The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-16
Col. B. O. James Flags
Critics Of President
Wilson's Plans.
OBSERVE FLAG DAY
Richmond Lodge Of Elks
Endorses Remarks Ap-
proving the League Of
Nations at Celebration.

Vigorously defending President Will
son and the League OF Nations. and
haying Senators Lodge, Borah, Reed
and others OF the Republican oppos-
ton in congress to the world society.
B. o. James, secretary of the COM
monweaith. delivered the principal ad-
dress OF the annual flag day exercises
of Richmond Lodge. No. A. B. P. o.
E.. yesterday afternoon in the lodge
rooms OF the order.
When President Wilson comes
back to America" he said, Mr.. Borah
and Mr.. Reed and that gang will be
consigned by the American people to
that oblivion to which they are so
richly entitled"
present. There is unrest in every
eountry--not only in Europe, but in
Canada. America and Mexico. II ever
we need Americanism. he said. it is
today.
The period OF reconstruction. he de-
clared, is worse than war. and the
country needs the best thoughts of the
best men. who are honest, to carry out
the work OF reconstruction. we do
not want men whom we cannot trust"
he said. but men whom the apoiis Of
office cannot entice. We need true
and quiet judgment.
Although congress is supposed to
represent the will of thu people, there
are men in both branches who have
done everything they can to discount
the cause OF America before the peace
conference. he said. They have criti-
cised the League Of Nations without
Offering anything in its place. Their
criticism has been destructive and not
constructive, he said
CRITICS ALWAYS.
It u She duty of every good citizen.
he said. to rise to the situation and do
All he can to further the cause Of
Amss1cA- Certain ynembers Of con-
gre@. he said. and they are to Be
found both in the house and In the
senate, have criticised everything that
has come before the peace confer
ence. and have melted and are now
melting propaganda TO defeat the
League Of Nations.
Washington, he said. was ~ much
criticised AZ Is Wilson today: Lincoln
was vtllined and abused by the North
~ the president is today being sian
dered.
America, he said. Is the only people
represented at Versailles by men who
are there with absolutely clean hands
The speaker paid a tribute to
American arms in the world war.
America had done everything human
iy possible to keep out OF the conflict:
after President Ni1Son had been criti-
cised because he did not plunge the
country into the war earlier and, later
because he was forced TO take the
step that he did on April s, 1917. two
millions of the best and bravest boys
who ever shouldered a gun crossed
the Atlantic and played q most promi-
nent part in vanQuishing the Hun"
Tho American soldier. he sad. was act
uated by the Hottest OF motives--hy
patriotism and loyalty to country.
THEY MADE GOOD.
And they made good" ne declared.
with emphasis. ASK General Omar
Bundy, the hero OF Chateau Thierry.
who, when told by an ofYicer of the
French high command that he and
his men must retreat if they would
avoid humiliation. said: We came
over here to fight and to go forward,
and we are not going to retreat AL
most in the same breath, he gave or
ders to advance. That days fi~hting
of the Americans turned the tide OF
battle which eventually ended the war
and resulted in signing OF the armis-
tice-"
The Americans. he said, exhibited
wonderful fortitude and magnificent
courage.
In a fitting tribute to the nag, the
sneaker declared that America Is no