The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-03-08
Speaks to Audience of 5000 Per-
sons in the Metropolitan
Opera House.
HITS CRITICS OF COVENANT
Declares They Evidently Have Not OBJ
served the Temper of the World or
of the Boys in Khaki-Fre-
quently Interrupted by
Applause.

New York March 6-President Will
son sailed on his second voyage to
France determined, as he said in his
Metropolitan opera house speech here,
mot to come back till it's over over
there"
The transport George Washington
bearing the presidential party left the
Hoboken pier at 8:15 a. m.
A company of marines stood guard
at the pier and their bugler sounded
attention as the automobile carrying
Mr.. Wilson and his wife drove up.
The chief executives departure was
marked by a simplicity which contrast
ed with the noisy demonstration CIV
en- him when the George Washington
carried Mr.. Wilson from American wa
tiers on his first journey to Paris last
December
Wilson's Greet Yanks on Troopship.
AS the George Washington passed
the Statue of Liberty she met the
transport Sierra coming in with re-
turning troops. The president and
Mrs. Wilson waved to the home-com.
ing fighters. The Sierra dipped her
flag and the George Washington re-
piled.
The cry There's the president
ship, RING over the Sierra decks alad
soon the ran was Tined With dou gliboyS
who waved their hats and cheered
Justify.
Says People Favor League.
Before he left here ON his return tc
Paris President Wilson told an au
dience of 5000 persons in the Metro
politan opera house that he was con
WINGED that the majority of the people
were in favor of the league of nations
The league, he asserted, is the only
means of assuring permanent peace
1t Is meant, he said. as notice to al
outlaw nations that they must not at
tempt any such enterprise as Germany
had attempted.
Mr.. Taft, in his speech, Endorsed the
presidents plans for league of ma
tons. The practicability Of the pro
posed covenant was explained by Mr.
Taft. The boycott, he asserted, would
be an effective weapon against any
nation refusing to abide by decisions
of the league.
The Monroe doctrine, Mr.. Taft said
had been subjected to many varying In
terpretations. @
II have no objection to putting into
the covenant of the league reserva
ton as to the Monroe doctrine if VIZ
can only find out what it isl
What the President Said.
The band struck up "Over There
as the president stepped forward tC
speak.
"My fellow citizens. l accept the in
timation of the air just played; will
not come back Till it's over, ovel
there (Applause.) "And yet | pray
God in the interests of peace and Of
the world that that may be soon. Gap
plause) The first thing | am goine
to tell the people on the other side Of
the water Is that an overwhelming
majority of the American people is III
favor of the league OF nations. Gap
plause) I know that that is true.
have had unmistakable intimations Of
1t from all parts OF the country an6
the voice rings true in every case.
account myself fortunate to speak here
under the unusual circumstances Of
this evening. am happy to associate
myself with Mr.. Taft in this grea
cause. (Applause.) He has displayed
an elevation Of view and a devotion t
public duty which is beyond praise
(Applause.) And am the more happy
because this means that this Is not ,
party issue. (Applause.) No part,
has the right to appropriate this issue
and no party will in the long run dart
oppose 1t. (Applause.)
eve have listened to so clear ant
admirable an exposition of many O.
the main features Of the proposed GOV
enant of the league of nations, tina
1t is perhaps not necessary for me t
discuss in any particular way the con
tents Of the document. will seel
rather to give you its setting. d,
not know when have been more i'm
pressed than by the conferences of tn,
commission set up by the conferenc,
OF peace to draw up covenant TO
the league Of nations. The represent
a,ives of fourteen nations sat aroun,
that board-not young men, not mel
inexperienced in the affairs of thei