The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-07-10

he mas Deen enSrOSSeu III tne
work of readjusting the world to the
conditions created by the great war.
With its near completion, at least a
superficial estimate of it's worth and
permanency may be outlined. All the
presidents work has not been perfec-
ton. He has made some mistakes,
has sometimes shown an Obstinacy
that was unreasonable and has enter
tanned views which were too nebu-
lous and too sophistical to fit into the
grim readjustments of a wrecked but
practical world. He has displayed,
however, a national altruism at vari-
ance with his personal egotism, which
has atoned for many Of his personal
shortcomings and faults.
The treaty which has been con-
cluded is not that of the president.
1t is conservative statement to say
that he had little comprehension of
the enormous task of readjusting Eu-
rOpean conditions, when he landed in
France. He had only a superficial un-
derstanding of the problems to be set
tied and the penalties to be imposed.
He was strongly inclined to the view
that Germany should have terms
which would win the people of that
country because Of their generosity.
He believed, as he had held in his
official correspondence with Germany
during the armistice negotiations, that
the German people were not respOn-
rulers, and should not be punished for
the sins of these rulers. He believed
the German people would respond to
generous treatment and be willing to
nation, if not with enthusiasm. He
was convinced the people of Europe
could be utilized to sweep their gov
ernments into united purpose 10
compel those governments to carry
out any fantastic propositions, and
that the judgment of the masses would
be more dependable, more judicial,
more in the interests of humanity,
than the deliberate judgments Of
trained statesmen. He questioned the
integrity of governments and states
men alike.
The president soon realized some
of the views he held were impractical.
He could not preserve his self-centered
home policies and mental seclusion.
His American associates were men
who would parrot his will and rubber
stamp, his judgments, and keep their
views in the background. But he
found ne must match minds" with
European men who declined, diplo-
matically, but firmly, to yield to his
He found the making of peace treaty
was not to be dictated by any indi-
vidual Moreover he soon discovered
that we'll rounded generalities and
stern and direct statement of condi-
tions and penalties and restrictions in-
tended to disarm, shackle and punish
the foe.
1t is to the credit Of the presidet
that he met the situation by adjust
ing himself to the demands Of the oc-
casion. 1t is said ht left Europe with
less standing than he had when he
first arrived Whether that estimate
is true or false, the fact is that he
was a much larger and abler diplomat
when he left than he was when he
arrived. The froth of sophistry had
been replaced by the solidity Of ma
terialism. The treaty with Germany,
the supreme work of the peace COM
mission is the greatest instrument Of
its sort ever constructed by men. 1t
has no equal among the great treaties
of the past. 1t is comprehensive in
detail punitive as to past offenses and
prohibitive as to future crimes. No
man could have part in its formation
unless ne displayed the breath and
depth of ability.
The league of nations is the feature
to which the president bent his eff
forts. True. when the test came, the
plan of a South African statesman be-
came the foundation of the covenant.
The president had the vision, but not
the materialistic elements to make his
vision practical. It's first draft con-
tanned many features which Ameri-
cans could not approve. In permitting
them to be incorporated in the cove
uant, the president had allowed his
vision to supersede his judgment At
home, his egoism would not permit
him to seek advice or take counsel
He upheld the crude first draft and
then Immediately modified it to meet
demands from the people at home
His assertion that it would not be
modified was followed by modification.
This course lowered the standing Of
| the president in the estimate of the
people and led to much of the doubts
entertained about the amended pact.
The public has come to question his
judgment, no matter how much it may
believe in his patriotism and SINGER