The Alaska daily empire., 1921-03-05
EX-pREsIDENT WILSON.

Woodrow Wilson, for eight years President or the United States and of the greatest if, indeed not the greatest of all the statesmen to hgure Tn the most momentous in the worlds history yeSter- day became q private citizen of the United states. But that does not mean that he has passed into ob- scurty for as long he lives he will nave an interested world as audience whenever he speaks The hope is general that he may regain his health and live for many years to advise and counsel his countrymen and the peoples of the world
 It is too soon to attempt to estimate how high will be the place history will give MT. Wilson as a statesman That he will be given place among the foremost those of his time there is no reason doubt
 The eight years of the Wilson Administration constitute glorious pages in American history Ihey have added the strength, character and glory the United States than those that cover any other administration since that of the immortal Lincoln
 It is concedede that the first Wilson Administration was characterized by.4Sshat was probably the most effort over tmade in this country to trans late promises and platforms into statutes and ad- mnisratye policies It gave the Federal Reserve banking and currency law, without which we would have been able to finance the and recon struction without panic; it the direct cleo toin of Senators; it gave the income tax law; it gave the farm loaf, law; it laid he foundation for the great 98mercan navy; it tariff law that practically removed the tariff question from politics, and it gave many other things,
 The first half of the second Administration was devoted to our participation in the World War, and the results tell the story of the character the leadership the President exercised. The world was amazed by the rapdity with which the United mobiliKed for the conflict and by the force of the blow she struck. That he the clearest inter preter of the issues involved in the admitted His translations of the spirit of the conflict were accepted by the Allied World and they added i'm lneasurably to the enthusiasm and determination with which the hosts of monarchy and absoluts1 were met.
 Unfortunately, the President was caught by the reaction which followed the tedious delays and pro traeted wrangling the peace terms and mor Unfortunately, while battling bravely against tho most skillfully organized campaign ever agains an American in high office, he was stricken witt diseas@ and for the last year ard a half of hi Administration he has been very sick man. Throug the final struggle between the forces that wage partisan the League of Nations he wa physically unftted for leadership
 The United States has progressed long wa, since President Wilson assumed leadership eigh years ago In that time she has changed from { debtor nation to the greatest creditor country tn world has ever known. She has become the fnaneia and banking center of the world She has develope. balances of trade in her favor undream of in 1915 She has developed d great merchant marine takin place alongside of Great Britain in maritime affair." a place she had surrendered at the time of% tn Civil War
 While II will take long tme probably, fo the feeling that developed against Presden Wilson during the controversy over the League Nations to disappear, it already is softening Ther IS no doubt but that President Wilson had nor admirers and possessed geratcr degree of tn confidence or the American people on the last da, oi ms term than had been the for more tha year