Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-15
THE PRESIDENTS FIGHT.


The president mas reached the "a
cific coast on his tour to arouse pup
lie sentiment in behalf OF the rauflca-
ton of the treaty without reservations
He has met with large audiences ev-
erywhere. His speeches have peen
models of oratorical finish, of striking
epigram, of poetic eloquence. Wheth-
err he has made converts to the cause
he advocates-the ratification of the
treaty without the dotting of an or
the crossing of a remains to be
seen. That his tour has not been
without influence we may readily as
sumo. He is too great an evangelist
not to make some converts.
But that he has not swept the
country off its feet is evidenced by
the tremendous crowds which gather
TO hear johnson and Borah make
speeches for reservations in the
treaty. The arguments of these two
senators are heard by as many people
as heard the president and the enthu-
siasm of their hearers is greater.
But in estimating the sentiment of
... rn ", as shown by the crowds
sr4 1.e ehouting, we must consider
I. 4c. hat Woodrow Wilson, as
grsadcn- the United States, would
lr3, O. n. crowd of people to see
.~H ryar i'm at any time, speaking
on any subject, or on no subject. The
same has always been true of every
man occupying the presidency when
touring the country. 1t was true of
Andrew Johnson. who started the
"swinging-around the circle" by presi-
dents as means of appealing directly
to the people 1t was true of Benja-
min Harrison, Mckinley. Roosevelt
and Taft-each of whom while presi-
dent made extensive tours of the
country.
On the other hand. we may safely
say that nowhere would large audi
ences greet Johnson or Borah but for
the interest in the subject of their
speeches. Johnson could not be a
very popular figure personally In
either st. Louis or Kansas City, to
say nothing of Chicago. But every
where he has spoken in the same halls
where the president had spoken and
everywhere the halls not only were
packed to capacity but thousands
could not gain admission. There were
periods of sixteen and eighteen min
utes of cheering.
So. If We may pudge by the popular
demonstrations the president has not
made very great Roadway in arousing
sentiment for his cause.
But. on the other hand. one very
powerful factor has come into the
campaign against the treaty, that Is
certain to have vast influence. Mr.
Bullet, one of the very able Journal
lists of the country, testified before
the senate committee on foreign rela-
tons that Secretary of State Lansing
told him in Paris il the people under
stood the treaty they would defeat It,
The statement was called to Mr.
Lansing's attention and he refused to
affirm or deny. He merely said; 81
have nothing to say. one way or the
other" This, of course, was admis-
sion that Bullet had quoted him cor
rectly. Although a member of the
presidents cabinet and one of the
American mission to the Paris con-
ference, Secretary Lansing failed tc
endorse the treaty when he was be-
fore the senate committee on foreign
relations. He merely told things as
he knew, and when asked regarding
other matters he checked them all
up to the president.
Mr. Bullet said none of the other
members of the commission were en-
thusiastic for the presidents program
finally adopted. When Colonel House
was asked in London. recently. il he
had broken with the president. he
like Mr.. Lansing refused TO talk
Henry w. White has refused to say
whether he is for or against the
treaty.
So, it is pretty safe to conclude
that the president alone, Of the com
missioners who went to Paris. en-
dorses the treaty as it stands 1t is
his fight against the senate's pur-
pose to make reservations guarantee
ing American interests and rights.