El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-05
GREET WILSON
As A STRANGER
0hioans Show Respect, But
No Enthusiasm for Ma
tons Chief.

(COntinued from BREe II
himself TO simple enough phrases to
convey his points convincingly-
/ If Interruptions Of applause mean
anything. then Mr. wilson's audience
at Columbus not only seemed 10 ac-
cept his doctrines, but 10 exhibit faith
{ in the man who was eLhOrtinE anew
to follow his leadership.
Again and again the president
failed to explain why the people
should accept his view rather than
the view Of the treaty opponents,
but insisted that the people ought
to read the treaty and see for
themselves and II they did not
read II, then they should accept
the Interpretation Of the men who
made the treaty and knew what
was intended.
It Is the familiar appeal asking the
DeOple TO have faith Indeed, that
idea in his speech seemed TO get more
applause than any other.
For. through Ar. Wilson's speech
ran a sentimental nOte-a constant
exaltation OF American ideals and Of
the promise made 10 the lads who
died. The promise TO make this a
war against war.
The president has put on his
campaign clothes. He Is trying to
translate the technical language
of the treaty unto understandable
Americanism.
He gets thunderous applause as he
reverts 70 the declaration Of indie
pendence and the rights Of people to
govern themselves, and then transfers
his audience TO Bohemia and Poland
and exclaims that the treaty is shot
through with American principles OF
selfgovernment"
Instead. too. Of talking about
speaks Of the referendum" by which
the people Of upper Silesia are to be
given an opportunity in American
style to say whether they wish TO be-
long 10 Germany or to Poland.
Speaks in Simple Language.
In simple language he showed in
one speech why strategic frontiers
had been rejected as a principle in I
disposing OF territories wrested from
Germany. and why under a league OF
nations italy would not need Fiume- |
But he promptly added that If there |
were no league not only would II /
need a strategic frontier, but that the /
military point Of view would prevail !
everywhere. Undoubtedly Dir. Wilson I
viii make more Of this point as he l
goes further west into country which !
does not believe IN large armies or 4
navies and which is always ready TO 1
embrace some other system that real y i
means peace and not mere truce
The president strolled into the club 4
car and chatted with the correspond /
ents between stations He seemed 4
eager TO answer Questions. and talk 4
about the treeey- He made il clear
that he does not propose 10 enter into 4
a debate with the senate at long dis
lance That would be futile. he I
thinks. because Il would divert at
tsntion from the main isssue-whlat
the treaty contains which is so valu-
able TO the American neople that they
cannot afford to reject IT,
Only to Explain Treaty.
The president believes his mission
IS simply 10 explain the trea- and
TO discuss only incidentally the OBJ
iections which have been raised
against It. He would not admit that
he had senator Philander Knox iri
mind as he said the terms impose0l
upon Germany were to be sure and
severe. but not unjust Senator Knox
argued the very opposite last week.
Nor would Mr. Wilson say later
that he WAS thinking Of ireland
as he referred feelinEly in his
Columbus speech 70 other wrongs
in Europe which needed To he
riGhted ard would be riEhted hut
could not he denlth with at Paris
because the conference had iuris-
dictiOn only over territories
Irrested from the enemy. The in
ference was plain that under
League Of nations there would be
Jurisdiction over the Irish cues
tion II Il threatened the pence Of
the world.
Another criticism which Mr.. Wilson
lid answer in his speech was that
which claims America viii be Obliged
to send troops TO fight
n foreign countries a deafening roar ]
u applause greeted the president as
he said in conclusion. When this
-reaty is accepted, men in khaki viii
not have 20 cross the seas again"
All through the Columbus speech
he president seemed anxious 10 tell
he proletarian that the program Of
no anneXatious and no indemnities" I
bad been fulfilled. He denied that
The former German colonies hal been
annexed" He praised the system or
.rusteeship which he said would en-
lble the peoples living hitherto under {
Serman rule 70 develop into self gov
arnment nations He stressed the fact
5ermany but merely reparation for
iamage done.
Appeals to Workers.
And in closing he appealed again to ,
ne working masses by his emphasis
IN the magma charta OF labor drawn
1t Paris and the international labor
conference soon 20 be held at Wash s
nEton- Humanitarian phases OF the
reaty, suppression Of opium and
liquor traffic in backward areas or !
he world, sanitation. extension Of the {
work Of the Red Cross against dis
sase-these and other THINGS which
he president described made a deep
Impression on the audience. AR
Wilson sought 70 reach the hearts OF I
he people anew and regain the faith I
which. neglect OF domestic problems
u his absence abroad or the pain !
II acute ills like the cost OF living. ,
lave tended 70 drive away.
The president may not have con-
rerted his audience TO n sudden inter-
st in foreign policy but ne left them |
warmer than he found them f-nrrr- ]
light. 1919. the FL Paso Herald.