The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-22

League of Nations. and he created the
League Of Nations. and it may be that
this concentration will prove in the
end OF great and lasting benefit to
mankind. On the other hand, it is es-
sential to face the thing as it is in
Paris.
Mr.. Wilson is. we understand, COM
ing back in three weeks with what
purpose no man knows. He can no
longer at once exercise the same in
fiuence. There has been. l am told, A
drawing back in England among the
English people, comparable little to
the change in France and in both
cases growing out OF increasing eager
ness to have done with this war of
which the peace negotiations have be-
come not the least burdensome detail.
Still Has Chance.
If Mr. Wilson should come back
back from America resolved to exer-
else his influence in the direction of a
quick settlement based upon rea-
soned and comprehending estimate of
the facts in the present situation, if
he should come back determined to
finish the war with Germany by max
ing a new German attack impossible,
If he should come back as champion
Of French security, as defender OF
Polish existence, as the spokesman OF
Czecho-Slovak integrity, as the propo-
nent of Jugo Slavic independence, as
friend of Roumania, his service may
yet be the greatest of any living man
in making just peace.
Other Alternative.
But, by contrast, if Mr.. Wilson
comes back in the same mood in which
he came to Europe more than two
months ago. surrounded by the people
for whom the single question was not
.,-etior really was, but
what the President thought it to be. II
.u..4u 1aCK still dedicated
80 of the abstract and
above all, if his coming back results
III the pCsIponement OF settlemen,
with Germany which has been to LONG
/ postponed already, we shall have an
! other feeling in Paris, and we shall
again have to face, possibly the fact
| that what was won on the battlefield
may be lost around the green table
| One should only be fair in stating
! the facts I doubt if any one evel
worked harder at any task that Mr.
Wilson has worked at his self-im
! posed duty at the Paris conference
He has neither spared himself nor III
any degree avoided the responsible
/ ties of his position He has worked
for his League of Nations with sin
gleness Of purpose which will remain
noteworthy. He has not labored fol
a specific plan for the League of Ma
| lions.
| Works Hard for League.
| AS have frequently said the docu
ment which has arrived owes far moro
/ to the English than to Americans, but
| for the idea of the League of Nations
he has labored necessarily and ardu
ously. If the League Of Nations shat
prove a success, l do not think later
historical estimate will subtract any
| thing from the credit due to Mr.. Will
| son.
| But on the other hand I am anxiou:
| to give some idea of what actually
! happened in Paris, what disturbing
/ and conflicting currents of opinion
have been loosed, what dangers have
been risked, alike within and without
the conference, and what great prob
lens remain not only unsolved bu
daily, through postponement of the SO
luton, becoming more menacing.
] Welcome is Enthusiastic.
Mr. Wilson came to Europe, hailet
in France and England and Italy as NJ
foreigner has ever been welcomed.
do not think his best friends woult
feel that he goes away carrying will