South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-24
Believes People
Will Approve
w World League
BY ROBERT j. BENDER.

- AhCAfAahA " bA~-f AfA@ANs
BY United Press:
BOSTON. Mass. Feb. 24-(By
courier from the George Washing
ton, anchored in President Roads,
Pres't Wilson, returning to American
shores today. is confident that con-
gress and the people will approve
participation Of the United States in
a league Of free nations
Failure of America 10 sanction
such a course would, he believes, he
a great moral blow to the civilized
nations now bending their efforts to-
ward a just and lasting peace.
Look to L. 8. for Leading.
The presidents historic journeys
through foreign lands and his work
at the peace table have convinced
him that the European nations look
to the United States as the one great
power without selfish interests, par
ticipating in the conference. For the
United States TO refuse TO join in in
what he and a majority OF nations
regard as the fundamental of a last
ing peace would, he believes. break
the heart Of the world movement
for a new order of things
Hence the president returns 20
make a strong effort at convincing
the country and congressional mem
bers of the vital Importance Of the
league. AS the covenant is not i'm IFS
final form and is. therefore not ready
for ratification; the presidents work
now is largely Informative. His big
fight, if one proves necessary. viii
come after the Paris conference has
finally approved a league plan and
the peace treaty is complete, ready
for submission to the United States
senate for ratification. Then the
president will go before the people
if necessary, to ask support But that
will probably not be before mid
summer or fall.
The presidents return finds what
he regards as the biggest part OF MS
job abroad mpleted-formulati
of a league covenant. Good progress
has been reported to him by wireless
from Paris on all Of the conference
problems being worked out by com.
mittees in his absence.
Francis on Russ Problem.
The greatest work outside formu-
lation Of the league Is held by the
president to be a solution OF the Rus
sian problem. which. according 70
last reports. was still much confused.
Enroute 70 the United States on the
George Washington. Ambassa dor
Francis. who is returning TO Wash
ington 10 hold conferences with the
house and senate foreign relations
committees. said Of the Russian sit
uation. with which he has been deal
ing for three years:
a reign of terror. instituted ~
the bolsheviks i'm order TO maintain
themselves in power. was prevailing
i'm Great Russia-or central and
northern Russia-according 20 las,
accounts The outrages committed hy
the bOlsheviks arc incredible.
Must Pacify Russia.
IT think il is impossible TO re-
store peace in Europe with chaos
prevailing i'm Russia. In fact. with
Germany comparatively uninjured
industrially and with her army re-
ceiving ovations on its return to
Berlin. T am persuaded that II r.
ncace is negotiated with disorder or
holsbcyik rule I'm Russia, that Ger
many. with her familiarity with the
Russian character. which she has
been studying and attempting 20
control for n generation or two. viii
be able 20 utilize the immeasurahlc
resources Of that great country and
in % Years or perhaps a decade,
will be stronger than az the begin
ming of the war just ended. II so.
Germany. instead Of being defeated.
will have gained a victory out OF the
war which she brought on in order
- realize the hope and expectation
Or Deutschland uber Allies which
all Germans cherished until that
great military power was compelled
70 surrender IFS feet and 20 disarrl
its military forces by Americas en-
tering the war"