Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-11-19
WILSON TO ATTEND
PEACE CONFERENCE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
the United States, are OF first i'm
portance, for in all probability II
VIII be at these sessions that the gem
eral program which IL to govern the
peace congress will be arranged.
The president will attend the
opening sessions OF the congress at
which the broad principles Of the
treaty will be settled, but he will not
remain for the subsequent detailed
discussions and settlements OF vari-
Gus questions. This will he the work
OF the commissioners he soon is to
name to represent the United States
BY carrying out this universal pro-
gram OF having the conference draft
and adopt a general peace treaty at
the outset, the president and the en-
tente premiers will be able soon after
the commissioners assemble to re-
turn to their own countries and at
tend to important business at home.
Who Will BE President?
Since the suggestion that the pres
ident attend tho peace conference
first was made there has been much
discussion here as to whether while
absent from the country he could
'N'Aiihf " thAA 10 pl lt
constitution itself IL silent on the
question, and generally the question
is regarded as one which the presi-
dent himself must decide.
The prevailing opinion Is that Mr..
Wilson already has made up his
mind on this subject. He does not
go to the peace conference as a dele
gate aHd, consequently, II is held,
that should he relinquish his author
ity and functions OF office he would
he without power to act for the
United States in the discussions.
There is ample precedent for the
president to leave the territorial linn
its OF the United States. President
Harrison on one occasion went into
Canada, while President Taft visited
that country and Mexico. President
Roosevelt and also President Taft !
visited the Panama canal zone.
Both President Taft and President !
Roosevelt continued to perform the
functions OF their office while on the
visits to the canal zone. sending in
structions to Washington bath by
cable and wireless. II was pointed
out today that the president also /
could in this manner attend to any
pressing matters of Importance
here while he is abroad.
To Cross on Battlcship.
In all probability the president will
cross the Atlantic on an American
hattleship, probably one Of the navy's
newest dreadnoughts. While on
such a ship 1t is claimed he is on
American territory and technically
would be absent from the country
only for such time as he actually Is
on foreign soil.
II the president intends to delegate
any Of the functions OF his office to
to Vice President Marshall the vice
president has not been so informed
and this fact in itself was accepted in
some quarters az clearly indicative
that the president has decided that
his physical absence from the coun-
try does not create such a vacancy in
the office as to fall within the sec
ton OF the constitution which clothes
the vice president with authority TO
discharge the duties OF the office dur
ing the inability OF the president to
act.
The question OF what effect the
absence will have on the
work OF congress was freely dis
cussed tonight in congressional cir
cles. Many held that the president
could not approve or veto legisla-
ton while absent as the actual sig
nature OF the president is required.
Under the provision of the constitu-
ton II bills are not acted upon by
the chief executive within 10 DAYS
lfter their passage they automatically
become effective.
Little Important business.
Very little important business viii
4 80 49, n I1nHnY1-
her under the program as now out
lined. No pressing legislative mat
ters now pending or in prospect are
likely to be completed before the ex-
pected adjournment OF congress for
over the Christmas holidays. And II
congress does adjourn it will not re-
assemble until early in January and
the president probably will return
home soon afterwards
There was no statement tonight az
In whether the American delegates
10 the peaCe conference actually will
accompany the president or will fol-
low at a later date. In some quar-
ters 10 was regarded as likely that
thew would make the trip with the
president so as 20 have the advantage
OF conferences with representatives
of the allied nations before the peace
congress conVenes.
Secretary Lansing undoubtedly will!
head the American commissioners.
Others regarded as probable selec-
tlons az delegates are Colonel House,
| ,ouis n. Rrandcis, associate justice
OF the supreme court, and Elhu
Root. former secretary NJ state,
General Tasker II. Bliss, former
chief Of state and military represen
tative OF the United states on the
supreme war council, Is expected to
head the military representatives
from this country who will assist in
the work OF the peace conference |
while Vice Admiral Sims propably
will be selected to head the naval
8 b,legation. Resides the delegates and
,ilitary and naval representatives !
there will be secretary to the dele
CATION and a number Of assistant Sec |
and clerks