The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-25

not permit him TO mention Ireland to
The Irish, but at this late day he vir-
tually assures the Irish revolutiouists
that the United States will look with
sympathy upon an effort by them to
Lreak away by revolution, force of arms
from English control
The Presidents visit to Utah sug-
gested the imminence OF h s defeat, the
change of public opinica concerning the
League OF Nations that has taken place
since he returned from Europe. When
the league first was proposed the people
or Utah were overwhelmingly for 1t.
When Mr.. Taft and DR.. Van Dyke spoke
Tor the league In the Tabernacle last
spring a vote was taken, and 1t was
given out the 10000 people who heard
the speakers stood 9.999 for the league
ana l against, The name of the one
should have been preserved.
OF course, that was putting Il strong,
bnt, nevertheless, sentiment was strong
~ Tor the league. Heber j. Grant, a
life long Democrat and n special admlrer
Of Mr.. Wilson, presided az the meeting
as he presided ut the Wilson meeting
last night, He has been opposed by
Senator Reed Smoot, who is an apostle
OF the Mormon Church. and Mr. Smoot
set to work to make the people of Utah
understand what they had been cheering
Tor. He has been so successful that the
sentiment In State and Mormon Church
Is now estimated at 5 to 1 against an
unqualified treaty and league, and at
least half the people are against any
league at all.
How Sentiment Changes.
The change is noted with gratifica-
ton by leading newspaper, which op-
poses an unqualified league At the start
OF the controversy its circulation fell Off
alarmingly. Then 1t hung, began u
climb and is now greater than ever
although its opposition is keener.
Most OF the newspapers in the State
are controller by persons friendly to Dir.
Wilson. and until the debates started Nm
the Senate did not permit the people to
have information disagreeable to their
interests. The Senate debates were
news which could not be suppressed,
and since they have been published opin-
ion has changed markedly. Utah feels
go keenly about the matter that Il can
be banked upon ASA Republican State
in 1920.
Nor have the people of Utah forgotten
the Interference of President Wilson in
the case Of Joseph Hillstrom. an I. w.
w. agent who was convicted of murder
and highway robbery. William Spry
Governor in 1915, refused to interfere
with the orders of the court. but when
an appeal was made to President Will
son through Samuel Gompers and the
Swedish Minister at Washington the
President wired Gov. Spry a peremptory
demand for Hillstrom's reprieve. Spry
placed the facts before the President
and refused to comply with the demand
for reprieve of stay OF execution.
The President reiterated his demand
and the Governor telegraphed that the
sovereign laws of Utah would take their
course. Hillstrom was executed and for
two years afterward Governor Sprys
life and the lives of the members of his
family were In constant danger. Bombs
were placed at the Governors home.
Wherever he went he was followed and
threatened His mail was flooded with
threatening letters from all parts of the
country.
Spry Is prominent in the Mormon
Church and the Presidents interference
in behalf of criminal who was an
active member Of an organization abomi
mated by the orderly and law abidins
Mormons has not been forgotten. II
such extraneous matters enter somewhat
into the opposition of the people OF Utah
to the Presidents present appeal, Utah
does not feel that her people are to
blame. Whatever may be the fate of the
League of Nations the normal Repub-
lican majority in the state of from TO-
900 to $4,000 Is going to assert itself
next year.
Mr.. Wilson left here for Denver at
40 p. NJ. He spent the night there
and will speak there tomorrow morning