New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
The Great L. OF ~ Clinic
Reflections the LodgeLoweU Debate Symphony
By Godfrey Parsons

lar hero. The underlying sentiment was un-
mstakabe. "The people here have turned.
that's ALL" said one Bostonian. We've
had plenty of Wilson Republicans here,
too. But apparently even his admirers
feel that he has gone too far"
Investigation revealed the fact that the
Presidents last appearance in Boston was
anything but triumph. Accounts at the
time varied considerably. But at this dis
tance every one talked to, supporters and
opponents, agreed that Boston crowds were
distinctly cold to Mr.. Wilson on his re-
turn from Paris.
One factor to be remembered and dis
counted in Boston is the Sim Fein atti-
tudc. The bulk of the Irish opinion has
apparently abandoned Home Rule for the
new demand of nationalism, and its opin-
ion of the league of nations and of Mr.
Wilson is largely coored by what it is
decided at Paris to do or not to do with
respect to Irish freedom. Irish opinion is
a large slice OF Eastern Massachusetts, 1t
is not controlling, however, and while it
undoubtedly forms part of the present re-
action away from Mr.. Wilson, it is not
iSPtSSSHAHriNC W NldSSdCIluSetLS opinion
generally. That opinion seems strongly in
favor of the general idea of league. This
attitude was plainly expressed during the
debate. In his closing words President
Lowell made an eloquent plea for a wider
outlook than that expressed BY Senator
Borah in his opposition to any league, and
the second great demonstration of the
evening occurred. Almost the whole audi
ence rose to their feet and cheered. 1t was
in part tribute to President Lowcll for
the most it was tribute to the broad idea
of a league of pcacc-some kind of
league.
A Difference OF Degree
SO far the two debaters went their
supposed differences largely vanished in
the of the debate. President Lowell
conceded that the whole covenant needed
redrawing; that several grave antiquities
must be removed; that the Monroe Doctrine
must be expressly reserved. Senator Lodge
in rebuttal, said that latter President Lowell
had finished revising and amending the
treaty I think almost any could have
agreed with it,"
The disagreement narrows chiefly to a
practical of method. Both speakers
agree that league ought to be achieved
as a result of the war. President Lowell
thinks that the present draft is good enough
in general outline to deserve amending and
perfecting, and that if amendments are sug-
gested they will be adopted at Paris. Sem
ator Lodge evidently thinks that the draft
is so defective that the best course would
! be to make peace and then start afresh to
draft new covenant; that, anyhow, Presi-
dent Wilson will permit no adequate
amendments of the present draft at Paris;
that he will seek to Intervene the peace
treaty and the league covenant so mex
trcably that the Senate cannot separate
them; and that whatever amending must be
done will have to be done by the Senate.
The Boston Verdict
There is much speculation in Boston as
to how all this will work out Senator
Lodge is not discussing the future prob
lem of the Senate. But his speech made it
clear that, Republican leader, he does
not greatly fear any efforts at Paris to
"smuggle i'm the league of nations as "a
rider the German treaty" There must
be two treaties, one Of which Germany must
sign. one of which she must not. Inter
weaving such wholly separate documents is
not easy. In any event the Senate can
amend accept with proviso--and then
the burden will be on Mr.. Wilson either
to resubmit the amendments to the other
nations or else assume the responsibility
for preventing a league of nations from
reaching final agreement. Senator Lodge
expects the signers of his manifesto to stick.
If they do and succeed in disentangling
treaty and league sufficiently to make peace
at once, the burden thenceforward will be on
Mr.. Wilson.
There is no question that the critics of
the league drafted gaining strength
in Massachusetts with every public discus
sion. Very little doubt is felt that Eastern
Massachusetts at any rate is strong
against the league urged by the President
on his last flying visit.