The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-27

the basis Of serious discussion be-
tween the President and his guests.
Many of his inauisitors sought to
lind out how the needed solution OF
the tangled relations of the United
States apc the Mexican republic could
be Strengthened out II tho United
States entered the Wilson interna-
tional league. The President, THE
Sun Il informed, failed TO answer
these queries specifically enough to
satisfy his questioners.
The all important question OF the
effect the league as devised and de-
signed by Mr.. Wilson might have on
the Monroe Doctrine was particularly
brought forward. The Presidents re-
ply was that instead of abdicating our
traditional policy or abrogating this
policy the entrance of the United
States into the league as drawn up
would extend that doctrine to cover
the world.
A score OF questions on this head
fired at the President failed to shake
his conviction that this would be the
result, although It was pointed out to
him that European and Asiatic nations
easily could outvote the United States
and it's adherents In the proposed
league II their interests in the West
ern Hemisphere conflicted with Amerl-
can policies.
Appeals for support.
The President during the course Of
his answers took occasion TO appeal
. frankly for support of his plans. He
told his guests that II the league as
drawn up was not ratified 1t would
cause despair and hopelessness in
smaller nations throughout the world.
He said It was learned that as a matter
of fact the league as proposed Is al
ready in use and effect in certain parts
OF the world in solving some questions
which could not be disposed Of by Or
binary treaty processes.
II was learned also that not one OF
the guests, Republican or Democrat.
expressed an outright opinion in the
discussion with the President. While
II was easy enough to gather from the
phrasing of various questions Just
what view was held by the question
ers, nevertheless no downright posi-
ton was taken by any person present
except the President himself.
ono OF Jne BueSIst u IthH Oh tHc Hieh-
est position, used a remarkable express
sion in describing the character Of the
Presidents replies to questions concern
ing Chinese and Japanese exclusion. He
said:
ION this and some other matters the
President seemed to be befuddled."
Relied Upon Generalities.
Certainly II was gathered from a di-
gest of the dinner talk gathered by
THE SUN tonight that there was much
'vaguenese In many of the Presidents
replies; that he relied largely upon gen.
eralities covering the idealistic features
Of his programme that he rather evaded
definite specific answers, and that he
relied mainly on the substance of his
Boston speech not only In his direct pre-
liminary statement to the guests but In
answer TO the innumerable questions
that were put TO him.
Mr.. Wilson's answer to the national
argument against his League OF Ma
tons Is this:
Even II II does conflict with the Con-
stitution OF the United States nobody
need worry because than the Constitu-
tion. the supreme law OF the land, would
override the law OF his international
league.
In other words the main point OF Mr..
Congress foreign committees. as re-
ported by a guest, Is that the superna-
tional law is no supernatural law al
all when II comes to n pinch. That Is
EXACTLY the Impression that many OF
his guests puzzled in mind. carried
away from the White House
This, as THE Suns informant en-
phasized. was the Presidents main de-
fence OF his league all the way through
nearly three hours and half OF talk
and countertalk. 1t was his long delayed
answer TO the criticisms crystallized In
the speeches of Senators Borah, Pom
dexter and Reed--that the League OF
Nations could be entered into lightly
enough because when necessary the Con-
stitution OF the United States could be
relied upon TO override the constitution
OF the League of Nations, as insisted
upon veroatim. That insistence was re-
newed, 1t was gathered from THE SUN't
caut Gus lnformants.
Guests Departed in q Daze.
However-and this perhaps is the
most striking outcome OF the most mys-
terious and remarkable dinner party
sver held In the White House-most OF
the guests left the presence actually
dazed IN mind. They knew rather less
what the President has been after-is
after--when they left the dinner than
when they went to It, So far as actual
digestibie. helpful Information concern
ing the League OF Nations was con-
cerned they might just as well have
Initiated Senators Borah. Gdaho) ant
Fail. On. Nj and remained away.
The party was amiab!e. The Presi
dent was affable and unusually suave
There was no discordant note anywher,
except perhaps as cropped out after tn,
President made his speech and when &
few Senators and Representatives &C
cepted his invitation TO ask questions
but only then in the way OF some sharp
ness OF tone. 1t cannot be overem
phasized though. that the much adver.
tised affair contributed almost nothnS
of real value to the dlscussion--nothing
so 1t was said tonight. that could sway
the controversy one way or the other.
Address OF Twenty Minutes.
The dinner began at p NJ. in tn,
State dining room so reminiscent of
President who was content with the SOW
ereignty of his own land 1t lasted two
hours after which the President led hi
guests to the East Room where as they
stood he made rather short address
lasting scarcely twenty minutes
AS IN inst what the Presidept On 1,