NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 103, 25 January 1919, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

■ As yet there is no official authority for the report that President \Y ilson, when he returns home next month, will appoint Mr. W. H. Taft to ' take, his place on the American Peace Delegation, but it seems likely on several grounds that the report is well founded. Tlicro is no doubt that Mic. Taft is' exceptionally qualified to Represent his country at Versailles and that his appointment would give satisfaction. As an ex-President and a prominent leader of the Republican party, Mil. Taft occupies a position of influence in the United States which was much strengthened by the outcome of the late Congressional elections. Since, . under the American . Constitution, the Senate is the authbrity with whom it rests to finally ratify treaties, President Wilson is bound to attach due ' weight to the fact that the Senate is now dominated by a Republican majority. Mr. Taft has at all times interpreted the Republican success at the polls from the broadest national standpoint, and In'invoking his co-operation President Wilson would be able to count upon him as in the best sense a harmonising influence. Mr. Taft is known to be in full sympathy with some at- least of Mr. Wilson's most -important proposals bearing on peace, notably that in regard to the establishment of a League of Nations. - **- - * * THE-Republicans, it is interesting to note, are already represented on. the American Pcacc Delegation. It consists at present, in acldit-ion to President Wilson himself, .of Mr. Lansing, Secretary of State, Colonel E. M. ■ House, General Tasker H. Bliss, and Mr. Henry White. Mr. Lansing and Colonel House, the President's confidential adviser in foreign and other affairs, are Democrats. General Bliss, the American representative on the Supremo War Council, has given noVpublic indication of his political .leanings. Mr. White, v/ho was Ambassador Italy and France under President Roosevelt, ■ is a Republican. The appointment of ex-President Taft would therefore give equal representation to the Democrats and their political opponents.

. It is r not'easy' to pcrceivc any very substantial grounds for. the feelirig of_ relief .which, according to an American correspondent, has arisen in view of "a probable settlement of the Russian .question." Still less is it possible on the known facts to account for his optimistic observation that ■ this probable settlement, together with the success of the Moderates in the German elections ancT the compromise in Poland, seem to have solved the Bolshevik danger. As a whole these observations seem to attach greater significance than the facts warrant to the progress thus far made by the Powers towards a Russian settlement. Unless appearances are deceptive, the invitation addressed to all factions in Russia to send representatives to meet those of the Allies on an island in the Sea of Marmora_ amounts to little more, for practical purposes, than the expression of a-n amiable desire to be friends with everybody. This may be gratifying to the Bolsheviki, but much sympathy will be felt for the view_ expressed by M. Sazanoff, a Foreign Minister of Russia in prc-Revolution days, that the invitation is an outrage to all Russians who have remained faithful to the Entente. Acccptanco by the Russian factions of the stipulation that military activity must cease it is agreed to confer with the Allies would arrest the organised efforts that are being made or prepared from South Russia and from Siberia to overthrow the Bolshevikj. The only hope in sight for Russia seems to lie in the success of these efforts. In the circurastanccs there will not be milch occasion for regret if M. Sazanoff proves to be right in his prediction that the Siberian .and South Russian Governments will refuse to • confer_ with the Allies under the conditions proposed. •■ ■ -