New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-16
Wilson Mere
Delegate Now
In French Eyes
President Returns to Paris.
Still Commanding Figure,
Not in Prophets Mantle
NeW Yorh Tribune
Special Cable Seruice

Specldt CdOte SerUfce
Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, March l5.-Pres ident Wilson
Is still the commanding figure in the
peace conference, but no longer the
prophet and seer who arrived Decem-
ber 13, 1918. To-day, so far as the
conference is concerned he is in the
ranks, welding more power and in
tiucnce than any other delegate, it is
true, but nevertheless in the ranks.
This is fair statement of the posi-
tion Mr.. Wilson hereafter will occupy,
for much water has flowed under the
Pont Neuf since Paris first acclaimed
him. 1t is not the same France to
which he returns, and, from the view
point of the French people, not the
same Paris.
President No Longer an Oracle
When Mr.. Wilson came the peoples
of Europe were at his feet. He was
the symbol and messenger of that dis
tant land whose millions of men. whose
organizing power, whose amazing abun-
dance of money and materials. had
compelled victory, and he was all pow
erful. His words were heard in that
hush wherewth men Of an ancient era
listened to the oracle of Delhi. He was
hailed as the solver of problems. the
healer of wounds and herald of the
dawn of universal freedom. There was
a gossamer of enchantment about the
figure of Woodrow Wilson, and it was
not as man but as prophet that he
was welcomed. Now it is not as a
prophet but as man that he is re-
ceived upon his return.
Everything becomes known in Paris
sooner or later. Among the things
that came to be known was Mr.. Will
sons sensitiveness to criticism, a sem
sItiveness which nation endowed as
no other is with the critical spirit
found 1T hard to understand. 1t was
told of him that occasionally in the
council chamber at the Quai d'Orsay
he used an arrogance of tone which
Ill comportcd with the spirit of the
fourteen points.
Failed to Understand France
Then, too, he had been expected to
understand, as no other man not of
their race would understand, France
and the feelings of the French people.
But SO little did he understand France
that days and weeks passed, and still
he did not trouble to make that trip
to the devastated regions for which the
people had waited With passionate Gag
erness.
Every man in France awaited that
visit and the splendid burst of indig-
nation which they knew must follow
an actual view of what the Boche had
wrought. They thirsteo ,'or it, and it
did not come. They were hurt to the
very marrow.
Yet, with all this, there was the pro-
found belief that he represented the
whole American people; that what he
said was echoed in every American
heart; that his acts might be taken
indeed, must be taken-as those of
united America. That concept OF 1O0.-
100000 people behind him at every step
gave Mr.. Wilson vast popular author
ity, even after belief in him as the
prophet of humanity began to wane.
Learn of American Opposition
To-day that is not So Enough has
seeped through the censorship to show
there is party of opposition in the
United States, and that this opposition,
very considerable indeed, IL ready to
lay hands even on that Ark of .he Cove
nant, the league of nations itself.
The effect of all this is now apparent.
1t has been noticed that, whereas Mr..
Wilson'S supporters at the outset de-
clared that the league of nations cove
nant, as he took it home with him,
would stand and that nothing would be
permitted to prevail against it, they
are now talking of amendments that
must be made, and the alert French
mind Immediately senses the changes
to come, and makes certain deductions.
The attitude of the French toward
Mr.. Wilson not only has changed, but
it is obvious that they expect him also
to be changed somewhat by his visit to
America They are certain he is am
Continued on neTt pu1c