The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-13
Can President Wilson Swing
Kansas to Covenant.
State Looks Forward to the
Speech at Wichita.
CAPPER ON A PENDULUM
Back and Forth the Senator
Follows Sentiment.
His Action on Treaty Is Noted
With Interest.

When President Wilson speaks in
Wichita September 26. he will under
take the Job Of reconverting Kansas to
the League of Nations plan. Kansas
apparently has changed from a frank,
slightly interested favoritism for the
covenant to square toed opposition
and open hostility. Because OF the
change In sentiment, which has been
apparent to many observers, effects OF
the visit OF the president to Kansas on
his present speaking tour will be care
fully observed by men in public af-
fairs.
The presidents trip to Wichita will
be his first visit to Kansas since his
speech in Topeka in early February.
1916. At that time the president
came to Kansas to convert the state to
Preparedness. Kansas was not luke
warm on the subject. She was hostile
70 a naval armament and to an in
Creased army. And she didn't hesi-
tate to testify whenever opportunity
developed. Topeka gave President
Wilson one OF the coolest receptions
Ne has ever known. But Kansas
swung to preparedness and Governor
Capper. who Haunted his opposition
- the face OF the president. swung
with the tide in his home state.
n start the change in Kansas before
the war which concerns observers at
this time. There Is much interest in
Political circles as to the effect which
the presidents visit may have on the
hate delegation IN Washington.
Trying to Turn Kansas.
D. Since the covenant became a ques-
ton for general discussion. practically
all propaganda work in Kansas has
been in an effort to turn the states
Sentiment against the pact. 1t was
d sort Of "bracing up" exercise
which was staged for the benefit OF
arthur Capper. Junior senator. Sena-
Tor Capper went to Washington fair
" determined to support the covenant
and openly avowing his purpose. SEN
Stor Curtis started and finished with
The crowd which demanded safe
Guards.
II In a little more than three months
Kansas hns seemingly changed its at
tftude toward the covenant and Sena-
tor Capper is out fatty and openly
for all OF the reservations proposed
by Knox-Lodge-Joh -Borah and
other covenant opponents. The fact
that Senator Capper has changed is
significantly beyond the fact that the
Wilson opposition has gained another
vote in the senate. 1t means there has
been a revolt in Kansas. No member
of congress is in closer touch with his
constituency than Senator Capper.
And when he changes front the wise
men in Kansas politics know there Is
a reason. They know the -tempera-
ture Of the Kansas voters has taken
a downward turn.
Opposition To Covenant.
Reports which have been coming to
Topeka for several weeks have indi-
Gated n growing opposition to the
covenant. Yet the states real interest
in the issue did not become apparent
NJ eFa ~ hi
ern speaking tour.
In 1915-16 IL was Governor Capper
who helped to mould the Kansas senti-
ment against preparedness. 1t was a
hall filled largely with farmer con-
Veution delegates-and Capper ad-
herents-who occupied the auditorium
when President Wilson made a most
wonderful appeal to the nation to pre-
pare for the coming emergency. 1t
was Governor Capper who had in
troduced the president and declared
his hostility to the executives plan.
but asked Kansas to be respectful and
hear his message.
And n few weeks later the sentiment
in Kansas began to change. Governor
Capper changed with 1t. Now Presi-
dent Wilson is returning to the state
70 direct. II possible. 4 new line of
thought for the voters.
speaking in Wichita, the president
will be In the heart of the Democrat
stronghold OF the state-the Eighth
congressional district. Hundreds of
Kansas Democrats will go to Wichita
for the meeting and his party leaders
and workers are certain TO stage a
Big demonstration.
But the real interest in Kansas will
not center in the reception which the
Democrat leaders may give. The
Kansas Interest is in the presidents
ability to turn back a sentiment which
IN this state has seemingly been turned
against his league proposal.