The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1919-10-10

opinion, were attributed 20 1ne0vert-
ancss. But presistsnce In such mis-
statements has created . reluctant be-
lief that they are made through a de-
liberate lack Of candor. and that be-
lief Is destroying all faith in his argu-
ments.
In the explanation of the Shantung
agreement, he gave the people erron-
GUS dates. When the truth was made
known, as it was of course immed-
lately, his argument fell flat. to say
nothing Of the effect upon the minds
of all by such tactics.
Again when forced to meet the ques-
ton Of the six to one voting power
given England, he repeatedly declared
that this was Of no consequence be-
cause British Colonies could not vote
in the council of nine, and Americas
single vote was vote where unani-
nous consent was required. That is
now known to be contrary to the fact
by reason of letter signed by the
president himself, together with Lloyd
George and Clemenceau, to Sir Robert
Borden, giving the Canadian premier
assurance that British colonies can
gain admission to the council of nine
by election through the assembly
where majority vote will decide and
where Breat Britain has six votes to
Americas one.
The latest direction given by the
president to his argument" for the
league. that of calling all opposition
disloyal and pro-German Is even more
resented than the receptions regard
ing Shantung and the voting power of
the nations. On the very day that he
made that assertion in California, men
in uniform were leading the unparall-
eled demonstration in the senate gal
leries against the league covenant,
while few days previous a national
convention of the G. A. r., had passed
unanimously a resolution asking the
senate to reject the covenant in toto.
His declaration that the league
alone can prevent the necessity of our
sending troops across the seas again,
was so obviously incompatible with
the known facts that all were shocked
at the audacity of such a Fabrication.
They resented the evident assumption
hat they were incapable Of Discerning
he relation of current news to the
'ase in point. With Americans in ST.
IBERIA, on the Thurman coast, in Ger
many, on the way to Fiume and to
Selesia it was nothing less than an
insult to the intelligence to offer such
an argument.
Besides the effect of his erroneous
statements of fact, the president has
,een far less felicitous in his general
ties and his epigrams than at times
heretofore. At least two of his state
ments made early In his tour have
done his cause more damage than any
thing that has been said by the oppo-
sition. The first was that the league
will permit us to mind other peoples
business" That is an admission that
has tremendous significance because
1t carries with 1t the unacceptable COL
ollery that the league will permit all
other members to mind our business
in return.
The other and even more damaging
statement was his impassioned decla-
ration that the cause for which he Is
fighting the ratification OF the league
and its establishment, is greater than
the government Of the United States.
That is the very thing that has been
most feared about it.
Again, the president in striving for
variety Of argument has challenged
his own contentious. On the same day
he told one audience that the league
would be certain guarantee of keep
ing us out Of war, and before another
audience he charged that the underly-
ing motive of opposition to the league
was fear. The question that naturally
arises is fear OF what?
1t is for these reasons that the pres
ident is proving the most effective
witness against the league Of nations
covenant Lack Of candor, contradict
ton, Inconsistency, impotence, vitu-
peration and the memorable facts of
events have convinced thousands of
his fellow citizens that he is pleading
a bad cause lamely and they are dis
appointed in him and disillusioned as
to the character Of the thing he advo-
Gates.
The hope of America and FOR Amer
lea turns to the senate in this the
gravest hour in the history Of the
country since the union was establish
ed and all men who oppose the treaty,
be they political partisans or oppon-
ents of the president. honestly regret
that at this time they have to turn
from him to seek wise, clear-visioned,
true American leadership.
n NJ n TT