Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

The president, having not yet recovered from hi. III
ness sent his annual message to congress yesterday In
stead OF reading It in person, as has been his custom. III
view OF the prominent position which the peace treaty
and the League OF Nations have occupied, and Of the
necessity for making some disposition OF the subject,
there was great interest in the manner in which that sub
ject would be discussed in the message. Evidently this
subject 10 reserved for later treatment, as the ANIMAL
message contains only passing and incidental reference
to 1t. There Is no intination as to whether the president
contenapiates something IN the nature OF compromise on
the treaty or intends to adhere to his unconciliatory at
titude and run the chance OF having the treaty remain in
the form Of unfinished business during next summers
campaign.
In view OF the intense interest which any recommen-
dalton on the treaty would have aroused, the message as
actually delivered becomes decidedly tame. A great
deal Of the text is a repetition OF recommendation al
ready made. and even when direct quotations. from for
ner messages are not made, the substance CORRESPONDS
closely to that which has gone before. The message is
devoted almost entirely to matters either OF a routine ma.
ture or which are now receiving attention at the hafds
Of congress.
The suggestion for tariff changes has been, made by
M. Wilson before. and its enaanation from a high Dsm-
ocratic source ts a fresh demonstration Of the fact that
the tariff question has ceased to be a party issue.
Perhaps the most significant part Of the message
is that devoted to economic and political unrest. The
president recognizes the fact that two great causes con-
tribute to this unrest, increased cost Of living, and the &C.
tivty OF agitators and revolutionists. And in his discus
sion Of the subject emphasis is placed, we believe. on the
wrong feature. The labor and other disturbances which
tho county u now experiencing are. ne are firmly con-
WINGED, due very much moro largely to the activity Of
revolutionists than to any economic conditions which e.
INT. The agitators have seized upon an Opportunity af-
forded them by a series Of advancing prices and the un-
settled conditions due to our transition from war to
peace, but 1t has been thoroughly demonstrated that the
revolutionists are with us, regardless Of economic condi-
tons, and that whether in peace Or in war, in good times
or bad, they will ply their trade and preach their PERM
cious doctrine. with the deliberate purpose Of destroying
the very structure of American government and bringing
this country to the level Of Bolsh evik Russia, which they
20 greatly admire. +
This condition will not bo cured by any ARRANGEMENTS
that may be made as to wages and working conditions.
1t VIII not be made by providing for the participation Of
employees in the manasefnent-of Industries. 1t will not
be cured by anything short Of the full and unreserved ac-
ceptance by the American government of the fact tha1
il 1t 10 to endure 1t must take prompt and effective steps
TO defend itself against the enemies who are working
night and day to destroy 1t: that It must proceed, with
promptness and yisor to suppress revolution by roofing
out revolutiNlists: by an attitude 70 resolutc and UNI
compromising that no one can misunderstand 1t or win
dare trifle With II