Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1919-02-28
WILSON BEGINS
BATTLE FOR LEAGUE
President Gets Tremendous
Ovation In Boston
NO DOUBT OF VERDICT
Tells Audience He Welcomes
Challenge of Critics
TRUSTED BY WHOLE WORLD
Parade From Pier To Hotel After
Landing From Liner Like
Triumphal Pro
cesslon.
TRUSTED BY WHOLE WORLD

Boston, Mass. - Following tre-
mendous reception by the people of
Boston, President Wilson at Me
chanics' Han took up the battle for
league OF nations.
His speech, the frst direct answer
to opponents Of the league in the Sem
ate. was planned to lay the back
ground for American support Of his
program.
Pending his audience with eonsres-
sional leaders. the President is not at
tempting to go into details Of the
league merely showing why he re
CARDS it necessary and what he be-
lieyes will be its ultimate effect
The old building was crowded to the
top gallery before the President ar
rived. At the head of each isle stood
an army officer, naval officer and
Red Cross nurse, silent and solemn,
and most Of the music was OF sub
dued nature. so there was an atmos-
phere of gravity rather than of
patriotic excitement.
Mechanics Hall was surrounded by
troops, and the credentials Of all those
entering were carefully scrutinized by
half dozen guards. Automobiles were
turned back a block from the building
Pictures of Washington, Lincoln,
Roosevelt and Wilson were hung over
the platform. The Presidents place
was beneath sounding board. Red,
white and blue predominated in the
decorations.
Before the President started talk
ing Mayor Peters made brief speech
of welcome
A salute was fred as Wilson entered
the hall He was given a deafening
ovation, rising from his seat twice to
bow to response.
The Presidents speech in full is as
follows:
"Goyernor Coolidge. Mr.. Mayor, Fellow
Citizens
Il wonder If you are half as glad to
see me as am to see you. Gap
plause), "a voice, you bet). 1t warns
my heart to see great body of my
fellow-citizens again, because in some
respects during the recent months
have been very lonely. indeed, without
your comradeship and counsel and
tried at every step of the work which
fell to me to recall what | was sure
would be your counsel with regard to
the great matters which were under
consideration.
II do not want you to think that
have not been appreeiative of the
extraordinarily generous reception
which was given to me on the other
side, In saying that It makes me very
happy to get home again. l do not
mean to say that was not very deeply
touched by the cries that came from
the great crowds on the other side
But want to say to you in all honesty
that felt them to be call Of greeting
to you rather than to me.
81 did not feel that the greeting was
personal. had in my heart the over
crowning pride Of being your repre-
sentative and of receiving the plaudits
Of men everywhere, who felt that your
hearts beat with theirs in the cause of
liberty. There was no mistaking the
tone in the voices of those great
crowds.
Il can't tell you the inspiration that
came from the sentiments that came
out of those simple voices of the
crowd. And the proudest thing have
to report to you is that this great
country OF ours is trusted throughout
the world.
81 have not come to report the pro
ceedings or the results of the proceed
ings Of the Peace Conference; that
would be premature. l can say that
have reeeived very hannv impressions