The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1919-10-04
MILLIONS ACCLAIM WILSON 40
HE SPEEDS AoRose
THE LAND.
few ASK FOR CHANGES
Majority Feel That President's Guild
anee Should Be Held-He Regards
Pact AZ Sure to Come Coon.
(By Mt. Clemens News Bureau)


Aboard President Wilson's Special
Train-From the Capital at Washing
ton to the far Pacific coast the Presi-
dent OF the United States has Jour-
neyed on the most unusual expedition
ever undertaken by a chief executive
of the nation.
To discuss national questions, many
presidents have toured the land; but
Mr.. Wilson is laying before America
q question which affects the whole
world-the question of whether or not
we are to join in the League Of Ma
tions; whether we are to forget our
former isolation and share with the
other peoples of the earth the respon-
sibilities Of maintaining civilization
and preventing. as he says we can do,
future warfare.
Between the capital and the coast
the president made fifteen speeches
and half dozen brief talks. All of
100000 fellow citizens listened to him.
Several millions had the chance to see
him. and apparently everyone wanted
10 see him. from those who thronged
the streets Of the cities and towns
where he stopped, to those who came
to the railside or stood at little flag
stations in remote places. knowing
their only reward could be feeting
glimpse and wave of the hand.
He has met and talked to all types
OF citizens-to men big in the bust
ness. financial and professional worlds,
to farmers and mechanical workers.
to Indians and cowboys and foreign
born herders and rangers, to soldiers
and to mothers who lost soldier-sons
in the late war;
What do they all tell him? unani-
mously they say they want peace
definitely settled, they want no more
wars, they want the League of Ma
lions, and most of the American peo-
pie. 1t may be fairly said, tell the
President they want the League Just
as it is, without the reservations or
amendments which certain senator's
have insisted upon. The majority of
citizens say to those who interview
them on this tour:
Woodrow Wilson guided US rightly
before and during the war with Ger
many. We entered that war, every
one agrees. to end all wars. He says
the league can do that. We want to
do that, so let US keep on trusting him
and get the league into operation as
soon as possible. Forget politics."
Most Americans encountered on the
tour have forgotten politics. Repub.
lican Governors and Mayors have in
troduced the President to his audi
ence; the Major part Of the local COM
mittees which have met him have
been Republicans. They have all said:
I'VE are nothing but Americans, Mr..
President"
Mr.. Wilson's arguments for the
league. briefly summarized, are those:
There can be no peace, either now
or In the future, without 1t. There
can only be regrouping Of nations
and a new Balance of Power" which
Is certain to lead to war. There can
be no war in the future, with the
league in existence, because no single
nation would defy the united rest of
mankind, and II It did, 1t could be
brought to terms by an economic |
boycott. and without the use Of arms.
There can be no reduction in the |
cost Of living until the league Is es-
tablished, for nations will not 60 |
ahead with peace time production un. |
til they know that peace is definitely
assured and that production Of war
material Is no longer necessary.
There can be wonderful prosperity,
with - league In existence, for rel
atoms Of labor and capital all over
the world will be made closer and
more friendly, and the worker will re-
ceive a fairer share Of what he pro-
duces.
These declaration of the president,
logically and eloquently put, have left
his hearers thinking and thinking
deeply. And then Mr.. Wilson has
pointed out, the people themselves, as
from senators and politi-
clans, seem to want Just what the
president wants, which is America for
leadership
Quite as unusual as the purpose of
he cross country ,ur Is the manner
n which it is being carried out and
he completeness of the arrange
nents on the nine car train which Il
gearing the party.
At the rear is the private car May
lower occupied hy the President and |