Evening star., 1919-05-03
|S0UTH CALIFORNIA
LEANS TO LEAGUE
Los Angeles Times, Influen-
tiaI Republican Paper.
Backs Covenant.
PRESIDENT is POPULAR
BY DAVID LAWREN CE.


Southern California. one is persist
emily told. differs from northern Cali
fornia in everything from topogra-
ply to politics. But in the quality of
it's enthusiasm for and interest in the
league of nations this section of the
state reveals no distinguishing marks
of dissent with the program outlined
in Paris for the betterment of the
world.
Rather might It be said that opin-
league here than elsewhere. Such an
influential republican newspaper like
the Los Angeles Times. owned by the
late Gen. Harrison Grey Otis. has been
unswerving in it's support of the cove
nant, even when it was rot yet
catering somewhat to that portion OF
the Irish American population which
mistakenly assumes the league VIII
oblige the United States to render
active aid to Great Britain in the
event of an Irish rebellion. are con-
ducting negative campaign against
the league by emphasizing an Amer
lea FRS 6ortriue that apuea..s to those
who either are unaware of the ter
rfl,ie plight of Europe or who have
net yet learned that war over strict
1y European affairs can bring about
an invasion of American rights and
disturb the peace of the whole world.
Fail to Analyze Situation.
Many people have not yet taken to
heart the lessons of the late war and
assume that the United States can re-
turn to a policy of isolation and neu-
trality in world affairs and wait again
for a direct transgression of her
rights before recognizing common
menace. but the large body of the
people here are not of that opinion.
They have not analyzed the league of
nations covenant as lawyers would.
but they have analyzed what war is.
and anybody who imagines the people
have acquired any tremendous en-
thusiasm for military employees as
result even of the spectacular
achievements of our Army in France
is much mistaken.
Only a fortnight ago there was
gathering of the local branch of the
Sons of the Revolution. Some pres
ent were opposed to the league. Many
influential men in California AFFAIRS
were present. A major of infantry
Just returned from the Argonne bat
ties in France made plea for the
league of nations that won the day.
He pictured the war he had been
through and the sacrifices and hard
ships which were inevitable in war.
He begged that future generations be
not asked to endure what our men
and the men of other nations had just
endured. There was no argument aft
er that.
Senator .Johnson's Position.
Senator Johnson of California has
been inclined to oppose the league
because it might benefit Europe more
than it does America. Mr.. Johnson's
criticisms have great weight in Cal
ifornia for he is by far the most
powerful political personality in this
state. and his objections are recog-
nized as sincere. He is understood to
feel that the taint of Imperialism and
territorial selishness is upon most
of the European powers, and that
America should not mingle further in
such company. But on the other hand
he has commended Mr.. Wilson's de-
nunciation of secret diplomacy in the
Italian controversy. The two are not
inconsistent.
Mr.. johnson would probably not OBJ
ject to a league of nations il American
standards of justice and ideals OF
unselfishness were to be the guiding
of international intercourse
Maybe they will and may
be they will not. In situation. how
herself inextricably tied by CONNER
cial bonds. If not by sentimental re-
gard for other nations in distress to
the other countries of the world. the
opportunity for American sta1Hards
to prevail is inquest ionably greater
in an international society in which
the United States has a powerful
voice than in a scheme of things in
which she solids herself aloof. On
this ground many people in California
believe Senator Johnson will eventu-
ally be found voting for the league
covenant because they do believe he
is sincerely anxious to cast his vote
for movement that may bring peace
to the world rather than for the re-
turn of the United States to a policy
of aloofness. which. in 1917, was
proved incapable of preserving peace.
Have Confidence in President.
President Wilson is much more pop
ular in Southern California than one
would expect judging from the in
tensity of opposition in other parts
of tie country. The democratic party
is hardly popular and hopes for a re-
publican victory in 1920 run high. But
confidence in Mr.. Wilson's integrity
and a sympathy for the size of his
Job are most frequently mentioned by
plain people as reasons why they
would just as soon vote for him
again il he were a candidate
OF course, in the clubs and among
business men. opponents of the Presi-
dent are numerous, but his champions
are by no means scarce, as they are
in the clubs and business organiza-
tions of the United States further
east. Mr.. Wilson has a resiIiency in
politics that battles explanation, and
the republican managers who think
they have California tucked away in
their vest pockets and are counting on
naming Senator Harding or somebody
else of the choice of Senator Penrose
are apt to be as much surprised in 1920
as they were in 1916 by the antics of
California.
Men Of the caliber and vision of
Senator Kenyon of Iowa are more
likely to gain support here and of
course. the redoubtable Hiram John
son. who would sweep the whole Pa
cific coast region.
Views as to Gen. Wood.
Gen. Leonard Woods name is fire.
quently projected by progressives. es-
but one editor of an influential re-
publican newspaper in this part of
the state. which proba bly, would sup
port him. too. If he were nominated
insisted to me that the American
people would never elect a man who
lisieal platform" He had reference,
of course. to the oft-repeated charge
that the democratic administration
kept Gen. Wood from going to
Europe.
Much is heard of Gen. Woods
is commonly known that Gen. Per-
shing himself eliminated Gen. Wood