Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-11-24
THE PRESIDENTS JOURNEY.

oNs LOUIS biObf- democrat.
The presidents announcement
that he has decided 20 attend the
opening Of the peace conference at
Versailles arouses no enthusiasm in
the United States On the contrary
we believe the feeling IL general that
1t Is neither wise nor proper And
this feeling is not based wholly, or
even largely, on the fact that the ac-
lion Is without precedent. 1t is true
enough that Americans are some
what attached 10 tradition and Gus
ON, but they are less so, We think,
nan other people. At any rate they
lave no undue veneration for prece-
lent, and II circumstances justify II
hey can always break one or a doZ-
en- without starting a revolution. 30
1t has been that President Wilson's
'reguent innovations have been ac-
,epted calmly, and there Is not likely
% he any considerable oh, lection to
his trip 20 Europe merely because
no president has ever done such "A
hing before. The feeling Of disap-
proVal is founded upon something
more real and rational
There Is, first OF all, the question
Of the dignity OF the office. We
Americans like to look upon our
president as Il servant uf the people,
which he is, and we feel offended
II he gives himself airs. But we
want other people to understand
hat the head Of the American gov
eminent is officially the equal OF any
iignitary on earth, and we are i'm
pressed with the belief that the pres
dent, in entering into a conference
with delegates from other lands WHO
are something less than the highest
in rank, is lowering the dignity OF
his office, The president OF the
United states is OF higher rank than
any premier. 1t is true that he has
the functions OF a premier. but he
Is more than a premier The only
persons he can meet on equal terms
In international relations are kings
and presidents OF other national gov
ernments. There is also the feeling
that in such trip AT such a time he
is taking risk he has no right TO
take In view OF his responsibilities
TO the people, The risk may not be
great, but we cannot contemplate the
possibility OF the vice president be-
coming the president, in the grave
situation OF the present without
'blllt Ntbl tt WI hpll tANliSA'lis fAhN
we find ourselves unable to look with
approval upon the act OF the presi-
dent in absenting himself from the
country. from his office and its con-
tinuOus and pressing duties, for the
length of time necessary for such n
Journey. particularly during a ses-
sion of congress.
II is true enough that the peace
conference is the greatest thing be-
fore the world today. 1t is true
enough that we have no interest at
home quite So great as our interest
In the work OF that assembly II is
true enough that the president OF
the United States Is the greatest
power in the world influencing the
conference for peace OF justice and
peace OF permanenCe But We haNe e
seen that influence exercised etteC-
lively from the, White House. and II
the country isSrepresented by dele
gates OF wisdom and ability we can
see no good reason to believe that It
cannot continue TO be 50 exercised
until the details Of the settlement
are established There Is no law TO
restrain the president from going,
but the country will watch him go
with doubt and await his return
with anxiety.