Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-05
Thinks Haley Hit the Nail
To he Editor Of the Erenins Public Led

To me Edtor or inc Etentng FhOfc Lcuyc .
Sir--I would seriously urge upon the
readers of the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER the
reading and re-reading of the article by
Bart Haley appearing in your issue OF
March 5. 1t is mastery arrangement
OF the United States Senators who are
doing all in their power to delay or entirely
frustrate the efforts of President Wilson and
the Peace Congress to at least turn the world
away from war and toward peace.
Let me quote a portion of the NTH para
graph, and ask for 1t special consideration
and study. 'Plainly they Uhe L. $. SEN
ators) do not know that a great change came
over tho world when war was made so nor
rible that, men ceased hating their enemies
and began to pity them. No echo of the pas
sionate inquiry that the great maJorlties are
putting to their leaders seems to have reached
tho floor ma jorities in the United States
Senate
Can these men not be brought to reali-
zation Of the awful crisis that now confronts
our civilization?
II is true that the President has been
close-mouthed regarding his ultimate pur-
pose. 1t is probably true that he has broken
down 'time-honored precedents,' strained
the dear old constitution etc, etc, but what
was left for him to do? What government,
either o. the Allied or German forces, but
had to discard their old traditions and shoot
holes through all their peacc-time programs,
and place absolute and unquestioned power
in the persons of their leaders! President
Wilson, one OF these leaders. assumed TINS
mower and used it insofar as he was able
in trying to stop by peaceful ways, the hell
ish slaughter. For this he received the exc
Grafton of our Ito be) Allies. When. how
ever, his efforts proved unaNaillng, ana he
was forced to ask Congress TO declare war,
he did not wait TO have all his actions rati-
aed or indorsed by a senile and sleepy Sen
ate but went ahead and did things and did
them SO well that the eXecrations OF our Al
lies were turned into exaltations, and from
a discredited place in their estimation he was
lifted to the highest place of honor--a leader
OF leaders.
These opponents OF President Wilson are
not blind TO this part OF the postwar feeling
and il the President was a good Republican,
would take pride and pleasure in haiing him
as a world favorite. but they are blind to the
great fact to which Mr.. Haley refers namely.
that great change has come over the
world, and that many of our pre-war ideals
have been shattered and that the people have
a new vision,
The passionate inquiry" which Mr.. Haley
SAYS is being made by the peoples of Europe
of their leaders. will probably be extended
by the people of the United States. 10 certain
members of the Congress of the United
States. How will 1t be answered" Is the
foremost advocate of peace programs to be
sent back to, the peace congress with the ap-
parent disapprobation OF his own people?
Are the people of the United States and
the people of the world to be advised to re-
turn again to the old Satanic conditions OF
an ARMED" peace? Are we to prove to the
people Of the world that their first estimate
OF us being a nation OF dollar chssers" was
correct, or II not that, all our profession
Of high ideal and love for democracy was a
"slittering generality?
Let us hope that the members of the peace
congress will appreciate the change which
has come over the world and act according
ly-regardless of any action or non-action
OF the United States Congress.
...... OLIVER MCKNIGHT.
Philadelphia, March g. o.