New-York tribune., 1921-01-24
Wilson's Action
Held to Justify
Foes of League
rantention That U. S. Must
Sign Treaty or Sacrifice
influence in World De-
clared To Be Disproved
Present. Position Strong
Chances of Allied Concession
to Russian Demand Are
Improved by Isolation
BY Carter Field


wilson is regarded as having proved
sx his note to the League of Nations,
u,;ated this morning, one of the most
uuortant contentious made by the op-
,nnen.s in the Senate of ratification of
~ Versailles treaty. He is regarded
sAsvirg disproved one of the highly
.ousidered arguments made in his be-
half By Senator Hitchcock and others
xho stood for ratification of the league
,oyeuant without substantial reserva-
tens.
These two statements were fire.
uuently made to-day by men who went
through that grilling year-long fight
sser the treaty. and considerable salts
tsction was taken by the treaty op-
ossents out of the situation.
Their theory is that the Presidents
note demanding that the league powers
eesse melting the border states to war
on Russia demonstrates the tremen-
dous power which the United States
can WELD in world affairs even though
this country remains outside the league
itself.
Power of L. S. Demonstrated
Il. is freely admitted. of course, that
Il is impossible to determine at this
time whether the Presidents note will
have the effect of stopping the feeble
attempts to break the Bolsheviki by
military force. That is matter on
which only time will give the an
swer. But it is pointed out that this
country, in making this demand, has
treat deal more chance for its wishes
being yielded to than if it were merely
member of the league, with one voice
IN its deliberations. If made under the
circumstances of the United States
being q member of the league. it is
pointed cut, the expression would be
merely one of resentment against more
or less unofficial acts of other league
members. The chances of it's leading
10 action would depend almost entirely
On the desires of the other league men,
bers in the situation.
As the demand is made it has the
force behind it of the United States de-
Ginning to aid in settling very vexing
situation unless her demands are con-
esded. The difference is regarded here
IS being very important, 1t is pointed
cut that if the United States were a
member of the league and took such a
positior failure to satisfy this country
.ould pe met only by two alternatives
"a backdown by this government or
is withdrawal from the league.
Shantung Concession in Point
This is virtually the same position
IN which President Wilson, according
to some apparently we'll informed writ
ers about the Paris peace conference,
found himself time after time in the
peace negotiations. He could not keep
saying No all the time, and con-
stantly issuing ultimatums. So, after
having carried resistance to violations
Of his fourteen points TO an extent just
at the edge of the patience of his col
leagues, he was obliged to yield on some
questions. which he himself thought
should never have been surrendered
for instance. Shantung.
All of which does not mean that the
men who opposed the League of Nations
as Wilson brought the covenant back
from Paris are delighted with the
Presidents position as just taken on
that Russian situation. Some of them
are pleased, of course. They compose
The group which have more or less
sympathy with the Russian de facto
government, think trade should be
freely opened with it, and conditions
recognized
Some agree with the President all the
vay down the line, disappearing the
Bolsheyiki, expecting their ultimate
failure through internal collapse, but
opposing armed attempts from the out
side to break them on the theory that
such attempts merely solidify the Rus
sian people behind Lenine and Trotzky.
Others Insist on Force
Then there is small group which
still believes the way to deal with the
soishevlk problem is to go after them
With fire and sword. This gfoup op-
poses the Presidents action-wouid
oppose 1t whether this country were in
me league or out of it.
but the group which is most dis
erased IS the group which considers
var no matter what the merits of this
yafncniar controversy may be the
Lasiness Of this country Is to attend to
~, domestic affairs and not interfere
I'm the Russian situation or any other
psooiem confronting the League OF Ma
Tons Council
But members of al" groups seem to
ssrse that the President has a great
.sai more punch behind his demand
s'at eHorts 70 smash Russia by force
i..oM the outside cease. than he would
Ave - II that demand were. being made
" me United States representative on
LAG league council.