The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-18
Ends Partisanship.

1no president u lnCluenldNy luFuWH
aside all the passion Of p~artisanship
which on past occasions has emblttered
the Republicans to such an extent that
disinterested observers have wondered
how much this phase OF the oontro-
veray was responsible for the prolonged
discussion and delay. That Mr.. Wilson
realizes the nature Of this criticism
when he said he hoped no personal Bit
terness would stand In the way OF an
achievement by America of a great
world enterprise. He sought to deprive
himself Of any special share In tho
making Of the Covenant and gave the
leaders Of the Republican party Of past
decades the credit for advancing the
idea Of q world organization. II was
a welcome note 70 many Republicans
who fell still some measure Of poignant
regret at the partisan character or his
election appeal last fall and the indif-
ference to the leading Republicans In
his choice of peace commissioners 70
30 to Paris.
But the presidents stress on the
CONSTRUCTIVE force" of the Republican
party made the deepest impression OF
all for 1t was only a few years ago
cratic gathering at Indianapolis, up.
braided the Republican party for not
having had "a constructive idea In 20
One might think the president dis
likes to be called inconsistent. Per-
haps he does, But he also doesn't hest
wrong, And he un~hesitatingly admits
4 upon occasion the error Of his ways,
"Don't let facts get you" Is the advice
he has been giving his audiences. APP
piled to things Wilsonian, IT. merely
means admit your mistakes when you
srs CONVINCED you are mistaken stake I'm mne
yincing tho president that he Is really
mistaken, because persistence has often
proved him right.
But the presidents speeches in tht
Northwest, wherein he appealed moi
merely to the rank and file OF the Re
publican party. to support their own ira.
| ditions but a petition to the Republican
senators who favor the treaty with res
epvations which are apologies In them
selves for what may have been said OF
done by the president to wound tn,
feelings of his political opponents
what He Said.
81 hope" he said at Portland, 'yol
will not construe anything that | sa.
as indicating the least lack of respec
for the men who are crtisizing an,
portion of this treaty. must say frank
y that l haven't any respect at a
, lUI DbItlG OlA luEiil, WV WI bNtlSiS 0Al
y1for most Of them ! have reason to hav
respect, for ! have come into close con
I tact and consultation with them an
I they are Just as good Americans as
| claim to be. They are just as thought
full Of the interests of America as
gent as anybody who would address HI
mind to this thing, and my contest wit
them is a contest Of Interpretation, no
o contest of intention. All | have I
/ urge with these men is that they ar
: looking at this thing with too critics
remembering the purpose that every
body knows to have been In the mind
Of those who framed 1t, and that If the
go very far in attempting to internre
0 It by resolutions Of the t%senate, the
may, In appearance at any rate, SUI
~ficiently alter the meaning OF the doct
. ment to make II necessary to take
back to the council board"
: That is the line OF argument III
president put up In Oregon where Sen
k ator McNary, Republican, Is a typics
example Of a senator whose state over
whelmingly favors the league but who's
, support OF reservations has not cor
WINGED the people Of his co%nstituenc
z that he has anything but the friendlies
purposes in mind. Mr.. Wilson'S over
lures to that group are beginning.
J., In the end II is with that group
g | eOmpoRad OF republicans n DeHocral
allke-that he will deal In an effol
doubtless, to secure agreement on i
I few reservations as possible and 0
such reservations as will not gfy
America special exemptions or pl
/ America on an Exceptional footing,
Such a course Mr.. Wilson fears migi
cause other nations 70 want speci
advantages and exemptions and II
whole structure of the league might the
crumble; but unless the program OF Il
wild reservationists u~ndergoes radio
chahges It Is quite likely that Mr.. Wi
> sons ut%terances in Oregon mean thu
he is ready to come to an agteemel
on interpretations even II they are en-
bodied In the ~ratifying resolution, +
clearly they would not be binding {
other powers II placed elsewhere in
IA senate Joint resolution or d~eclaratit
: of the executive.
:" The president is today In Callfornl
where Hiram johnson holds forth. Che
ter Rowell, Progressive party leader al
national committeeman, who owns
newspaper in Fresno, Is an intffla
Z. friend OF Senator Johnson and supper
: cd the latter ~staunchly in his last car
paign, but his newspaper fayors !
League and he himself presided at Y
!, Wilson meeting at San Francisco.
Lii may be inferred that Californla N
lgreasiyss are divided and that Senat
johnson and President Wilson viii fiH
their real battle before the people
ecopyrisht, 1919, by David Lawrsnc'
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