Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-09
FROM OTHER VIEWPOINTS .
National Problems
Authoritative Wrters-A Daily Editorial
WITH THE PRESIDENT ABROAD-No. /. 80
j.
Washington

president Wilson'S reception by the
great masses OF the people In Europe
has been described as a splendid per-
sohai triumph. on the one hand. and
as spontaneous tribute of the Old
world 10 the great nation of the new
on the other. Nor Is this an exaggera-
ton. The tour, from the standpoint of
wild enthusiasm and joyous acclaim
might have been staged for n conouer-
ing hero Of old. There were no char
lots drawn by slaves or AppiaE Ways
strewn with gariands or triumphal
arches to greet victorious monarch,
but 1t is to De doubted If any poten-
tate since the beginning OF history
ever received at the hands of three
great nations at single time. an ova-
ton as tumultuous or as Whole hearted
as that accorded Woodrow Wilson. in
Great Britain, France and ituly.
had the privilege OF accompanying him
from the beginning to the end of this
European trip and Of witnessing the
scenes that attended his visit to the
three great allied nations and II Is
without hesitation that j say that this
American citizen was more rapturously
greeted by Englishmen, Frenchmen
American greeted BY his fellow coun-
tryinen. But while the Presidents
tour was. for the most part. success
sion OF shouting and tumult, OF pa
there were many odd and amusing cir
cumstances connected with II. Most
Of them arose from the unfamlltaritv
of the American visitors with European
customs or from u degree Of indincr-
cnce of the Westerncrs to the eXnctions
or court etiquette or ancient ceremony.
Efen so. there Was apparent TO the
observer little real crudeness on the
part Of the Amcrtcans--any OF that
democratic distaSte for pumpous prac-
tees of ofiicia. life on the continent
Least OF all was there moments awk-
wardness on the part OF the President
himself no matter how delicate the
situation in which he was placed
The Presidents po!se and his abso-
lutc sclf-posseSs!on were exhibited
again and again under circums tances
that might to an extent have unnerved
less balanced man. l have IN mind
particularly his appearance In the his-
ccivcd by the Lord Mayor and Council
OF London. Nothing could have been
more ceremon!ous than the staging
Ui as ms tssep,i ,,n The srea, chamber
FORM to the right of the Lord Mayor
sat the scarlct-robcd Aldermen Be
low him were the brilliantly gowned
High Sherins. To the left Of the Lord
Mayor. on the platform and in tho
rear Of him were the brains. the schol-
arship and the statesmanship OF tho
assemblage could have been brought
under single roof anywhere in the
British Isles. There was ar!stocracy
OF blood, aristocracy OF achievement
;mE OF men and women. Into this hail
w oodrow Wilson was ushered He was
led to the throne OF the Lord Mayor
ana solemnly presented 10 that o1ic.ai
ana then he turned to face an enthus-
:aStscaily appiauding crowd Finally
II came his turn 10 speak-to respond
TO the official welcome extended TO
him. and as he stood in the midst OF
this multitude there was not an Amer
!can in the great hall who did not feel
sense OF pride In the head OF his
governments who did not know in his
heart that Woodrow Wilson was the
intellectual peer of any man IN the
chamber and that there would be Just
that degree of force. Of dignity and
ing that would. command admiration
at the hands OF the foremost English
men OF the day. IT may not have been
altogether easy for the President TO
Old. and more.
Another occasion when this poise
ana superb intellectual grace OF the
RESIDENT made n profound impression
conference AT the Quail d'Orsay. The
hrst sitting, although cermonious
enough. was more or less perfunctory.
II was a, the second session that the
nrst important move Of the great world
drama was enacted. Then il was that
the real foundation for league of
nations wns laid, and laid in the pres
World. Presiding over this body was
GcorScs Cleme1cenu. Premier Of
France. To his right sat the President
OF the United States, little further
TO the right Secretary Lansing and a
iittie further still Henry White. On
the left of the chairman sat David
Lloyd George, Premier Of Great Bril-
tain. Facing this group at the two
long tables were the representatives
of more than score of nations. This
was the andience--the Immediate audi
cncc--to which Woodrow Wilson ad-
dressed what is perhaps the most i'm
portant speech of his life-his speech
demanding league OF nations as a.
basis OF peace Every witness TO this
solemn proceeding must have been
conscious OF one fact. namely, that the
President OF the United States was the
actual leader of the peace conference.
and that his personality was the most
potential single influence In the whole