The Washington herald., 1920-09-29
Presidents Stand on Ire
land Startles Leaders
of Campaign.
FORCES FIGHT ON PACT
More Letters from White
House Coming Soon to
Aid Democrats.
tPubiic Ledger Service.)


The President has spoken The
much herslded entry OF the Chief
Executive into the Democratic cam
paign took place yesterday.
Wilson revealed the inspiration
which has caused Gov. James NJ.
Cox TO declare that the settlement
of the Irish question was one for
the league of nations to make. but
men who followed the President
through the treaty fight from the
fateful days of Paris to his swing
around the circle are at loss to
analyze the Presidents declaration.
His enemies can prove by his own
words and those of his agents in
the State Department that such a
settlement of the Irish question has
not always been in the forefront of
the Wilson mind.
Letter 6ans to Irish.
1t is true that yesterdays pro-
nouncement is merely a repetition
of what Wilson said a year ago. but
on the same tour he said more than
once that the Irish question was a
domestic problem for England to
settle.
There was no denial in official
quarters that the Presidents letter
was designed to mollify and bring
back into the fold the Irish vote,
more especially in view OF the re-
cent utterance of Senator Harding
that the Irish question could not be
settled in Washington. but political
students did not believe that the
bait was tempting enough. The best
promise that tho President holds
out is that the league created 4
forum TO which all peoples could
bring any matter which was likely
to affect the peace and freedom of
the world The irish themselves
have never hoped for action by the
league, for they feel that England's s
vote within the council of the
league would act as a deterrent.
Critics of the President also fail
to see how he can justify his pres
ent statement as to the position of the
administration on the Irish ques.
tion with the categorical state
ments that both he and the State
Department have made. that this
country would not be governed by
similar ruling.
Democrats Shocked.
The greatest shock to the Demo-
Gratis. however, is the form in
which the President has extended
aid to the candidacy of the Demo-
cratic standard bearer Inspired
guidance from staunch Democratic
sources has sought for weeks to
draw the President away from the
League of Nations.
The President apparently has dis
regarded all this advice and has
come out flatfootsdly for the lea que
as he was during all the weary
months when his friends were en-
deavoring to bring about COM
promise that would enable this ma
ton to ratify.
Binds Cox to League.
The President by his very act of
answering Swartz's letter with an
expression made when the league
fight was in its infancy. before the
question of reservations had become
paramount, is seeking to bind Gov
Cox hand and foot to the Wilson
League.
1t is no secret that the Democratic
leaders expected more The recent
visits of men like e. II. Moore. T.
T. Ansbury, and Bernard NJ ia =
ruch to the White House have been
for the purpose of attempting to
have the President let his mind
go along with" that of Gov. Cox,
so that the present candidate might
be supreme in tho prediction
fight.
1t was indicated at the White
House yesterday that from now on
the pronouncements Of the Pres,-
dent would follow in rapid order
and that Wilson had determined
fully to fight in the battle of bal
IotS until III. and