Evening star., 1919-09-29
LAWRENCE GIVES
RESUME Of RESULT
OF TRIP FOR PACT
First Article Of Series Con.
tains Presidents Argument
in Nutshell.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

This is the first of a series Of three articles
anaiyxing the effect Of President wilson Q
servation Of social. industrial and political con-
ditions throughout the trip)
No two correspondents on President
Wilson's train would agree as to the
effect on the Senate Of President Will
sons appeal for an.immedfate ratifica-
tion of. the peace treaty and league Of
nations, but out Of the twenty men
representing newspapers of different
political ecresds the majarity-in fact.
all-would probably agree that In at
least one eCalifornfa-the Presi-
deift not only gottan enthusiastic re-
sponse from the people. but the
friendliest kind OF support from re-
stanchest supporters Of the man
who is the chief opponent Of the
treaty-Senator Hiram johnson.
Puzzling in Other States.
With, respect to many other states
the truth is the issue between those
who favor the league and those who
oppose 1t was so vaguely drawn as to
make-i almost Impossible to say with
certainty how much of the demonstra-
tion for the President was respectful
commendation for the indefatigabIe
labors Of the man while in public Of
flee and how much was an expression
Of support Of the ideas he was ex-
pounding. Street crowds appeared
thusiastic in others and wildly-yes.
almost frantically. glad in other cities
to see the President and do him
honor.
10000 Heard President.
Owing to the limited size of the
halls, auditoriums, theaters and
arenas where the President spoke
relatively few people, perhaps not
more than $4,000. were able to get
within earshot. The great majority of
the American people read Mr.. Will
sons speeches in the newspapers
either in full text or. summary.
At the outset Of the trip the Presi-
on the press association wires. but
later, as he crossed the continent.
only excerpts were sent eastward.
Unfortunately for the President, the
best speeches he made were on the
Pacific coast, from which place, owing
to the three hours difference in time,
afternoon newspapers in the central
briefest accounts. while night speeches
would surely arrive too late for morn
ing newspapers, and thus were hardly
reported at all.
Much Imprinted.
The unwritten rule in newspaper
Offices that a yesterdays happening"
is old news initiated against repe-
tition of the Presidents speeches to
any length in the afternoon newspa-
pers of the next day. So the bulk of
the Presidents argument has not been
published though collection Of these
speeches is being printed in the SEN
ate records and an effort will be made
to have them reach the people as pub
lie documents.
1 said unfortunately for the Presi-
dent" because he made his clearest
arguments while on the Pacific coast.
He made the most effective exposition
of his case only after he got farther
west and seemed to warm up to his
subject and really take cognizance
Of the objections to the covenant
around which public opinion was be-
ginning to crystalline. 1t was not
stance, that he tackled the question
Of why Great Britain should have six
votes In the assembly to Americas 8
one. He didn't touch specifically on
reservations till he reached Montana.
The President was educated as he
went westward. nc lc0tuCu ~udt
pressions had been implanted in the
public mind.
Argument in Nutshell.
In a nutshell, here is the substance
Of the main arguments made by the
President for the passage OF the
treaty and the league of nations.
America conscripted a large army.
raised billions of dollars and sacri-
ficed thousands OF lives not merely
to beat Germany. but to prevent an
other world war erom decimating
civilization.
Nine months would be required by
the terms of the treaty and league for
arbitration or official discussion of in
ternational disputes. During that
period opportunity would surely be
afforded for passions to cool. Had
there been nine days given to inter-
national conference in 1914, there
would have been no war.
Thirty Treaties Now Bind q. S.
America is already bound by treaties
with thirty nations Of the world not
to go to war for one year while dis
putes are submitted to joint COM
missions for discussion. Therefore, in
self protection. America should be
1cantinued a Ninth Page.l