The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-10
PRESIDENT SAYS
WORLD LOOKS TO
U. S. AS LEADER
Addresses Senate Urging Rati-
ficatiOn of Treaty.
Wilson Says Refusal Would
Break Worlds Heart.
MAKES OR BREAKS THE TREATY
Pact Scrap of Paper Without
1t, He Asserts.
Admits Some of Terms May Be
Bitter for Present.
Pact Scrap of Paper Without
II, He Asserts.
Admits Some of Terms May Be
Bitter for Present.
NOT AS U. S. WOULD WRITE IT
Executive Comedies FIaWs-It
Squares With IA Points.
Huge Crowd ThrOngs Capitol
To Hear the Speech.

Washington, July 10.-Presi-
dent Wilson, in presenting the
peace treaty with Germany to
the senate today, declared that
"a league of free nations had
become a practical necessity" to
which the trainers of the treaty
felt obliged to turn "as an in
dispensable instrumentality for
the maintenance of the new
order it has been their purpose
to set up in the world"
The most skeptical Of the peace con-
ferees at Paris, the president said. had
turned more and more to the league
as discussion progressed in seeking So
luton Of the problems that arose in
framing the terms of the treaty itself.
a Working Basis.
The fact that the covenant of the
league was the first substantive part
of the treaty to be worked out and
agreed upon" the president said,
while all else was in solution, helped
to make the formulation of the rest
easier"
Mr.. Wilson said the agreement on
the covenant had given the conferees
a feeling that their work was to be
permanent and that the most practi-
cal among them ''were at last the most
ready to refer to the league of ma
tons the superintendence of all inter-
e9ts which did not admit of immedia-
ate determination of all administra-
tive problems which were to require a
cont nuing oversight"
The United States has been offered
the moral leadership of the world and
dare not reject it without breaking
the worlds heart" the president de-
clared.
shall we hesitate to ACCEPT
this great duty?" he asked. Dare
we reject it and break the heart of
the world? The only question is
whether We can refuse the moral lead
ership that is offered us; whether we
shall accept or reject the confidence
of the world"
Scrap OF Paper Without League.
Rejection of the league Of nations,
Wilson said. would be rejection of
the worlds confidence. More than
that he declared, that without the
league. the peace treaty becomes but
a scrap of paper.
The president began his speech by
outlining how American troops, to
whom he paid a warm tribute as men
terrible in battle but gentle and help
full out of it, turned the tide of the
war.
Coming to the making of peace,
Wilson reviewed in detail the many
complex questions presented and the
difficulties growing out of a DISPOSE
tion in some quarters TO cling to the
old order.
"Old entanglements," he said stood
in the way of peace.
May BE Better for n Time.
"It was not easy" he added. ito
graft the new order of ideas on the
old and some OF the fruits of the
grating may. I fear. for a time be
bitter"
But on the whole. the president de-
clared. Europe welcomed American
participation in the peace making as
eagerly as it welcomed our armies and
accomplished American principles OF
peace
He asserted emphatically that the
treaty is thoroly consistent with the
principles he laid down in the 4
points and at the same time meets
the practical needs of the situation.
Question Facing L. S.
We were welcomed as disinterested
friends" said the president TT was
recognized that our material aid would
he indispensable in the days to come
when industry and credit must be
brought back to their normal opera
tion. And it was taken for granted. !
am proud to say that we would play
The helpful friend"
In view Of all this the president
said the question is put squarely UT
to the United States whether it will
try 70 resume its old policy of isola-
ton, or will continue, thru the league
OF nations. the task of maintaining
"the new order set up in the world
the world of civilized men
The United States the president
said. has reached its majority as q
world power.
Hints at Mandatory.
He hinteS It was believed, at ac-
ceptance of a mandatory by the United
States when he said that weak peo-