Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-05
WILSON DARES ANY
PARTY TO BLOCK
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
CHARGES IN NEW YORK ADDRESS
THAT NATION BACKS HIM
TAFT SPEAKS FROM THE SAME
PLATFORM, SUPPORTING PLEA.

New York, March 5.-The President
of the United States and the nation
only living ex-President from the
same platform last night Appealed to
the whole country on behalf of the
proposed league of nations.
Five thousand persons crammed
into the Metropolitan Opera House.
applauded for several minutes as
President Wilson and ex-President
Taft, arm in arm, walked onto the
stage the audience standing unal the
President took his seat
Wilson Sees U. S. Support.
President Wilson began speaking at
$3.50.
Mr.. Wilson was cheered for three
minutes, while the band played Il
Won't Come Back Till It's over Over
There
Il accept the invitation the band
has just played said Mr.. Wilson. q
will not come back till its over over
there
The President declared he was con,
WINGED by unmistakable evidences
from all parts of the country that
the nation was in favor Of the league
OF nations.
= am more happy, because this
means this is not a party issue" he
said This is not party issue and
not party in the long run will dare
oppose it,
Etiquette Puzzles Taft.
AS President and ex-President
emerged from the room in which they
conferred. and walked through the
thronged wings on to the stage. Mr.
Taft said: Il don't know on which
side of you | should walk, Mr.. Presi.
dent"
He was on the left and the Presi
dent smiled and nodded
"A wave of cheers swept over the
house as the President and Mr.. Taft
took the center of the platform. The
President stepped forward and boweI
to all sides of the house Mr. Taft
then stepped forward and acimow
edged the cheers.
Audience Cheers Both.
Cleveland F. Dodge called for three
cheers for President Wilson and three
more for Mr. Taft. They were given
with will. Then some one in the
house called for three more cheers for
( the President and the audience burst
forth into another wave of applause.
EHFiee Caruso. introduced by Gov.
.ernor Smith, sang THE Star-Spangled
: Banner"
Governor Smith opened his speech
by paving a tribute to the part the
New York soldiers had played in the
war
The war is not yet won" he said
and will not be until the golden rule
is written into the international law
OF the world
He introduced Mr.. Taft as the man
who had worn the purple of the
AN"ANShS vi tlie tHlteu states WIN
grace and honor"
Mr.. Taft was greeted with loud
handcIapping.
The President smiled when Mr.. Taft
referred to the resolution introduces
in the Senate by Senator Lodge, pro
posing rejection of the league of ma
aions constitution as now drawn.
IF the President insists, as I hope
he will said Mr. Taft. that the
league be incorporated in the peace
treaty, and brings it back, then the
responsibility for postponing peace is
with the body that refuses to ratify
it,
referring to the argument that par
tlclpation in the league by the United
States would be in opposition to the
principles laid down by George Wash.
lngton, Mr. Taft declared he believed
Washington, If he lived today. would
ne 'one Of the most earnest and press
ing for the covenant"
Meant Single Alliances.
Washington's attack on "entaneline
alliances he said was an attack on
'derenslye and offensive alliances
with one nation against another"