Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-18
STIRRING APPEAL
! TO DEMOCRACY TO
STANDBY TREATY
Favors Acceptance of Chal-
lenge to Make League
Paramount Issue. !
BISMARCK AND BERNHARDI
INSPIRED G. o. P. POLICY
Responsibility for Postwar
Ills Placed on Republican
Shoulders. n
SPURNS ATTACK ON HIMSELF
Clarion Call to San Francisco Con-
vcntion to Adopt Truly Pro-
grcssive Platform. atj
BISMARCK AND BERNHARDI
INSPIRED G. o. p. POLICY
sPURNs ATTACK ON HIMSELF
Clarion Call to San Francisco Con-
vcntion to Adopt Truly Pro-
grcSSive Platform. al
IBy Associated Press.1

NEW YORK, June 17.-Prcsident
Wilson. in a special interview given
to the New York World to be pub
ltshed tomorrow morning, said he Is
extremely confident that the Demo-
cratic convention at San Francisco
will welcome the acceptance of the
challenge by tho Republican party
TO make the league OF nations the
issue in this campaign"
am even more confident" the
President said. that such referendum
will confirm my faith that the Ameri-
can people desire 1t above anything
else that political party now may
provide. and that they will condemn
the Republican policy of denying
them the contamination Of their
hopes. No one will recommend a
referendum on that issue more than
l."
i suppose should feel battered"
he said, over being made the issue
OF tho presidential campaign by the
Republican party. But even the cf-
fort OF the platform makers at Chi
caSo to confer the distinction of
making me not only burning but
living issue by camoufaging and
obscurinG the real issues will not
deceive the people:
Platform Scientifically Prussinnixed.
The processes by which the Chi
cago platform was accomplished
! seemed to me to have been essen
TALLY and scientifically Prussfan In
inspiration and method. Instead of
quoting Washington and Lincoln.
the Republican platform should havo
quoted Bismarck and BernhardK be-
cause the Republican attitude re-
sarding the supreme issue that can
not be abandoned or disregarded
strongly suggests the arbitrary in
huences that dictated the doctrines OF
those TWO eminent persons.
EVERY charge directed against ma
and my administration is obviously
designed to becloud and negative tho
paramount issue confronting the peo-
pie oil America. to befog their sense
Oh responsibility and make the viola
tioh or the obligations they have
assumed appear to be of small con-
sequence. l sincerely believe that the
attempt of the Republican party 10
win ehe sanction OF the American
people for its attempted evasion OF
these obligations will be decisively
rebuked.
with one thing I am fully satis-
ned and that is. that the Republican
party in its platform has joined mo
In tho suggestion l made in my let
Ter to the guests at tho Jackson Day
dinner in Washington in January
last. In that letter / expressed tho
nope that sincere attempt would
be made to determine the attitude
or the American people on the league
OF nations by resorting to the gem
timely democratic process of the re-
ferendum.
Let the People Decide.
"Of course. have no way OF an
ticipating the probable trend OF
sentiment that will be expressed in
the Democratic National Convention
at San Francisco or forecasting tho
ultimate conclusions of that body.
but have every confidence that the
delegates who will sit in that con-
vention will repeat tho challenge +
issued to the Republican party and
express their readiness to permit the
people to decide between the vague
and ambiguous declaration by the
oiAu ana CeI-
inite expression of opinion by tho
Democratic party.
Whatever else the Democratic
party may do. hope that It's con-
vcntion ut San Francisco will say
just what it means on every issue.
and that it will not resort either to
ambiguity or evasion In doing so.
This thing 1.-THE league of nations]
lies too deep to permit of any po-
litical skulduddery. any attempt to
sidestep or evade moral and human
itarian responsibilities much too
solemn. In view OF the sacrifices
made by the soldiers of America, to
treat 1t lightly or to ignore
II should prefer at this time not to
discuss partisan politics or to VEN
ture any predictions az to the prob
able attitude that the Democratic
convention will take on any subject.
] sincerely believe. however, that tho
vast majority OF gentlemen who Will
sit In tho San Francisco convention
will appreciate tho. necessity and
permanent value OF keeping the word
/ T(Continued on Second Pare-I -