The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-10
OMAHA FAILED
TO COMPREHEND
THE PRESIDENT
CONFINED From Flrst Pase)


ratified because they somehow believe
he may shatter a precedent and run
for a third term. Those who think the
league will be out OF the way in a few
months 80 ahead IN confident support
Of the league, feeling that they win
have plenty Of time to show their COM
munitteS that they have not swallowed
wisconsin hook, halt and sinker, just
because they want to see the league OF
nations established.
I was told by a Democrat OF nation
al prominence, in Iowa, that most Of
the Republicans who voted for Mr..
Wilson in 1915 had gone back 10 the
fold and that mistakes in Washing
ton had turned away some stanch
Democrats.
It Is true that Republicans predomi-
nate on the reception committees as
Mr.. Wilson moved westward and he
helps to relieve those individuals of
future embarrassment by stressing his
own political disinterestedness and nom
partisan viewpoint toward the league
issue, But IL Is clear that the league
OF nations in Iowa and Nebraska Is
getting wholesome support from Re-
p%uhliCans in spite Of the president
rather than because Of him. Many
men told me they thought Il undignified
Of the president to characterize sena-
tors ms "contemptible cutters" Not
that some Of the men who have been
lRmbasting Mr. Wilson didn't deserve
such epithets in return for the un-
kind things and ugly imputations
which they have been thrustlng at him,
but somehow they do not expect the
president to DESCEND to the level Of his
extreme opponents.
On the other hand, put up or shut
up gets a big hand everywhere and
the hit 'em hard kind Of speech makes
a favorable impression with the crowds
who are Immediately under the spell
Of the president. Read in cold type,
however. as the great majority Of
Americans are getting the speeches,
the ultimate impression Is certainly
not a good one Judging from the effects
70 be found in Omaha.
The president himself comes in for
much praise as the crowd files out. l
overheard mpny OF the passing re-
marks. what wonderful English,
what a magnificent flow Of language
how easily he talks on the faces OF
his auditors, too. are smiles as oc-
casionally the president uses a verna-
cular phrase. They seem pleased to
learn that the man whom they had
grown to believe was n recluse knows
the phrase OF poker or the slang Of
colloquial speech. They are flattered
as he says II owe a report OF what /
did only TO YOU" And they cheer him
70 the echo when he oXclaims, II would
consider myself reoreant 10 every moth
or and father, every wife and sweet
heart in this country, II / consented to
the ending Of this war without n guar-
Antee that there would be no other"
But they look on with q sort OF inn
pressed wonder as Mr.. Wilson with
dramatic touch declares, "If | felt that
/ personally in any way stood In the
way Of this settlement I would gladly
die that II might be contaminated, be-
cause ] have a vision that II this thing
should by some misshap not be ac-
complished, there would rest forever
upon the fair name Of this people a
stain which could never be effacad."
One would think that emotional APP
peal OF this sort would stir men TO out
bursts of fervent approval. Certainly
Mr.. wilson's oratorical powers are
extraordinary. But It seems II there Is
a natural reaction nowadays to all pa
triotic loans speeches and exhortations
to sacrifice but the old Fourth OF July
stuff doesn't get the gatling gun APP
plause 1t used to get.
And while men and women leave the
halls convinced that Mr.. Wilson Is
working for a great and good cause
~diffedence between mild reservation
lists" and unqualified supporters OF the
covenant and they are not bestlrred to
20 out and worry over the possible fall
Of the republic II some senators in
sist on reservations which the presi-
dent himself claims are merely o
: change In language, but not in mean
ing, MIR. Wilson hasn't defined very
clearly the issue as between himself
and those who disagree with him except
as to the extremists who want to de-
feat the whole treaty among the pro-
fessionaI Irish and others who are being
worked up to fever heat OF opposition
by big pages Of advertising.
With the extreme opponents, one
finds ne patience. With the delay In
handling the treaty, n finds similar
Irritation but the apathy toward Mr.,
Wilson appears to be due to much more
vital interest In domestic problems as
well as an absolute agreement with
what has seemed to the majority OF
people of this section obvious from the
start and therefore not worth arguing
about, namely the creation OF an inter
national concert Of power to make Ger
many behave and prevent another
world war.