Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-17
NO TIME FOR PETTY POLITICS

them. They will find that the rank and file of the people behind
President Wilson, who is doing his utmost to make future wars impos-
shc and thereby make the world safe for democracy.
President Wilson's achievements in France are worthy of the
highest commendation by every forwardlooking man regardless OF
what party he belongs to. To condemn and criticize the President now
for accomplishing something that many of the leading statesmen OF
the world deemed impossible a few months age, is only to belitle those
who do the criticizing and to make the President stand out all the
greater in contrast.
IT is no secret that leading Republican senators hoped the Presi-
dent would fail in his purpose when he determined to visit Europe IN
the face of widespread opposition. It was nothing to them, appar-
entity, how much the United States was Inundated; they cared not
whether anything definite was accomplished toward bringing about a
permanent peace in the world all they wanted was Woodrow Wilson
defeated and renowned and sent back home a dScredited and broken
1aan.
But President Wilson is returning a victor in diplomacy, just as
the soldier boys r. returning victoS in arms.
On December 2, in his address TO congress just before sailing for
France he closed with these words: 81 shall make my absence as
lraef as possiblc and shall hope to return with the happy assurance
ttat il has been possible to translate into action the great ideals for
which America has striven'
The Presidents hope has been realized. Those who so opposed
the President going abroad to attend the peace conference, the
EVENING NEWS among the rest, now realize why the Presidents
presence was st essential for accomplishing the great purpose Tor
which American boys fought and died.
Under the Presidents leadership America today stands the un-
disputed leader of the world of nations. The American people are
proud of that position and they will have little patience with petty
quarrclous senators whose jealous nature will not permit them to see
beyond partisan politics.
1t is not claimed that President Wilson is Intau1ble lie mas ms
faults he has made mistakes and doubtless will continue to make them
But his achievement in bringing the nations of the world together,
even so far as to merely consider such a world constitution as the Pres
idcnt had the honor to read before the peace conference last Friday isl
.MsaGa4asss5 "a .s stetfa s. e%Honderr1t = - conception end great 2-ssl
possibilities. that it is picayune to dwell upon the faults and erroSSf
the man who brought it about, which, after all, sink into insignifcance
in comparison with what has just been done.
In this constitution of the League of Nations is the great work OF
the coming generation. 1t must be modelled and developed and fash
toned into workable shape to fit the new order of things throughout
The world. The world, today, gives to Woodrow Wilson the credit Tor
having the largest part in producing this epoch-making document. 1t
is for us here in America, then, to forget our personal likes and dis
likes and get behind the one big thing that is to transform the world,
and help lift and construct rather than pull down and destroy.
tits perfectly proper that the United States senate should debate
this new tentative constitution for a League Of Nations; the doubtful
points must be brought out and explained the conflicting sections must
be corrected. But this work must be done in a spirit of harmony and
good will. 1t must be done in a way that will aid the President in the
great work he is doing at the peace conference, rather than hinder and
embarrass him.
There must be- a willingness to work with the President instead of
against him. The President has asked the senate to postpone debate of
the constitution of the League of Nations as it was presented to the
peace conference until he has had an opportunity TO go over it with
the foreign relations committee of congress section by section. He
has invited the members of these committees to meet with him immedi
aey upon his return to This country. The request is a reasonable one
ard ought to he needed. It is not denied that the constitution for the
worldwide lcague has surprised everyone with its feasibility and work
abeneSs. Even the bitterest critics of the idea have been taken COM
pletey off their feet. They have been slenced by the unanimity with
which the representatives of the nations of the earth have agreed on
thc plan.
The least that the senate of the United States can do, therefore, is
ogiye the President a hearing in order that he may clear up any doubt
fl points and explain the why's and whercforcs of the different sec
tons that may not be exactly understood.
The League of Nations idea has got to be taken seriously. 1t is the
first move toward making the world safe for democracy. 1t is not
democracy TO have a nation an armed camp and the people taxed to
the utmost to support vast military preparations all the time. Democ
raey means that the people rule themselves and when the people rule
themselves they are not going to fight each other.
Tn masses in any country do not want war for they know that they
are the ones who suffer most in time of war. They would abolish war
altogether if they could and devote their energies to their own de-
veopment and progress. But how can any nation in which the people
rule ignore preparations for war if countries all about are headed by
jealous and ambitious potentates who are scheming and planning for
conquest continually
With a League of Nations firmly established, having the moral
support of the leading nations of the earth. the democraeieS can ,gn, re
the danger of war TO a large extent reduce ornaments and devote their
rooney and resources to their own advancement.
This League of Nations, thanks to the ability and determination
If Woodrow Wilson, is about TO be achieved. 1t has got to be con
Sidered On its merits. noitieS ae tahooed