The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-17
READY
AND EAGER FOR
REPORT ON WORK
Lawrence Shows Wilson Is
Anxious to Tour Nation and
Explain Exact Status of
World League Plan.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
(The News Sclmltar's Special Core
spondent.)

~spondent.)
WASHINGTON, June l7.-President
Is to take the stump. He is canning
back from Europe within 80 days. Prob
ably he will get here in time to make
a speech or the Fourth Of July at some
central point like St. Louis. He want
the people of the country to understand
the exact meaning of the treaty Of
peace and the league Of nations. First,
as a matter of courtesy, he will address
congress, presenting the treaty itself
In person. Then he will appeal to the
American people.
official announcement of the presi-
dents plans came from the White
House after the receipt Of cable mes
sages from Mr.. Wilson. He has been
watching the situation in the United
States closely from abroad. Summaries
OF opposition opinion and the details
OF the fight being made by his oppo-
nents in the United States have been
sent him regularly. President Wilson'S
decision to go before the people of the
United States himself means that he is
ruby aware of the storm of criticism
when mas oeen raised against both tho
treaty and the league, INT he is coming
back for the biggest fight Of his career.
Inc Journey of the president may ex-
tend from coast to coast. 1t will be
n~onpartisan. The invitation to speak
IN st, Louis, for instance, has come
from Senator Spencer, Republican, as
well as a committee of Democrats. If
Mr.. Wilson speaks first in st, Louis
ne VIII have an opportunity to meet
the same people from whom Senator
REED, Democrat, says he derives the
right to oppose the league of nations.
Wants Report. :
Senator Spencer's position is simpIy
this; He has not yet announced how he
VIII vote on the final issue; but he well
comes the chance to have President
wilson give the people of Missouri a
report on the proceedings at Paris.
Presumably Mr.. Spencer will follow
ehe wishes OF the people of his state
as manifested after they have heard
both sides. 1t is not known vet inst
what cities or states will be Included
IN the presidents itinerary. Largely If
VIII depend on how much time Mr.
wilson will be able to devote to the
whole task, and what is the attitude
OF the country itself. If the people of
70 COM before them and invitations ac-
cumulate, Mr.. Wilson may find it nee
essary TO make his journey rather ex-
tehslVe. Probably the president will
spend much time in the West. His
heaith is good and he is said to be
,eauy tor the tremendous ordeal in
vowed IN a stamping tour.
The president will have started for
Belgium tonight to make the trim which
ne long ago promised he would make,
he VIII be back in Paris on Friday,
Inc Germans are expected to sign the
treaty before the end of the present
month. The president wants 70 pet
back in time for a speech on the Fourth
OF july, but 1t would not be surprising
II the delays attendant upon the final
signing of the treaty prevented him
ron doing it. AS soon as the German
position Is known. however, the presi-
dent will start back. He may not await
the purely ceremonial part of the sign
ing, POSSIBLY the official text will be
carried on steamer that leaves Eurone
after Mr.. Wilson does.
President Eager. .
Judging from the conversation at the
White House, the president is turning
back to America with an eagerness to
meet his opponents that is reminiscent
or his earlier struggles with opposition
In congress. Many times he has been
compelled to appeal to the country for
support on questions of foreign policy
and has been uniformly successful.
lie appealed for the repeal of the
Panama canal tolls and among his sup
porters were Senators Lodge and Root,
tie had Republican backing, too, when
more resolution. The president Is anx-
ious for Republican help. His critics
say he should have started earlier and
should have consulted congress more or
selected peace commissioners represen-
tative Of the Republican party.
But Mr.. Wilson presumably will tell
why he has not consulted congress more
heretofore. He will give a detailed re-
port of the changeful situation in Paris
and will ask for support not on any
personal basis, but on a basis Of ma
tional interest in the future, the issue
of mora war md nhnau - -
structed world and ultimate peace.
Ready for Fight.
The president is said to be in a fight