The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-07-14
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

tons in Europe when America entered the war; the
duct of Americans in the war; the condition of Europe
as result Of the war; and Americas present duty to-
ward Europe was general resume admirably compre-
hensive and breathing the spirit of good will. 1t
piece of generalization worthy of mind that keeps it.
self above the distractions of details There sign
of defiance in the address. The President spoke as
though he took for granted that the would share
in his views and approve without question the work of
the peace conference.
The fact that President Wilson confined his address
condensed of conditions and proposed RENE
dies so free from detail and argument to make it
seem almost perfunctory, is good indication that he
foresees long and arduous struggle the accept
ance of the league Of nations it stands in the treaty
He did not waste any good ammunition in the opening
address, which was nothing more than opening gun
intended to find the range He could not go into detail
with proprety for officially the senate had been denied
the privilege of seeing the treaty and the President
in the technical position of laying sealed and unknown
document before the senate.
AS matter of fact however the treaty and the
nant are widely known in the United States and have
received scrutiny that has brought out in clear light
many points which in apparent conflict with the Con-
stitution the traditional attitude of the American peo
pe and the monopoly enjoyed by the people in direct
ing the policy of their government The people, the
press and the have discussed of these mat
tiers quite fully and proftaby 1t is not fair to the
President expect him to be acquainted in full detail
with the facts brought relating to the vitality import
ant question of American relationship to the league Of
nations for he has been busy in assisting to relieve
Europes desperate needs and in formulating the genera
principles of the peace and the league.
The league of nations applying to the whole worl6
is question and the league of nations applying
ne United States is another question Each nation
consider the league proposal from its point of view
That is what the United States has been doing, with
penetrating thoroughness The result of this American
provisions of the covenant and must be treasured by
further information before they will favor unqualified
atifcation They may have expected this information
of it, from Mr. Wilson Friday but the President
wisely confined his first address to general statement
1t is not through selfshness that the American people
help the European nations. The Presidents eloquent
reference to the nvgoraton of European morale by the
of American troops and his frequent reminder
that America must desert Europe not lost upon
the people They heartily agree with him. The question
not whether the United States shall stand by Europe
but how it best perform the duty of friend in need
No voice in the United States, far aware,
bao- r..
stance to needy nations.
President Wilson did not lay before the senate the
proposed treaty with France but will do so on special
occasion The projected treaty has been made public by
France 1t binds the United States to come to the i'm
Mediate aid of France in of unprovoked assault upon
France by Germany Its terms require that it shall be
approved by the council of the league of nations we'll
is by the senate This provision necessarily holds the
atifcation of the treaty in suspense while the senate
considers the main question of American participation
the league If the senate should make such reserva
ions as would deny to the league any jurisdiction
he United States government established by the Con-
tuition the treaty of France would have to be amended
y striking out the provision requiring approval by the
ounci of the league.
As to the principal purpose of the projected treaty
he obligation to make in case France should be at
acked-it cannot be said that public opinion in this
ountry has crystazed the subject The people will
lot leave France in the urch if she should be attacked
hat is certainty But whether they willing to bind
themselves in contract which presupposes the meeting
# the minds of two nations to Americas duty and
ction in certain contingency or whether the people
refer to retain their full freedom to act according to
heir best judgment in befrending France, has not
ct been made clear.
The Presidents address in high and courteous
well BETTING the dignity of the nation the occasion
nd the subject We hope the discussion that is coming
ill initiate the Presidents example in this respect