San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19

>seething with conflict of opinion be-
tween Wilsonites and anti-Wilson-
ties.
1t was not a mere academic contro-
versy which people could discuss hotly
without passion. 1t divided families.
1t caused quarrels among lifelong
friends. The mere mention of the
name of Wilson spoiled the amenities
of any dinner party and transformed
it into political meeting.
In my first article for the New
York Times, recording my impress
eions Of America, I slipped out the
phrase that II was all for Wilson,"
I received, without exaggeration, hun
dreds of letters from all parts Of the
United States putting me wise" to
the thousand and. one reasons why
Wilson's doing in Paris would be ut
terly repudiated by the Senate and
people. He had violated the constitu-
ton. He had acted without authority.
He had tried to commit the United
States to his scheme of the League of
Nations against their convictions and
consent. On the other hand, there
were many people who still regarded
him as the greatest leader in the world
and the noblest idealist.
Ignorant, like most Englishmen, of
the parties and personalities of Ameri-
can politics at that time, L kept NJ
ears open to all this, but couldn't avoid
falling into pitfalls. / made delight
full "gaffe," as the French would say,
by turning to one gentleman in the
Union Club before he acted as my
chairman to the lecture was giving
there, and asking him to tell me some
thing of Wilson's character and his
cry. 1t was Mr.. Charles Hughes, ex-
governor of New York and defeated
candidate for the presidency against
Wilson himself.
1t was the. last question which ]
ought to have. asked, as people ex-
planned to me later. But shall never
forget the fine and thoughtful way in
which Mr.. Hughes answered my aues-
ton and the subtlety with which he
analysed Wilson's character, without
a touch of personal animosity or a
trace of meanness. was aware that
was in the presence of great in
tellect, and a great gentleman.
/ had the opportunity of talking to
Mr.. Hughes in each. of my three visits,
and when he was secretary of state in
Washington, and each time was more
impressed with the conviction that he
was likely to become one of, the great
est statesmen of the world, and, I'M
like many great statesmen, had fine
and delicate sense of honor, and a
desire for the well-being, not only Of
the United States but of the human
race.
Between my first and second visits
Wilson's tragedy had happened, and
the United States had refused to enter
the. League of Nations. The Republi-
Can party had swept the country, in
spired by general disgust and disillu-
sionment with the Peace Of Versailles.
by tidai wave of public opinion
against any administration which
would involve the United States in
the jungle of Europe's rcial passions,
and by a general desire to be rid of
a government associated with all the
restrictions, orders, annoyances, petty
injustice, extravaganza, and fever Of
the war regime. As friend of-mine
said, the question put to the electors
was not, 'Are you in favor of the
League of Nations:' but, "Are you
sick and tired of the present admins
tration?" And the answer was, by
God, we are!"
President Harding reigned in place
of President Wilson. Owing to the
kindness of brilliant American jour
nalist named Lowell Mellett, who had
acted for time asswar correspondent
on the Western front, and who seemed
to have the liberty of the White House,
the Senate, Congress, and every office
drawing room and assembly at Wash