New-York tribune., 1918-12-17
Wilson Is Made Citizen
of Paris; Assures the
N alton of American
Peoples Full Sympathy
Atrocities Drove
u. S. Into War
Visits Clemenceau i'm War
Ministry Office; Gold
Medal Is Given Him;
Brooch for Mrs. Wilson

PARIS, Dec. 16.-President Wilson
began breaking traditions day when,
IN addition to paying a formal visit to
the Hotel de Vile (City Hall) for the
appointed ceremonies there, he made =
call this afternoon at the Ministry OF
War for talk with Premier Clemen-
ceau, who also is Minister of War.
The President also decided to access
the dinner invitations of foreign am-
Dassadors, his first acceptance being OF
the invitation extended by the Earl of
Derby, the British Ambassador to
France.
In his speech at the City Hall the
president dwelt on the devastation and
the atrocities of the Germans in France
and Belgium. He told his hearers the
heart of America had been profoundly
touched by their sufferings. Americas
determination to enter the struggle, he
said, was based on this feeling of in
dlgnation Off the wrongs of France as
much as on the defiance of all liberty
and law by the enemy.
Agreement Is Reported
American officials say that as a re-
suit of the conversations between Mr..
Wilson and NJ. Clemenceau the two
statssn1el are now in complete agree
meht regarding the great questions OF
the peace treaty
The arrival of the various officials to
meet President Wilson has now been
arranged for. The Italian Premier.
Vittorio Orlando, and Foreign Minister
Sonnlno will reach here Thursday. The
British Prime Minister, David Lloyd
George. and Foreign Secretary A. ].
Balfour probably will reach Paris next
Saturday or Sunday. With Premier
Clemenceau, the presence of these
peace delegates will permit of discus
slons between the four leading powers
Great Britain, France, the United
States and Italy.
The inter-Allied conference probably
will assemble next Monday, but the
sessions will be brief not exceeding
two days. The initial meeting probably
will be held in the French War Office.
After the meetings the various leaders
will separate for the Christmas holi-
days.
The visit of the head o. foreign
nation to the Ministry of War and his
acceptance of the hospitality of foreign
ambassadors are not strictly in accord
ance with custom, but President Will
son felt that the opportunities thus af-
forded of getting into personal contact
justified him in disregarding the tradi-
tions.
Mr.. Wilson, accompanied by Colonel
E. NJ. House, but otherwise unattended.
arrived at the French Ministry of war
at 4:40 o'clock this afternoon. u
Clemenceau came with outstretcke6
hands to the top of the wide stairs and
greeted the President warmly.
Greeting Is Cordial
The Premier took Mr. Wilson's hand
in both of his and shook it vigorously
in the especially vigorous manner the
old Tiger" has when displaying pleas
ure.
How do you do, Mr.. President 2"
said the Premier.
Quite well, Mr.. Premier" answered
Mr.. Wilson.
you are not tired?" asked Clemen-
ceau
NO, quite ht." declared the Pres.-
dent.
MIR. Wilson was then ushcred bv
Premier Clemenceau into his private
Office, Colonel House remaining in the
antechamber chatting with General
Mordacq. President Wilson left the
ministry at o'clock.
Premier Venizelos of Greece mot
President Wilson to-day in a confer
ence at which the Greek aspirations
and viewpoint were doubtless placed
before the President.
Gets Views of Others
The meeting with the Greek Premier.
Ike that with Premier Clemenceau.
was outside of the formal programme
for to-day and constituted a part Of
the lnoimate personal exchanges by
which the President is obtaining tho
views OF the European statesmen and
they are obtaining his views.
The chief regular feature Of the pro
eramme to-day was the President :
visit to the Hotel de Vile at l:45
O'Clock in the afternoon, where MIR.
wilson was formally made d citizen Of
Paris. He was escorted there hv presi-
dent Poincare. Large crowds had gath
cred along the route and there wa,
a0nfh1r pop,,la,.