The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-02-24

RESIDENT WILSON LANDS At BOSTON:
HOME FROM PARIS PEACE MEETING

for Mrs. Wilson, too, sounded shrIlly
over the deeper tones OF the mems
voices.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Wilson
went to hIs suite for lunch and rest
before motoring to Mechanics hall for
his speeoh.
Although It had been expected tho
&, ,ocU ,OoO 600 war revenue bill would
be signed In Boston the Indications
early this afternoon were that It would
be signed In Washington Immediately
after President Wilson reaches tho
white house.
Confident Of Approval.
rBy Robert ]. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
BOSTON, Mass Feb. 24-(By
courier from the U. s. 8. George
Washington, anchored in President
roads) President Wilson. returning
to American shores today. Is confi-
dent that congress and the people
win approve participation OF the
United States in a league OF free
nations.
Failure Of America to sanction
such q course would, he believes, be
a great moral blow to the civilized
nations now bending their efforts
towards a just and lasting peace.
The presidents historic journeys
through foreign lands and his WORK
at the peace table have convinced
him that the European nations look
to the United States as the one great
power without selfish interests par
ticipating in the conference. For
the United States to refuse to join
in what he and a majority of the
nations regard as the foundation of
a lasting peace, would. he believes.
break the heart Of the world move
ment for new order OF things.
Hence the president returns to make
a strong effort at convincing the
country and congressional members
of the vital Importance Of the league.
AS the covenant is not in It's final
form, and is therefore not ready Tor
ratification, the presidents work
now is largely informative. His big
fight, IL one proves necessary, Will
come after the Paris conference has
finally approved a league plan and
the peace treaty Is complete, ready
for submission to the United States
senate for ratification.
Then the president will go before
the people, IL necessary. to ask sup
port. But that will probably not De
before midsummer or fall.
While in Washington, the presi-
dent will confer not only with mem
bers' of the senate foreign affairs
committee, but many other members,
according to his present plans. Bar
ring a change in program, he Will
leave for France again March or s.
However, the situation as regards
appropriation bills, the possibility OF
calling an extra session, and the
condition of Premier Clemenceau
(whose death might result in q
change of French government and
resultant delay in peace negotia-
tions), all enter into the inconclu-
siveness Of his plans today.
The presidents return finds what
he regards as the biggest part of his
lob abroad completed-formulation
of q league covenant. Good prog
ress has been reported 10 him by
wireless from Paris on all OF the
conference problems being worked
out by committees in his absence
The greatest work outside formu-
lation Of the league is held by the
president to be a solution of the
russian problem, which, according
to last reports. was still much con-
fused.
Dnroute to the United States on
the George Washington, Ambassador
Francis. who is returning to Wash
iugton to hold conferences with the
house and senate foreign relations
committees, said of the Russian
situation, with which he has been
dealing for three years:
"a reign of terror, instituted by
the holsheviks in order to maintain
themselves in power, was prevailing
in great Russia-or central and
northern Russia--according to last
accounts. The outrages committed
by the bolsheviks are Incredible
ct think it is impossible to restore
peace in Europe with chaos prevail
ing In Russia. In fact, with Germany
comparatively uninjured industrially
and with her army receiving ova-
tions ON It's return to Berlin, / am
persuaded that IL peace is negoti-
ated with disorder or bolshevik rule
in Russia, Germany, with her IA
miliarity with the Russian charact
ter. which she has been studying
and attempting to control for gen.
Grafton or two, will be able to utilize
the immeasurable resources OF the
great country. and IN twenty years
or perhaps decade will be stronger
than at the beginning Of the war
lust ended II SO. Germany, instead
of being defeated. will have gained
a victory out of the war which she
brought on In order to realize the
hope and expectation of 'Dsutsch-
land uber alles,' which all Germans
cherished and that great military
power was compelled to surrenrer