The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-07
ITALY HOPES
FOR new LIFE
Because Wilson Holds Out
That Possibility, He Has
Trust of Masses.
Try Wood McClure.l

least, the visit Of President Wilson
to the pope was the most interesting
of all functions during his stay in
Rome.
Other receptions and visits
though In measure formal, were
not marked by any excess Of cere-
mony. Rome and Italy generally.
have a habit of relaxing forms and
giving a sense OF friendliness and
simplicity at least when the feelings
are engaged as In this case they
emphatically were.
In going to visit the pope, Presi-
dent Wilson passed from an atmos-
phere Of popular welcome and gen.
cral cordiality to the silent court
yards and corridors of the Vatican,
with it's solemn formalities OF medi-
eval ceremonial. The Corriere
di Italia thought the president would
have the impression received by
numberless visitors to the Vatican.
From these heights one domi-
mated the world. 1t Is easy to see
that the pope remains above the
events of the world. One breathes
another atmosphere here"
May Perhaps Be Doubted.
Whether the president did receive
this impression in the sense UNDER
stood by the Corriere, may perhaps
be doubted. Although an attempt has
been made to represent the prcsi-
dent as working on the problems OF
the world In lonely seclusion in his
study. it must be remembered his
reflections follow upon a very di-
rect contact with the world and It's
events, and he has shown himself
particularly anxious to come into
contact with those with whom he
, will share the task OF working out
the immense problems ahead.
Though some of his utterances may
have seemed pontiflcal, he has shown
his attitude Of mind is not SO.
The conversation of the pope and
the president lasted twenty minutes
and 1t is obvious little more than
formal exchange of views took
place, especially as they had to be
made through an interpreter. Mon
| signor O'Hearn, of the American
college. 1t is recalled that in earlier
days many attempts were made to
trace a connection Of the activities
| in Vatican circles with President
Wilson's program OF fourteen points
| which are practically concrete de-
| velopment of the papal note or Au-
| gust, 1917. Many surmises and ru-
| mors always arise from visit OIL
| this kind. A mere mention OF the
questions which have been suggested
as forming the subject OF conversa-
4 ton would have occupied the whole
duration OF the interview.
Italy Suffered MOST
- Affer his visit to the attean, TN
president went to the American
church of st. Paul An immense
crowd gathered around the church
| stopping all traffic. While in tht
church the president received tbs
representative of American. Englisf
and italian Protestant churches. lr
addressing the Italian Protestants
the president repeated his conviction
! that Italy had suffered most or tht
| allies from the war
! have heard much cheering in th'
chambers during the last four years
but I haven't heard any conparapl'
enthusiastic outburst OF APPLAUSE INK
that which greeted the entry or th'
| president. 1t came in waves mrs
| lessening and then being renewed
again and again. 1t had not I'M
extraordinary note or warmth a,i'
affection which distinguished TN
cheers for the Prince OF wales u
August. but it was very dii1eren
company, and one much less inclined
to enthusiasm
Mr.. Wilson's speech was FOLLOWED
with the closest attention ana IL
was frequently interrupted by ap
nlauding murmurs and cheers
E,specially keen interest was arouse'
bv the presidents declaration ina
he had found in the allied statesmen
with whom he conversed, whethe
italian. British or French, what n
described as the will to form an IN
ternational psychology" and IN
reaIimtion of the necessity OF OF
p.nizing a world friendship. Equa
interest was showed in the ~presi
dents decisive condemnation OF an
;dea of irving to form a balance o
power.
, Listeners Responded.
Above all, the feeling OF ms lis
,e,ors seemed to respond to tn
nresident's declaration OF the ne
cessitv of finding something new
basis of international relations
This is, in fact, in spite OF all doupt
ings and all cynical comments III
feeling that seems to grow ana I'M
, more expression with eacn passil,
week. a feeling that out OF the sur
fering. sacrifices and loss there mus
come something new unless hur1ahie
is 10 stand confessed as a failure
Certainly as far as Italy IS con
, cerned as Italy, it Is because M
Wilson holds out the hope or some
thing new and that he is regardeo a
no other man living is regarded to
| dav by the mass of people. There ar
many, of course, who look on M
merely as the representative o, III
great American nation, when thre'
I its weight into the scale al,
brought victory to the side of the al
lies. Others regard him as the rep
resentation of the nation on whoil
for the moment Europe depends ~
ships. food and metal, but 1t IS nc
that way that the simple people re re
gard him. To them he seems lteFalI
one who has the will and power
Law the foundations for bette
world. In spite of hesitations thoS
: who find his ideas impractici al
: even scornful of his "ineehuousLese