The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-04

had "chafed at the confinement of
washington" and was glad to get out
to make his report to the people. IN
the first place, tho president said, the
treaty undertook to punish Germany, but
that there was no thought of over
whelmingly crush any great people
Restraint had been exercised, he
said, and there was provision for MAX
ing the reparation no gres ter than Ger
many could pay. Mr.. Wilson said he
had been "astonished' at statements
made about the treaty and was con-
vinced many Of them were made by men
who had not read II or else had failed
to comprehend its meaning
The league OF nations, the president
declared, was formed in fulfilment OF
the promise that the United States was
fighting this war to "end business OF
that. sort" forever. Not to establish
the league, he said. would be too "un-
faithful to those who had died
"lf we do not do this thing" he de.
eisred, I'VE have neglected the central
covenant we promised our people. The
league OF nations ls the only thing that
can prevent. the recurrence of this
catastrophe"
Besides this. the president continued,
the treaty tears away" the chains Of
oppression and gave small Municipalities
the right to live their own lives.
Glad to Fight for It.
That" he said, was the American
position and l was glad to fight for
Italy, the president continued, had
presented to the conference contrary
proposal in her request for Fiume.
Though there were only scattered
Italian settlements there, he declared,
Italy wanted Ftume for strategic and
military purposes. II there were a
league of nations he asserted, Italy
would not need that fbothold.
I'D rather have everybody on my
side" he continued, than be armed to
the teeth"
Referring to criticism that the treaty
violated American traditions, Mr.. will
son said he was proud that he, too, be-
longed to the "old revolutionary
school, and that he was following the
purpose Of the vision which the fathers
had seen.
Follows U. s. Ideals.
This treaty is an attempt to right
the wrongs of Europe said the presi-
dent, and, In my humble opinion it is
a measurable success"
He used the word measurable, he
added because racial lines were not
always distinct and could not be drawn
with absolute precision Of map.
This was why, he said, some of the
boundary lines were left to be decided
later by the people themselves. The
treaty, he declared, was shot through
WITH with the he AZ american principal of the
The treaty also contains, the prcsi.
dent continued, "magna charta Of
labor" which would set up an lnterna-
tlonsl labor organization. This oraani,
zatIon, he said, would hold lts first
meeting In Washington In October,
whether the treaty Is ratified by then
or not"
The labor section. Mr.. Wilson said,
provided what should have been pro
vided long ago. II fulfilled the tardy
realization Of statesmen, he said, that
there could be no good government or
peace unless. the people themselves
we're satisfied.
BY regulation OF labor conditions the
world over and by similar provisions
like those to regulate the opiunR trade
and extend the Red Cross, Mr.. Wilson
said the treaty draws the noble i'm
pulses of the world together and makes
team Of them"
That's what's IN the treaty" he con.
that before?'
The president arrived in Columbus
shortly after II O'Clock, and went i'm
mediately to Memorial Hall from his
train.
The president finished his address at
12:25. As the president was leaving
the hall a Chinaman In the gallery called
several times "Mr. Wilson. how about
Shantung?' The president apparently
did not hear him.
Drives Through City.
Escorted by a battalion of state
troops and city officials, President Will
son was driven through the city to
MemoIial hall Immediately upon his ar
rival here.
To greet him on his arrival scrowds
were somewhat reduced on account OF
the street car strike, but the president
was cheered heartily as he ceaded.