The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-29
A TRIUMPH

The action of the peace conference makes the league of
nations a part Of the peace terms to which will be committed
the Sgnatory powers at the Versailles conference.
The document will be signed by the representatives of the
different nations, and then the terms go to the different nations
for ratification or rejection.
There will be no difficulty over the ratification of the treaty
Of peace.
The senate Of the United States will ratfy it by an over
whclming vote.
The congress will be assembled in extraordinary session
soon after the return Of the president from Paris. 1t will have
some new faces. The political complexion Of the congress will
have changed since it last met,
Safely Democratic until March 4, carving ont the presi-
dents will in everything, scarcely asking a question or assert
ing itself, the congress was a plastic organization, nodded to
SUIT the wishes OF the executive as so much putty in his hand.
1t is a radical change that will greet him. The next con-
gross will be Republican in both branches. It will be a hostile
congress, seeking to discredit the president if the opportunity
IS presented, and ever on the alert to gain political advantage.
Enough Republicans have signed a round robin" to reject
the league of nations, but they will not r~epudiate the known
wishes of the people, Senator Lodge, one Of the intellectual
men OF the senate, is credited with being the prime mover in
committing his fellow Republicans to this stand, much to their
The Republicans have circulated throughout France the
word that the president was ~discredited in the November cleo
tons; that he - the head OF the minority party that does not
speak the sentiment OF the nation.
But the delegates at the peace conference knew, even If the
president did not speak for the majority, the minority might be
jority rule, They believe also that there arc certain rights the
minority has that should be respected.
In the face of the opposition in this country, in the face.
OF obstacles erected abroad by the favored classes, the president
went ahead, dominating the onference-dominating it because
he had no selfish purpose to serve, because he represented a
10uOH l&t Hdu W ClIltuI1 dUhDhOH W NdlHAN hHu III CCISl
treaties TO observe.
Naturally such an a~ssenblage had TO have a man to stand
out as the leading figure, and fortunate circumstances and his
personality raised Woodrow Wilson TO an eminence not attained
by any other man in the conference.
There is no doubt that whatever opposition there is to the
league OF nations will rapidly pass away after a closer study Of
the conditions and terms, even il it were not incorporated in the
treaty Of peace.
There is nothing in the language of the terms that will not
discourage rather than tend to precipitate war.
II is pacific rather than beligcrent. 1t seeks to postpone
serious steps rather than to rush nations blindly at one another,
1t has every safeguard OF compromise, 1t tends to create
good feeling rather than i'll feeling, 1t purposes to bring ma
tons together on terms Of friendship rather than in hostility,
1t is a document OF civilization, suited to the times in which
we live, even il it does violate some Of the traditions Of the dim
and distant past, when we reveled in our seclusion and boosted
that isolation was much TO be desired,
Times have changed since Washington warned the country
against alliances with other nations. There was no telegram
in his day; no cables, no ~Leviathans, no airshps planning trans
Atlantic flights, and no immediate prospect that the United
States would some day have a merchant marine poting its nose
into the most inaccessible ports OF the world.
Unless we enter into an understanding with other nations,
they Will enter into an understanding against us, Unless we
manifest a spirit of cooperation, assume an attitude in keeping
with the splendid traditions of our army and navy and take ad-
vantage OF the markets and the trade of the world, we cannot
expect TO keep pace with the rest OF the world,
We might declare that we were isolated. but il would M,
make it true. We might desire no intercourse with some ma
tons, but we could not prevent it. We might prefer not to take
a part in world affairs, but it cannot be avoided.
The United States is looked upon today az the most AVA.
eriul OF the nations. 1t stands in high favor throughout the
world. II has been elected to leadership lust as Woodrow VII.
son was instinctively turned to as the leader Of the representa-
tves Of the nations, and for the same reason.
lhis country has outgrown its shell, and II il would do 81
II could not return again to il.