The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-27
FIRST DIRECT
PEACE PARLEY
President, Lloyd George and
British Statesmen Have In.
formal Discussion.
NO HINT Of FAILURE &
President Wilson in Happy
Frame Of Mind-Finds
Friendly Atmosphere.
NO HINT Of FAILURE
(By John Edwin Nevin.)

London. Dec. ED. N. S.)--Pres-
ident Wilson held his first direct
peace conversations with representa-
tives of Great Britain today. He
met Premier Lloyd George and other
British statesmen informally during
the morning, and the program for the
day carried the conference into the
afternoon.
Lloyd George Cheered.
Mr.. Lloyd George arrived at Buck
inghan palace at 1880 o'clock. and
was loudly cheered by great crowd
|, that had-gathered outside. Z Rain had
fallen, but. despite the weather. the
enthusiasm Of yesterday was car
ried over and groups of men and
women filed the streets around the
palace. hoping for glimpse of Mr..
Wilson.
The British and American view
points, as they touch upon one an
pther. are unclouGed as yet FOR the
informal. But they were character
would he possible.
There is no possibility OF ievel-
opments, it was confidently stated.
that would prolong any differences Of
opinion.
Personal Contact.
The contact of the president with
the British has been very personal.
and the Significance Of yesterdays
great reception to the distinguished
visitor remains strongly in mind. 1t
may be explained that, while Mr..
Wilson's official visit has taken on
this deep personal touch, the Amer-
can executive will not attempt to
develop any decisive results until he
returns to France, where his su-
preme endeavors lie.
II is possible for me to state that
the president is in the happiest frame
of mind over the warm hearted well
come given him upon his arrival in
London.
Mr. Wilson is not willing to admit
for a moment the possibility of fail
ure attending his mission to Europe.
AS n matter Of fact. the president is
now more than ever convinced that
the atmosphere through which he is
moving Is most friendly toward him.
1t is impossible to explain the ex-
act nature of the unexpected devel-
opments because the presidential
viewpoint toward England depends
upon the collective results of the va
rious informal conferences.
Members of the presidential party
now openly characterize the visit
here and the forthcoming trip to
Italy as practically assuring absolute
agreement on the big principles in
volved before any decisive move
ment is made toward the actual
peace conference.
President Wilson personally be
lieves his visit will result net only in
agreements as to what can be done,
but as to what cannot be accom-
plished.
Personal Triumph.
Leaving out the activities OF to-
day. the presidents trip to England
can be characterized as a wonderful
personal triumph. This has been
shown by the fervid demonstrations.
The British people have shown Won
derful aptitude in expressing their
feelings and in staging their effects.
There is plainly no political desire
and they are not accepting Mr.. Will
son as fellow -countryman."
The dinner at Buckingham palace
on Thursday night, when President
and Mrs. Wilson were the guests Of
King George and Queen Mary, was a
social affair entirely.