Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-03-05
WILSON AND TAFT MAKE ELOQUENT
 APPEAL FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS
To Rise and Run; They Rise in Their Majesty and Overwhelm Mig and Those Who
 Stand in Way"


 his return to the peace conference, ! President Wilson delivered an ad- dress here tonight at the MetropoIi- tan opera house, urging establishment of lea que of nations. Former Pres ldent Taft, speaking from the same | platform, also outlined his reasons for believing that q league of nations should be formed to prevent future wars.
 Governor smith, of New York, pre- siding at the meeting, introduced 1 both President Wilson and Mr. Taft. i One hour before the doors were thrown open to the few thousands who had been able to obtain tickets, 20 { inspectors from police headQuarters 1 searched the opera house from cellar | to the uppermost gallery, showing evidence of precautions taken to pro- tect Americas chief executive. Roofs l Of buildings nearly were also search l ed
 ! The doors were opened shortly after o'clock and as fashionably dressed men and women, with many repre- ;, sentatves of the army, navy and ma rines, filed down the aisles to their seats, the port of authorization band played patriotic airs. Taft Arrives.
 iMr. Taft arrived at the Metropoli- tan opera house about S:30. After Governor smith and members of the committee jof arrangements had taken their place on the stage, Il l military touch was added by color | guard of overseas veterans, who l marched to the center and presented | cOlors.
 President Wilson arrived at the opera house at S:25 o'clock. He was accompanied by Mrs. Wilson. The president went to the cloak room where he met MT. Taft. Mrs. Wilson was escorted to d box in the first balcony.
 i The president and Mrs. Taft walked upon the stage arm in arm. They were applauded for several minutes The audience remained standing un- tile the president took his seat.
 The president was smiling as he entered the door. It was announced he would meet after the meeting a delegation of Irishmen who wished to present q petition asking self-de- ] termination for their country, after 1 the meeting.
 Change Route of Gar.
 The presidents route from the sta tiOn to the opera house was changed at the last moment, the party driving in automobiles up Seventh avenue to Thirty fourth street and thence up crowds greeted the presidene at the ,iBroadway to the opera house. Large cheers by doffing his hat and smiling 7, A wave of cheers swept over the house as the president and Mir. Taft took the center of the platform. The to all sides of the house. MT. Taft then president stepped forward and bowed then stepped forward and bowed to all sides0f the house. Mr. Taft then stepped forward and acknowledged the cheers. Cleveland H. Dodge call ed for three cheers for President Will son and three more for MT. Taft. They were given with will. Then some one in the house called for three more cheers for the president and the |iauidence burst forth into anIcdher wave of applause.
 CarilsO Sings.
 EnricO CarusO, introduced by Gov ernOr Smith. sang the Star Spangled Banner. Governor Smith opened his speech by paying a tribute to the part the New York soldiers had played in the war
 "The war is not yet won," he said, and will not be until the golden rule is written into the international flaw of the world"
 He introduced MT. Taft as "the man who had worn the purple of the pres ident of the United States and with grace and honor" As President Wilson and ex- President Taft emerged from the room in which they conferred and walked through the thronged wings on the stage, Mir. Taft said: 'I don't know on which side of you should walk. Mir. President" He was on the left and the presi- dent smiled and nodded.
 Taft Greeted Warmly. : Mir. Taft was greeted with loud hand clapping.
 A detail of police stationed at the stage entrance failed to recognize Joseph Humility. the presidents sec retary when the latter appeared with !, dozen members of the presidential party for whom seats had been reserv- !. ed on the stage. MT. Humility was < held up by several patrolmen who crowded back the party. Eventually |, a police captain who recognized him P appeared and the party was permitted g to pass.
 The president began speaking at n 9:50.
 e Mr Wilson was cheered for three - minutes while thu band played "I
 Won't Come Back Till It's Over Over l. There
 t "I accept the invitation the band
 has just played said MT Wilson. T
 will not come back 'till it's over V over there'."
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