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Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1924, Page 2

Thu German feeling expressed at the death of ex-1 ’resident Wilson does not serve the nation well. At the moment such expressions of ill-will are sadly out of place, for they bring to mind the dark side of the German character so prominent during the. war. Naturally, the German nation will he resentlul of Woodrow Wilson for it rested with him to make the fateful decision for the United States to enter the war. Aineiiea's entry was not indispensable as affecting the final victory, hut it. hastened the end. First, tlieie was the moral effect, and second the material ready at hand to turn the balance in men and munitions. Afterwards, Mr Wilson dominarted' the peace conference. and the final treaty was moulded on the points he championed. It is too late now for Germany to he reselltL;i against one nation more than another. and perhaps least of all against the United States for up to a certain point much use was made ol America. Least of all is there any sense in blaming one man, and above all making a Iniri of one who has passed beyond human ken. Air Wilson was a man of great national ideals, and nothing Germany can do nr say will harm his worldwide celebrity, so that it is doubly futile for the German press to rail against om- who, while a. single figure, was no less a great personality in the war. Mr Wilson's elul was no doubt hastened by his work over tno war period. He carried a great, responsibility anti did it unflinchingly, llis prestige will not he tarnished by what the German press may care to say in their mud hate. Bather will the attitude of the papers reflect on the good sense of the nation, and its idea of the fitness of things at the present moment.

Ex-l’nnsinu.vT' Wilson who has | essed to Ifis long home has been eulogised on ail sides except that referred to above. That fact makes the objectionable reference the more noticeable. Dr Wilson v■ I! live long in history. His many speeches have golie on record. Tfe was

a man of high ideals, of firm principles counting for national freedom. His speech on tins oft referred to Fourteen Points, has been described as a record document as great as Magna Cliarta - probably greater in its ultimate effect upoi human destinies-, lie tilled a very prominent niche in the world'« afluirs. In America lie advanced his ideals fully and freely. He was not specially versed in the ways of political campaigning as practiced in America, and sn his inana in that country was undermined. But hi.s death has served to recall his merits ami utilities and to remind the world that a great and noble figure has passed from us—leavin' a memory and a record for posterity always to admire and perhaps later U revere.