New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-01

with the masses gives him potentially the
same relation to them that he had to Sena-
tor Smith Of New Jersey and the old
bosses Of the Democratic party in America.
AS he endorsed those old American poll
ticians, can he unhorse those present
European ones, for the European peoples
are restless under their old politicians and
rulers, as the American people were rest
less ten years ago
Thrones at His Mercy
Woodrow Wilson said he would have no
dealings with the iIohenzollerns, and the
Hohenzollens are 10 more. That example
is most unpleasantly and INCREASINGLY
present IN the mind of every member of
dynasty and every politician in Europe
NO European politician is going to let any
unlikely contingency arise in which Wilson
should set himself publicly and aggressive
~ in open antagonism against him.
have it not merely as matter of my
own observation, but upon the Judgment of
the most responsible men in Europe, that
Wilson could probably upset any govern
ment in Europe to-day There is hardly
a throne left in Europe but would crumble
to dust in a day at single kick from
Wilson's boot. Not only this: both the
political leaders and the commercial lead
ers, the whole of the properticd classes.
face the choice, or think they face the
choice. of either the moderate Wilson or
the Bolshev;st Lenine. A wave of Boil
shevism has swept all of Eastern Europe
There are vague strings of it in several
OF the countries Of Western Europe To
accept the moderate reforms proposed by,
Wilson is the best defence against it.
Finally, with the political leaders. the
fnanciers and the commercial classes vii
son has power for the same reason that
gives him part of his power with the
masses He has power for the thing he
symbolizes America. Just IS Wilson is
TO the masses the symbol of the American
eagle and the American flag. to the leaders
he is the symbol of the American dollar
and the American hog. Wilson is in au-
thorty in America-and America has So
per cent of the food, especially the sore1v
needed fats of the American hog, that will
save Europe from starvation this winter
and the coming spring
America, through Wilson, is the source
of the money which alone can save much
of Europe from bankruptcy. America is
the source of the raw materials which
alone can resurrect the stricken and large
~ lifeless industrial structure of Europe.
Now, let US what are the things that
President Wilson can do with his power.
" hat He Can Do
What are the things that he can give
to the masses of Europe that their own
leaders and governments cannot or will
not give them?
First of all, Wilson promises them peace
and they are utterly tired of war.
Second, Wilson's programme for the
peace conference promises them not only
present peace, but permanent peace re-
lease from the burden of CONSUMPTION, of
enforced service in huge standing armies
release from the intolerable burden of
taxation required to build and maintain
great ornaments.
Third, Wilson promises them open diplo-
macy diplomacy in which the peoples them
selves participate and of which they have
knowledge. No more secret agreement by
which their old leaders have bound them to
go to war for causes they do not understand
present events emphasize this point every
day. The publication by the new govern
ment in Germany of the documents which
will show exactly how this present war was
brought about increases the popular dis
gust with secret diplomacy and invisible
government end adds to the longing for
Wilson's promise of open diplomacy
Finally, Wilson's peace programme prom
ises many Of these European peoples the
fulfilment of their most ancient dreams.
the self-determination of small and sub
ject peoples. The promise of fulfilment
to racial aspirations gives life to dying
memories. In the Carpathian Mountains
and along the Dalmatian coast flags so
long suppressed that their very form and
color are almost forgotten are to fly once
more. Old foksongs that have been
handed down from father to son in
secrecy and in peril are to blaze out as
national anthems. 1t is little wonder that
Wilson and Wilson's peace programme an
peal to these peoples with much of the
fervor of the old crusades
That is the situation in Europe on the
eve OF peace conference in which Will
SON and America will be indisputably the