Evening star., 1923-11-22
Wilson Armistice Day Speech
Stirs Hot Editorial Comment

All of the bitterness which marked
the original fight over the league of
nations has been revived through the
Arfnistice day address OF former
President Woodrow Wilson. Editors
discuss his statements with extreme
heat and from the viewpoint of their
own beliefs.
It was because he realized the
power that this country exerted that
he spoke as he did, the Portland
Journal Independently suggests, and
knowing what was once possible
and seeing what has come to pass:
seeing France on a career of militar-
ism and Italy flying the flag Of des-
potism. 1t was but human that Mr..
Wilson, In his first address to his
countrymen since he, fell as a cas-
ualty. should hold that. through
cowardice, we lost the fruits of VIC
tory" ..,4--
This is also the opinion of the
Milwaukee Journal (independent),
which argues "the frightful bosies
that were erected to defeat our par
ticipation for the protection of the
world are most of them ridiculous
today. But the frightful conse-
quences Of our great denial are more
to be expected that the former Presi-
dent would talk plainly, the Albany
Knickerbocker Press dndependsnt MT
| republican, holds, because, ''in the
sad evening of his lifetime, with
| health shattered, he views his life
to humanity, in a state of wreck Just
when it might have been in full
fruition. Nevertheless. his words may
| not be deemed as expressing resent
| ment; instead, they should be con-
sidered as a recall to the highest
| ideals of disinterested service, and
| the constant maintenance of exalted
standards of conscience and right"
Some may regret the tone of the
pendent democrauc) points out, be-
cause ito be called ignoble, cowardiy
and dishonorable Is not pleasing to
| national conceit and is not calculated
/ to make converts in the opposing
] camp. These words might well have
| been omitted as a matter of expedi-
ency, and the ordinary politician or
public man would have omitted them.
But that is not Woodrow Wilson's
way. and where his heart is enlisted
truth as he sees 1t in flaming words
| Indorsing the statements OF the
former President. the Fort Worth
Star-Telegram (democratic) feels ut
is even more important now than
three years ago that the weight of
this nation be thrown quickly and
oonclusively on the side OF right and
liberty. We must uphold right and
oppose wrong" The address i'm
presses the Toronto Star as q. "cour-
lean. Party politics placed the
United States in her present humilt-
ating position and party politics
must restore her to her rightfui
Ing and powerful member OF world
The Lincoln Star insists Woodrow
Wilson spoke the truth when he said
Americas conduct had been deeply
ignoble. cowardly and dishonoraele'
since the world war. Certainly it
has not been In keeping with the
magnificent traditions of the great
est republic in the world. The Bos-
ton Transcript Undependent repGo-
lican), however, takes sharp issue
with the address. inasmuch as "a
course of action might have been
outlined and some practical plan
could have been proposed. Instead.
what happened9 A few old phrases,
! a Bit of feeble abuse, not one con-
structive word and all was over.
The voice had spoken" But the
Columbus Ohio State Journal dnde-
pendent) suggests his consrete pro-
gram may have been unwise and may
be unwise now. But his ideaiism Is
noble and should challenge the better
natures of those who. disagree with
him."
"IIis address was unfortunate" the
Nashville Banner independently in
| sists: "it was vain argument in
| behalf of a discarded issue: Its con-
| struction was bad, not at all. VII!
sonian. MI. Wilson will again fail