Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-04-11
Wilson's S
Hand
Be Felt
Ex- President Likely
To Play Active Part
In Peace Moves of
Congress
By David M. Church.

Washington, April 11.-As the
wheels of congress began to turn
today perhaps the most interested
observer was greyed and broken
man who sat the seclusion of his
library here-Woodrow Wilson,
ex-president of the United States.
Although out of public office,
and keeping out of the public eye,
Woodrow Wilson Is not out of pub
lie mind. There are many close
observers here who believe that
the alert mind of Woodrow Wilson
and the pertinent words of the
Wilson pen may have greater in
fluence in the work of the present
congress than is at present real
ized.
The United States is no nearer
peace today than it was when
Woodrow Wilson gave up his resi-
dence at the White House on
March 4 last. The Harding ad-
ministration is apparently cogni-
zant Of the fact that it must make
some move toward the re-estab-
lishment Of peace and that this
move must be made fairly early in
the present congress.
1t is difficult problem that the
administration has to meet, and
perhaps it is with some degree of
satisfaction that the former presi-
dent sits in his study watching
and waiting for the first moves OF
the administration.
Woodrow Wilson is reticent
with regard to the future. No one
knows whether he is through with
the league of nations or not. Yet il
is recalled that shortly before he
left the White House he told a
group of Harvard students he in
tended to devote the remainder of
his life to carrying forward the
work that he started at Paris.
There are many who believe the
former president thus indicated
his intention of becoming factor
in whatever peace negotiations are
undertaken by the Harding ad-
ministration.
Though broken in health, the
mind of Woodrow Wilson is still
the keen mind of the man who
went to Paris more than two years
ago. The biting phrases of the
old Woodrow Wilson have not
been in any way disabled by the
physical disabilities of the man,
If he chooses to enter the treaty
fight by appealing to public senti-
ment, there is little doubt he could
prove at least an embarrassment
to the administration and his old
enemies of the senate. The follow
ing of Woodrow Wilson is still
legion, and the acrid words of the
ex-president may perhaps be used
to a degree which will be annoy
ing to those who are now struS-
Cling to finish the peace task
which Mr.. Wilson undertook and
didn't accomplish.
The - question of peace is not
likely to be the only matter before
congress which may feel the effect
of the Wilson influence. Wood
row Wilson stands out today as the
most prominent democrat, and al
though his party is just beginning
to recoup from the disastrous re-
suits of the last campaign, there
are many who regard the former
president as the real leader of the
party.
In congress Woodrow Wilson
never had many close friends even
among the democrats, yet his par
ty colleagues held his views with
the greatest respect. II will not
be at all surprising Il the demo
Gratis in congress turn to Woodrow
Wilson for counsel on matters OF
domestic legislation.
Woodrow Wilson has never had
what could be called an affection
ate regard for congress, and he is
today in almost as good a position
to oppose his enemies in that body
as he was as president of the Uni
ted States. The former president
is known to be man of strong
dislikes and one who does not for.
get his enemies.
Although a man physically i'll
and a man who has suffered defea
+ before the people of the country
Woodrow Wilson is still a man o
power.
The present congress had bes
keep its eye on the sick man o
234O S street, NV.