The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-28
FACES
DIFFICULT YEAR
Peace Discussion in Europe VIII Be
Most Important Thing on the
Calendar Of the New
Year.
1917 TO BE EVENTFUL
Passing Year Has Been One of Almost
Constant Strain Upon
Nations Chief
Executive.
by Robert ]. Bender, United Press
staff Cores pondent.

SolIeSpOuueHI.J
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-President
Wilson faces a new year fairly teem-
ing with the portentious problems in
international affairs. Peace discus
cussion in Europe-with the president
as one Of the foremost characters in
the drama-loomed large on the
years horizon. Behind this vision,
however, there rose intricate and dan
gerous questions OF trade and diplom-
acy, the readjustment Of world af-
fairs and the economic revolutions
bound to follow the close Of the war.
In brief, 1917 promises to be the
most eventful twelve months OF Presi-
dent Wilson's administration. The
year. nevertheless. made its how at
the white house mildly. inaugurating
no changes In the presidents regular
program of daily work.
Looking back on 1916 the calendar
pages disclose twelve months Of al.
most constant strain at the white
house.
"Our own rights as nation, the
liberties, the privileges, and the prop
| erty Of our people have been profound
| ly affected" as a result Of the war,
the president declared recently.
| ll0 was VI Aio
long tour through the central west
urging immediate response to call
for preparedness; his constant Difficult.
ties with Germanf and England as
result OF breaches of international
| law; his appearance before congress
with warning that broken relations
with Germany was crisis immediate
" facing the United States, and final
ly the hope Of an end to these dangers
when Germany proffered peace to
the world
The white house itself has housed
some Of the most dramatic scenes In
its history. Full details may never
be told OF the dramatic conference be-
tween the president and administra
ton leaders in the library OF the ex'
ecutive mansion when 1t appeared In
evitable that the United States would
be drawn into war with Germany.
It was then the president told Sen
ator Stone of the senate foreign rela
lions committee that if another Amer
lean life were lost as result Of VIC
lation-by Germany Of her pledges to
this country on submarine warfare
the only course left open to him, was
to sever diplomatic relations with
yGermany. And questioned as to
whether or not such action would
mean war, the president replied he
had been told it would. 1t was q
stormy conference in which the minds
Of the president and his faithful lead
ers were laid bare.
1t was followed by an effort to pass
resolutions in congress warning
Americans off armed ships-a meas
ure fought to a successful finish by
the president himself. Later he ap.
peared before congress. notifying that
body of the virtual ultimatum to the
kaiser, following the Sussex sinking.
| There was another dramatic confer
ence in the white house. The gold
room, famed for its spectacular social
events during years gone by, was
opened 10 conference between the
president ard five hundred railroad
| trainmen in an effort to ward off a
nationwide railroad strike. This was
! followed by the appearance OF rail
road executives. representing millions
! Of dollars of capital, and for days the
conference went on to no avail.
Immediately afterward the presi-
dent welded his big stick over con-
sress and forced the passage Of an
| clGnt nOuT law, Tic StlIhS.
Then came the election. The ex-
citing scenes Of uncertainty surround
ing the climax of that struggle, were
! transferred to Shadow Lawn, where
the president was spending his vaca-
ton. The president himself tells an
interesting story Of the twenty-four
hours from Tuesday evening until
Wednesday evening when the returns
| RI and
then to Wilson.
During Tuesday evening he sat
with Mrs. Wilson and his daughter
/ Margaret. in the library of the man
sion, hearing the returns. They were
q dubious lot Of returns and after all
the New York papers had awarded
the victory to Hughes there seemed
little hope for him in the outlook.
! 81 retired about 1890" the presi-
dent says, telling OF his feelings,
land at that time the situation could
not be termed encouraging. | was
shaving the next morning when my
daughter Margaret, who had risen
early in order to catch a train for
New York, came up and informed me
, 7 was elected.
! ".Oh. pshaw,' I said to her, what
do YOU mean? Let's have some OF
the details She then told me that
early reports received over press as
sociation wires in the executive office
indicated the change. However,
went on shaving Details were moi
very complete. They, Of course came
later"
/ The president that day played ar
exceptionally good game Of golf.
, Mrs. Wilson's confidence in the out
come already had been indicated
when she planted tulip bulbs in th'
80. rard Of the white house II