The age-herald., 1898-09-10
THE PRESIDENT
 WILL COME LATER

President Mckinley has promised to visit Birmingham in the near future. To the committee which called upon him in Wash ington on Wednesday, he said he feared it would be impossible for him to be in Br- mingham on the 20th of October. but he would endeavor to come shortly after that time. The committee which invited him was unanimously of the opinion that the Peace Jubilee could not be the great suc- cess which it should be without the pres ence of the President of the United States. It Is probable that the local committees are of the same opinion. It would be better to postpone the jubilee until some time in Mo- vember when the president can be here and when he promises to come if it be possible for him to leave his duties in Washington at that time.
 Every member of the committee which visited the president was delighted with his personality. He expressed himself as ex- tremely appreciatve of the invitation. He said he had heard much of Birmingham. and it would give him great pleasure to visit this city and see for himself the won derful industrial strides which have been made in this section in recent years.
 
 After the others had left the presidents room, had brief personal interview with him. He told me that he hoped after re- turning from his western trip to visit the military camp at Jacksonville. He expressed himself as greatly att tached to General Lee and said he was anxious to visit that camp because General Lee desired 1t. He, however, expressed the opinion that the war was not over by any means and that he could not make advance engagements with any certainty that they would be filled, for the reason that events might so shape themselves as absolutely and then not be able to attend
 added:
 If l am fortunate enough to be able to visit Jacksonville l shall certainly visit Bir- mlngham. l may possibly be able to get there some time in November, but 1 would advise that you go ahead with your Peace Jubilee without me and l will come later. Of course. it would give me great pleasure to be present on this occasion, but it would be unpleasant to say that l would be there and then not be able to attend.
 
 The President was eager to know if the
 
 to the regular army to that which she fur nished in the call for volunteers. He said the United States would now find it neces- sary to keep large army, portions of which must be stationed on the islands which had been acquired, and he hoped there would be no difficulty in getting men from all sections of the country alike
 From the presidents conversation I was impressed with the belief that he had de- termined to hold all the possessions &C., quired from Spain. He is in no humor to make any concessions in the peace negotia- tionS.
 l have known President Mckinley for many years. 1 knew him when he was a congressman. He was always affable and pleasant to every one he met. As president he is the same He is thoroughly demo- cratic and generous in his manner. Indeed, though he be a republican, he is one of the most popular and thoroughly conscientious presidents this country has had in many years.
 When he does come to Birming lam there will be such a crowd to turn out to greet him as Birmingham has never before known. E. w. B.