Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1919-01-02
E DIT O RIAL
PRESIDENTS RECEPTION IN EUROPE.

David Lawrence. writing for the New York Evening Post and
the Sioux City journal from Manchester, Eng declares that the sus-
#pcion is growing in Great Britain that certain interests III America
are endeavorng to fan the flames OF a backire.
1.-THE reception given in England is especially noteworthy, 4" he
declares, mot merely as a tribute to the president through the aat
5termg attention paid TO his speeches, the welcome, the respect, the
applause of the crowds, emphasizing how strong Mr.. Wilson is in the
hearts of the people, but even more because it shows a strong bond of
friendship for the American people and a deerrseated belief that the
EngHshrspeaking democracies have been drawn closer than they have
been since the American revolution
The English newspapers, continues Mr. Lawrence, are pardc
ularly cordial in their references TO the president and in the report
ing Of his addresses and movements. But there appears to be IN lni
fuence at work in Europe to discreiit Mr. Wilson and to weaken his
influence. For instance, says the writer of the article in question
many persons high in British oficiadom have received a copy Of al
scsthing memorandum attacking the personality and character Of
Nj. Wilson So conspicuous is this activity Of Mr. Wilson's oppon-
ens, says Mr. Lawrence, that the London Weekly Dispatch, editorial
", takes. occasion to administer a rebukc, thus:
III is felt in many quarters here that members Of the
United States republican party, now in London, who are
endeavorlng to impress upon all that the presidents decS-
ions have to be ratified by the foreign relations committee
of the senate, might cease their activities during his visit
Politics is politics the world over, but the president is being
received in Europe not as the head of the democratic party
but as the president of the United States.
IL would Seem that common courtesy and bride Is American
citizens would cause republicans and democrats alike. even so
cialMts, "a hold in allegiance their assaults upon Mr.. Wilson pending
the meeting Of the peace conference, if not the results Of the deib-
erations.
We appreciate TIL. tremendous Importance Of the outcome Of the
next general election ii America and the keen desire which animates
politicians in the preliminary skirmishes incident to the political bat
tie which will open in the near future, but they should reflect that the
president IS neither q democrat nor a republican in Europe, but the
Aead "a q great natlon which saw Its duty IN a great crisis and meas
ured up to It's opportunities when once it began to move.
The peace conference will have completed It's deliberations within
the ensuing few months, or a year before Thu. next presidential cam
paign formally shall have begun. If the president Gttinglv rapresenfsi
the Amencan thought at the peace table. this premature criticism
which his .detractors are hurting at him will react against them and
their party whereas if the president fails to fulfill the hone and
expectation Of the rank and file Of the American people in his mission
toz Europe there will remain ample time III which to reap political adj
vantage ont Of the situation.
The presidents critics appear to be taking a gamblers chance
on Mr. Wilson's possible mistakes.
&AM# a
The republicans have hegun 10 discuss Governor Peter SSofbeek
as q senatorial probability in 1920. 1t isn't new, at all The general
superstition has been that Mr.. Norbeck would be d candidate for the
pace, and hs re7elecfon by q substantial majority over the COM
81lnea vote o1 ms competitors has strengthened this belief. Should
ne announce his candidacy, as it is thought he Will IN the course Of
tlne, 1t8 is very doubtful whether anybody within the republican
ranks would wish g cross swords with him for the nomination.