Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-22

very heart of mankind II there was
doubt in the minds of statesmen
such doubt certainly did exist-as to
the manner in which the American
would be received by the European
peoples, it was banished By his visits
to France, England and Italy.
The masses took him to themselves,
and no observer, no matter how cyni-
cal, could have no doubt that in the
eyes of the people the president em-
bodies their hope of achievement and
of desire that has haunted them for
conturios--freedom from oppression
and security from war.
1t is because of what he stands for
rather than for what he is that has
made hts stay il Paris 80 productive
and has buttressed him from the at
tacks OF malignants. who veritably
believed that in the political forum
they could Ignore him by playing upon
national cupidity and lust for power,
the two elements which in one form
or another have actuated all the
other peace conferences In history.
That their calculations went wrong
was due to his singular ability to make
articulate the voice Of vast numbers
who have yearningly sought not only
for expression but for action indica-
tive of their wishes.
His Speeches Iinco-ncsluc.
This was broadly, the speaking task
that President Wilson set before him.
self II IS no stretch of truth to say
he has gone further to advance the
sovereignty of the people than any
one who had previously championed
that cause in peace deliberations. His
speeches have been Lincolnesque not
only in phrase but also IN truth and
sentiment
He has not dogmatized. On the
contrary, he has always shown will
ingness to discard his own and TO
adopt other methods if they led to
the same ends His attitude disamed
antagonism. His fiercest opponents.
such as Premier Hughes OF Australia,
soon perceived they were beating
lanCes not with an individual but with
an immovable force of justice. right
and reason.
President Wilson is distinctly of the
type that remains remote and mac
cessihle to most people, and he must
be Judged by his acts without the
enhancement Of personal appeal He
ties his followers to him not because
of who he is but of what he is.
1t should not be thought that his
n
roses. Each step had to be fought, and
each advance was made after a con-
test Today, while the tone of the
French press is less unsympathetic
than before, there are papers in which
the president Is referred to as an
"idealologist' rather than as an IDEAL
ist. In these journals the impression
Is sedulously conveyed that the sup
port accorded TO the presidents poll
cies is more seeming than real: that
while conversion has been professed
outwardly, practical measures viii in
effect be taken to preserve national
safety, implying that the Wilson texts
make good preachments but not good
practices.
As this is written, President Wilson
is far at sea. lie carries with him the
constitution of the league of nations,
which, though not yet definitely APP
proved, seems certain of approval in
form that will be acceptable to him
There will be minor changes. but the
instrument probably will stand sub
stantially as written. This will be
the outward and visible symbol of his
success.
Poor Mt Explaining.
What the attitude of the presidents
own people will be Is perhaps prob
lematical, but il the American re-
sponse is not altogether favorable the
fault viii not be with tho work the
president has done but with the inap-
titude with which it has been re-
ported The spnesident utterly lacks
skill in faeils publicity. lie permits
doubt and misapprehension to exist
when brief explanation would clear
away confusion. His commissioners
are equally at fault, though TINS is
small surprise, for he wholly domi-
Mates them and they make no move
without his sanction.
AS a result of this policy of repres-
sion. it is quite likely that America has
heen led 10 expect more than the con-
stitution of the lhague ofmations pre-
vides. If the expectation is that the
league will at once and forever erad-
icate war, there is bound to be disap-
pointment
Persistent silence as to the Ameri-
can formula has encouraged opponents
Of the league of nations plan and of
the president. at home and abroad, to
attribute to the plan fantasies Of con-