New-York tribune., 1920-02-21
Is Mr.. Wilson a Radical?
4 Citation of His Revolutionary
Friends and Appointccs

FRIENDS ana AppOlntecS
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: If correctly reported in your
paper Of this date, at meeting Of the
National Civic Federation held at the
Hotel Astor yesterday Mr.. Henry A..
Wise Wood characterized President
Wilson as "the worlds most exalted
instigator Of social revolt and the
patron of unrest" statement to which
such protest was made that it was
voted to expunge Mr. Woods re-
marks from the record. Rabbi Joseph
Silverman, in urging this action, said:
eve have too much respect for the
President to connect him directly or in
directly with radicalism."
1t would be interesting to know on
what Rabbi Silverman bases his posi-
tive claim that the White House is un-
tainted with radicalism, To our way
Of thinking, it is not q question of re-
spect or disrespect for our Chief En-
eSutl'c, Uut vi Colu ldCIS. 4NOWs DIS Ldl
as l can judge of Mr.. Woods
efforts in the direction of the oldtime
Americanism, such as we knew before
becoming an absolute monarchy (and
l have both heard and read widely Mr..
Woods argumcnts), he does not
voice a statement unless backed by
logic and the cold facts referred to
above. In this connection one or two
queries may be pertinent.
1t is the result of mere accident that
the appoinHees, counselors and defend
ers Of Woodrow Wilson have been
largely Socialists or radicals of an cx-
tremo type? Is simple coincidence to
blame for the George Creels, George
Herrons, William Bullitts, Norman
Hapgoods, Dudley Field Malones and a
host Of others being given posts Of
honor or a semi i-cfficial hearing at
tremendous crises?
Was it mere slip OF the tongue that
caused President Wilson, during that
triumphal tour Of Italy which created
such dsquict here at home, to remind
the Common people" that if they were
dissatisfied with their government they
had it in their power to overturn it?
Apropos of George Heron of un-
pleasant memory, it might be illuminat-
ing. to those who have not taken the
trouble to inform themselves to quote
briefly from Mr.. Herron's "Woodrow
Wilson and the Worlds Peace" Refer
, on to say:
"He Is also a determined and tre-
mendous radical. He is rcvo-
lutionary beyond anything his words
reveal, beyond anything his contempo-
raries have discerned. AS con-
trasted with Americas President, the
parliamentary leaders Of German So
cialism arc medieval reactionaries.
1t Is possible for Germany to
rise from her deep spiritual night
from the orgy Of murder and lying
and madness she has therein precipi-
tated, and to invite then the nations to
unite with her in peace that shall be
both social and international. 1t is
even possible that Germany might sud
denly beseech Woodrow Wilson to lead
the world in the pursuit Of this incf-
fable goal"
Was the gentlemen in question a
self-styled Socialist, rebuked for his
presumption? Not he! Rather. at q
time when Mr.. Wilson was keen on
conclllatory measures affecting tho
Russian Bolsheviki, he selected Mr..
HERON as mediator.
Yet the Presidents admirers wonder
at Mr.. Woods temerity in con-
Meeting radicalism with the Administra-
ton! Not a word about the service
ne Is doing in attempting to open the
eyes of the persistent blind who are to
blamc for the chaos in which we find
ourselves. Fortunately, however, nei-
ther Mr.. Woods patriotism nor
that of anybody else is being measured
to-day (by thinking people, that isl by
suplne acceptance of everything that
emanates from Washington. Labelinp
thing American does not make it 50
MAY EMERY HALL.
New York, Feb. II, 1920.