The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-09
PRESIDENT SEES
PLAN In DANGER
Willing to Make Concessions
on League, Asserts
Adviser.
BIG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Taft and Lewis to Be Spokes-
men in Nationwide
Appeal.
BIG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
spscia, Despatch to Tnr SOY.

opcCtU< bcSpdtCH 70 IHb bpN.
WASHINGTON, March s.--Presidcnt
Wilson has outlined a plan Of cam
paign to be followed by his supporters
in appealing to the country to indorse
his League of Nations programme
The Presidents directions and sugges-
tions show that in many respects his
views have changed as a result of the
acute controversy in America
1t has become known that just be-
fore leaving Washington the President
sent for a Senator in whom he reposes
the utmost confidence and told him
many things privately which are to
have direct bearing on developments
here during his absence. The Presi-
dent, after mapping out a plan to be
followed on his behalf. brought out
facts which may be enumerated as
follows:
Ffrst-It Is, In the Presidents opin-
ion. Of the utmost Importance that
American opposition to the league plan
be checked before 1t becomes a de-
cisive factor In the European negotia-
tions.
Second-The President admits that
his entire work at the Peace Confer
ence is already jeopardized by the op-
position.
Third-The President is perfectly
willing now to see the league constitu-
ton changed or amended II American
opinion favors this.
Admits Plan IL Faulty.
The President admitted that there
were some features OF the leagues con-
stitution which he himself would now
like TO see changed. Before reaching
America IL became evident to him that
the work OF drawing up the constitution
had been done in too great haste, that
certain interpretations had crept into
the instrument which should have been
left out and that things had been left
out which should have been incorpo-
rated.
He was prepared TO tell members OF
the Senate and House foreign commit
tees OF these missivings and ask their
advice. but when he found the turmoil
going on in Washington against his
league he decided that the time was OPP
perfume for him to think of fighting
rathsr than talking compromise
Whss transpired during the Presi-
dents stay In Washington is regarded
by him more In the nature of political
campaign than any attempt to exchange
views on the league plan. Since the op-
position, he believed. was playing poll
tics the President Is described as say
ing that he could pay them back In kind.
Therefore the statements made by the
President while in America, notably
those indicating that tho American peo-
pie were overwhelmingly for the
league" must not be taken too literally,
Even Bryan Against II.
As a matter OF fact the President
fears that the American people are not
in favor of the league plan. He knows
much more about the opposition to II
than even his opponents. according to
the Senator who talked with him. He
knows. for example, that some of his
trusted followers are against his league
plan as It stands and others are against
any league built along the general lines
of the league constitution.
William ]. Bryan. commonly known as
the peace apostle, is against the league
plan according to the Prehident's un-
derstanding. Friendship between the
two men has resulted in Mr.. Bryan's
silence on this point, but Mr. Bryan
wants TO get back to his individual trea-
ties by the United States for peace with
each nation. The Wilson league plar
scraps all the Bryan treaties. and Bryan
therefore does not relish the new plan.
Speaker Clark. the President under.
stands, Is against some OF the basic
features OF tho league plan. He oppose;
ha that 0iVaa (SFaaf RFtt1in 4
majosSsG contEe1a md takes fraxs-sDhe
United States the privilege of declaring
war on any nation wrongfully imposing
on her. II would not surprise the Presi-
dent, the Senator said. II both Mr. Bryar
and Speaker Clark were TO stump the
country against the league plan.
Counts on Taft and Lewis.
The campaign which the President
wants followed Is to organize at once a
national publicity and educational cam
paign to Offset the increasing criticism
OF the league covenant, according to the
Senator's who are acting as spokesmer
for him. AS he put II he does not want
tho campaign. critical as 1t is, tc
languish for lack OF generals. The Pres
ident counts on William II. Taft "tr
proclaim the doctrine to the Republi
cans ana on senator JhT1ltb nam l$eNlS
his former representative IN the Senate
TO act as his spokesman 'in appeals tc
the Democrats"
The President desires that Senator
Lewis and Mr.. Taft address as many
non partisan gatherings as possible. Be
sides these two personally authorized
spokesmen" the President wants al
many others as possible to saturate tht
country with sentiment for the league
He suggests that college professors anc
ministers be persuaded TO take up til,
fight In colleges and pulpits from coas'
TO coast What the President describe;
as "the literary and church element
| must be made interested.
! TShe Important change in the Presi
dents sAitude Is the fact that he him
/ self Is now willing 10 SEQ the ieasu,
covenant altered. II Is noted that MIR
| Taft suggested changes In the mrs
I signed statement he made after tn,
! Presidents departure, which IL indicativ,
! in itself OF the Presidents readiness L
alter the league constitution