Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-02-28
AMERICA HOPE OF WORLD, SAYS
WILSON; UPHOLDS LEAGUE PLAN

factory treaty Of peace that the con
fusing elements of the modern world
will afford and go home and think
about our labors, we will know that
we have left written upon the historic
tables at Versailles, upon which Yer
gennes aud Benjamin Franklin wrote
their names. nothing but a modern
scrap of paper; no nations united to
defend it; no great forces. combined
to make it good, no assurance given
to the down-trodden and fearful peo-
pie of the world that they shall be
safe. Any man who thinks that Amer
lea viii take part in giving the world
any such rebuff and disappointment
as that does not know America.
Il invite him to test the sentiments
of the nation We set this nation up
to make men free, and we did not con-
fine our conception and purpose to
America, and now we will make men
free.
IF we did not do that all the fame
of America would be gone and all her
power would be dissipated She
would then have to keep her power
for those narrow, selfish, provincial
purposes which seem so dear to some
minds that they have no sweep beyond
the nearest horizon.
Think of the picture. think of the
utter blackness that would fan on the
world. America has failed; America
made a little essay at generosity;
then withdrew America said we are
your friends but it was only for to-
day, not for tomorrow. America said
here is our power to indicate right
and the next day said let right take
care of itself and we will take care
of ourselves America said we set
up light to lead men along the paths
of liberty but we have lowered it, it
is intended only to light our own
path We set up a great ideal of
liberty and then we said liberty is
thing that you must win for yourself.
Do not call upon u.s.
Nations Need Friend.
And think of the world that we
would leave. Do you realize how
many nations are going to be set in
the presence of old and powerful ma
tons in Europe and left there, if left
by us, without a disinterested friend?
do you believe in the Polish cause
as / do? Are you going to set up
Poland. immature, inexperienced as
yet unorganized, and leave her with
circle of armies around her? Do
you believe in the aspirations of the
Czeeho-Slovaks and the Jugo-Slavs as
do? Do you know how many powers
would be quick to pounce upon them if
there were not the guarantees of the
world behind their liberty?
Have you thought of the sufferings
of Armenia? You poured out your
money to help succor the Armenians
after they suffered; now set UP your
strength so that they shall never suf-
fer again
''The arrangements of the present
peace can not stand generation I'M
less they are guaranteed by the united
forces of the civilized world. And if
we do not guarantee them, can you
not see the picture? Your hearts have
Instructed where the burden of this
war fell. 1t did not fall upon the ma
tional treasures; it did not fall upon
the resources of the nations. 1t fell
upon the voiceless homes everywhere,
where women were toiling in hope
that their men would come back.
Must Not Be Disappointed.
when I think of the homes upon
which dun despair would settle if this
great hope is disappointed, l should
wish for my part never to have had
America play any part whatever in
this attempt to emancipate the world.
But talk as if there was any ques-
ton. have no doubt of the verdict
OF America in this matter. | have no
more doubt of the verdict of America
in this matter than have doubt of the
blood that is in me.
And so, my fellow citizens. have
come back to report progress. and
do not believe that the progress is go
ing to stop short of the goal. The ma
lions of the world have set their
hearts now to do a great thing, and
they are not going to slacken their
purpose. And when / speak of the
nations of the world, do not speak of
the governments of the world.
speak of the peoples who constitute
the nations of the world They
are in the saddle, and they are going
to see to it that if present govern
ments do not do their will, some 9th
er government shall. and the secret is
1ut and the present governments
know it,
II have come back for a strenuous
attempt to transact business for lit
tie while in America, but have real
ly come back to say to you, in all
soberness and honesty, that l have
been trying my best to speak your
thoughts.
"And, therefore. probing deep in my
heart and trying to see the things