New-York tribune., 1919-07-01
The Presidenl's S Return

The distinguished journeyer from
Europe, gazing on waters where many
dreadful things were done, especially
when passing where the bones Of the
Lusitana dead strew the bottom,
would be inscnsible indeed if not moved
by deep emotion. Nor Will his feelings
subside, although taking different d-
rection. when he sees Libertys statue.
Let us raise standard to which,
said Washington, the good of all coun-
tries may repair" Never more than
row Was America called on to be true to
her mission and TO present an example
that shall make for the healing of the
nations.
The President has had the advan-
tage that comes from contact with
great men in the handling of great
affairs. Il is to be assumed he has
broadened and grown-is something
less of a professor who studies prob
lens in vacuum and something more
f statesman who sees ideals against
TIE background Of realities
American public men get but little
aiming in concrete internationaIism,
nd that he was like others in this re
srect President Wilson showed by his
willingness to trust in formulas; only the
inexperienced think infinite complexity
can be reduced to simple rule.
During nearly seven months man
naturally Of a monastic mind has been
forced t. consider the raw material
cf statcsmanship-to deal with and
reconcile men of every kind Of view.
This experience has brought, it may be
assumed, many changes.
The spirit the President brings back
is important not only to this coun-
try bat to the world and to the future
Of mankind IS he returning free of
all partsanship? Is lie willing to for
get that he has been q party leader
and remember only that he is the Presi-
dent? If there IS open and honest dis
= course, If there is no attempt to cap
talize for personal or party benefit the
war or the peace, partisanship will not
long survive on either side. Some may
be willing TO keep up the wrangle, but
their influence viii be negligible.
The differences as to the su0stan-
tive features Of the peace are prac-
tically nil. The great majority seems
disposed to accept the peace paper
as written. There is general agreement
in favor Of the league of peace idea The
controversy has apparently narrowed
down to the question Of whether the
covenant shall say plainly what its
friends contend it already says bv
necessary implication. Place the Root
reservations and the Taft explanations
of the covenants meaning side by side
and the two statements are practically
IDENTICAL
This will quickly appear if there is
cessation of comparing rhapsodies, and
if there is an abandonment Of al
attempt to deny to the Senate any
real participation. Half the trouble
the covenant has met has been be
cause it has been presented as it was
not, and the other half because the
constitutional advisers If representa-
tives of the Senate had been mem
bers Of the peace commission, as here
tofore, or if Senators had not heard
themselves characterized as men Of
pygmy minds satisfactory adjust
ment Ir.rh- have been reached long ago.
The principal conclusions reached by
the Prcaident at Paris meet with
hearty approval. He did not persist
IN the policies he seemed to favor
when he departed. Maybe he never
favored them. Maybe he changed his
mind. Whichever the explanation, the
public is concerned only with the re-
suits. Little disposition to oppose cap
tiously is disccrnible. The Prcsi-
dent is to determine whether the
is to be harmony. 1t still suits
the partisanship Of some to circulate
false charges Of partisanshp, but hap
ply no one can make it partisan to
bold, for example, that it should be
made clear whether the Monroe Doc
tine is abandoned or not.
The country haa indicated its de-
sire TO join league OF nations; it
has indicated that it deems the COW
enant az Of sufficient value TO war
rant it's ratification; it has also indi-
Gated it regards it an highly important
TO clear up all ambj2uities a. to what
IL Ii we ylc1ve ourselves 70 do