaty to sub
init disputes to nine months arbi-
to- ~nssinn and then
fusing to do SO will be subjected
to an economic boycott-that is. 1t
will be permitted no food or goods
of any kinds. no business inter-
course of any kind. with other ma
tions of the world. Should some
thing stronger than economic force
be necessary. the council OF the
league of nations on which sits an
American representative. shall ad-
wise what other stcps shall be
needed TO compel obedience and
the preservation of peace. No ac-
ton cen he taken by the council
without the consent of the Ameri-
can representative because unan-
nous vote Is required. The Amer
ican delegate would be subject TO
instructions by the president of the
United Sites. who in turn Is con-
stitutionally unable to declare war
without the consent of congress. so
that the powers OF the American
representative at the seat Of the
le"gue of nations would he little
different from those of an Ameri-
can amha ssador at any foreign
capital,
Assembly Powers Limited.
No action whatever affecting the
employment Of military or naval
forces can be taken by the assem-
blv of TIE league wherein Great
Pritpin has six votes The assem-