The Meeker herald., 1919-03-22
WILSON AND
TAFT SPEAK
ADDRESS BIG CROWD IN THE
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE
IN NEW YORK.
POWERS Want LEAGUE
PRESIDENTIAL PARTY SAILS FOR
EUROPE AGAIN ABOARD THE
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Western Newspaper Union Views Service
New York, March 4.-On the eve Of
his return to the peace conference,
President Wilson delivered an address
at the Metropolitan Opern House, New
York, urging establishment OF n
League Of Nations. Former President
Taft, speaking from the same plat
form, also outlined his reasons for be-
iieving that league should be formed
to prevent future wars. Governor
Smith OF New York presided at the
meeting.
Governor Smith opened his speech by
paying a tribute to the part the New
York soldiers had played In the war.
1.-THE war 10 not yet won. ne saio.
and will not be won until the Golden
Rule ia written into the International
law OF the world
He introduced Mr.. TAFT as the man
who had worn the purple OF the Pren.
idsnt OF the United states and with
grace ann honor.
A. tho President and ex-President
Taft emerged from the room In which
they conferred and walked through tho
thronHed wings onto the stage. MT.
TAIL 8AlO. 0Ou huoW ou shoS
Of you should walk. MIR. President.
He was on the left. and the President
smiled and nodded. Mr.. TAFT was greet
ed with loud handclappinx.
"a League of Nations covenant 10 In.
dispensabie to the treaty Of peace. u
the war is to accomplish the deciared
purpose OF this nation and the world.
former President William Howard Tart
opera House in an exhaustive discus
sion of the league principles. preceding
the address OF President Wilson.
An adherence to the Washingtonian
policy OF avoiding foreign alliances
ternstionnl status. Mr.. Taft declared.
because the interests of the United
States are Inevitably involved In the
the United States to withdraw from the
project, he asserted, would make the
League Of Nations merely "a return to
the system OF alliances and the bal
renee OF war. in which this country
would certainly be involved. as 1t was
in the present struggle"
The rank and file OF the. American
people are v, s.sndinE o firmly i'm o behind
Smith in presenting the world leader
OF today-the President OF the United
States"
The President began speaking ..
The President declared he was con-
WINGED by unmlstAkabie evidences
from all parts Of the country that the
nation was In favor OF the League Of
Nations.
II am more happy because this
means this Is not a party Issue. he he
oppose IT,
The President said an effective
TsTams .ansn, a9T %e
cannot stand publicity, and II the
League OF Nations We're nothing but
u big debating society 1t would kill
intrigue.
Under the covenant. he said. 1t Is
the friendly right OF every nation to
call attention OF other nations to any
thing which cndangers peace. Germany
never would have gone to war II she
hnd first discussed the situation with
Serbia. he declared.
Il am nmazed-not alarmed. but
nmazrd-that there should be In some
quarters such u comprehensive ignor-
anc. Of the state OF the world" said
Mr.. Wilson. 'rhosc gentlemen do not
know what the mind of men Is just
now. Everybody else does.
II do not know where they have been
c1orcted; l do not know by what Influ-
ences they have been blinded: but I do
know that they have been separated
from the general currents OF the
thought OF mankind.
And I want to utter this solemn
they operate. The great tides OF tn.
world do not give notice that they are
going to rise and run: they rise In
their majesty and overwhelming in
might. and those who stand In the way
are overwhelmed. Now. the heart OF
the world Is awake. and the heart OF
the world must be satisfied.
What are we to say, then. ms 20
futurc7 l think. my fellow citizens
that we can look forward to II with
great confidence. ! have heard cheer.
\Rky NAV ali I mn ~. bal Il. ..t
tho water about the progress that 1,
being mad. In Paris towards the dis.
cusHion and Qualification of great
many difficult matters; and believe
that settlements will begin to be made
rather rapidly from this time on a,
those conferences.
hut what I beiieve-what I know
a. well ar believe. Is this: That the
men engaged In those conferences are
gathering heart as they go. not LOSING
Il: that they are finding community OF
purpose and community OF ideal to ar
extent that perhaps they did not ex.
pect. and that amidst ali the interplay
of influence - because IL Ia infinitely
complicated = nmidst all the Int rplay
of Influence, there is n forward move.
ment which In running towards the
right. Men have at last perceived tina,
the only permanent thing In the world
La the right. and that wrong settle.
ment is bound I" be = temporary set.
tlement-bound to be a temporary set.
Element for the very best reason Of all
ment. and tho spirits Of men Will rebe
against II, and the rpirits of men arr
now In the saddle.
God give US strength and vision &c
do u Wisely God give US the privilege
of knowing that we did IL withou,
counting the cost. and because VIC wer.
true Americans. lovers OF liberty and
Of doing right"
President Wilson went aboard tn,
". q. =. George Washington At 1910;
o'clock this morning with Mrs. Wiisor
and other members of his party. TIL,
EteAmship In scheduled to sail 10,
France at s:i5 n. m. Wednesday.
aa..-A So. -.