Bisbee daily review., 1919-03-05
THOUSANDS
 CHEER CHIEF
 EXECU TIVE
President Intimates Taft Is
 Now His Right Hand Man in Stand on League Pact
Metropolitan Opera House Is
 Packed Hours Before Will son Is Scheduled to Speak
IRy Review Leased Wire,


 NEW YORK. March 4.-On the eve of his return to the peace conference. President Wilson delivered an address here tonight at the Metropolitan Opera house. urging establishment of a league of nations. Former President Taft, speaking from the same plat. form, also outlined his reasons for be. lieving that league should be form ed to prevent future wars.
 Governor Smith of New York pre- sided at the meeting and introduced both President Wilson and Mir. Taft.
 Lohg before the president. coming here tonight from Washington to sail rom Hoooken tomorrow on the steamer George Washington. reached the opera house great crowds had col lected along Broadway and Seventh avenue, while guards of policemen, the strongest guard ever provided in this city, was stationed at every few paces around the building.
 One hour before the doors were thrown open to the few thousands who had been fortunate enough to obtain tickets, policemen searched the opera house from cellar to the highest gal lery to protect Americas chief execu- tive.
 Roofs of buildings nearby were also searched.
 Police Line Sidewalks
 Police lines were drawn two blocks from all sides of the opera house. Seat holders arriving in automobiles were forced to descend one block from the building and walk to the main en- trance. At least 15 uniformed police men vised ticket before a seat holder could reach the main entrance of the building and almost as many more men scanned the tickets before a per. son reached his seat.
 The doors were opened shortly after . o'clock, and as fashionably dressed men and women, with many represen- tatives of the army. navy and marines filed down the aisles 10 their seats, the port of embarkation band played patriotic airs.
 The house presented a democratic appearance with hundreds of men and women in evening clothes mingling with others in plain business dress. American anl allied flags draped over the balconies were the only decora- tions.
 Noted Men Present
 Seats were provided in the front, row on the platform for President Wilson, William H. Taft. Governor Smith, Frank L. Polk, acting secre. tary of state; Abram I. Elkus. former ambassador to Turkey; Cleveland Fl. Dorge and Alfred E, Martin, president of the New York Chamber of Com merce.
 A military appearance was given the meeting by the presence on the plat form of Major Generals David c. Shanks and Thomas Barry, and their Staffs and Vice Admiral Albert K. GleaveS and Rear Admirals Nathaniel Usher and their staffS, Others on the platform included Joseph P. Tumulty, secretary to the president; former Governor Charles N, Whitman. former Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, and other distinguished men.
 At o'clock hardly a seat was va want. At that hour the audience join ed wholeheartedly in the singing of patriotic and popular songs and it was announced that no speech would be delivered until the arrival of President Wilson.
 Mir. Taft arrived at the opera house about s o'clock. After Governor Smith and the others had taken their places on the stage military touch was add ed by a color guard of overseas veter, ans, who marched to the center and presented eolors.
 President Wilson arrived at the
 CConunued on Pase Three)