Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-09-25
BY ERNEST j. HOPKINS,
r. A. Staff Correspondent.

" VI LAa NAtA
IAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24-Wood-
row Wilson has conquered Senator
Hiram JohnSon's W home town, II
conques was necessary. e..
After the presidents two-day WISH
and three speeches ~analyzing the
q treaty and League of Nations,
1t is unmistakable that the presiaen,
has converted a surprising NUMBER ol
doubters of lukewarm supporters IN
10 ardent champions of immedlat
ratification. 80
In the city that was regarded by the
presidents advisors as the crucial test
of his tour, the question, VIVA &c
you think OF Wilson," meets every
where the answer:
"Great stuff Had my doubts pre-
yiously about Shantung and Britain
six votes. but he settled points
His opponents haven't a thing 10 OF
fer"
sHIRAM'S IN
THE WRONG PEW"
Many add:
Hiram johnson is all right. but
he's in the wrong pew this time"
California probably favored the
League of Nations from the outset. A
poll covering several pic
tlre theatres showed three to one LOT
the league. The Commercial CLUB, a
statewide civic organization, by post
caro- ballot endorsed the treaty 4Sz 10
1876, and the League of Nations, 6o4 70
268. A prominent Republican conn
dentiallv admitted to me that public
sentiment, originally 80 percent Ior
the league, was still 60 per cent Ior
tt-this from an opponent n pelole
Wilson's visit, remember.
been softened. Personally l nnd tne
replies weak and not specific enough
But by going a few steps In the right
direction he has secured a certain re-
suit. No question the president Is d
very, very clever man.
President Wilson stepped into d
oueerly topsy-turvy political mixup
here. The biggest men in the "John-
son-for.president" move are pro-lea-
que and pro-treaty, almost unahl-
mousiy. wilson's main meeting was
presided over by Chester Rowell, pro-
gressiye Republican editor and Jonn-
son's closest friend. OF twelve vice
presidents at this meeting, ten were
Republicans or johnson progressives.
AS an important Johnson-for-presi-
dent leader put the case to me-:
'"The best thing we can hope for ls
that the League of Nations issue Will
be ancient history by next summer.
The people love Hiram, but do not
agree with his stand for impossible
national isolation"
johnson would have faced an Inter
esting task If he hadn't abandoned his
extension Of his speaking tour to Cal1-
fornia.
Here are some summaries Of senti-
ment:
e'4The president hasn't changed my
conviction, but has intensified It: his
arguments are ~invincible. If the
great experiment isn't tried now,
there's no chance till after another
huge war. Over fifty men today nave
said the same thing to me-" said JUS
tice William Lawlor, progressive and
johnson supporter. -
Yet the cards were all stacked to
give the president q hot time here: A
big night meeting attended by 20,oe0
was packed by several hundred IN
territorial ~disturbers. who shouted
down Mayor Rolf and Chairman
Chester Roweii. and kept the presi-
dent standing fifteen minutes before
permitting him to speak.
wilsnn conquered that crowd and
made 1t eat out of his hand. What
accompanying newspapermen termed
the best speech of his entire tour was
his answer to the disturbers.
The president had picked San Fran
cisco as the strategic point to handl