The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-15

ercised by the gentlemen now to be
chosen by Mr.. WILSON to help ar
range at Versailles or elsewhere the
future destinies Of the world.
The most recent notable instance Of
the kind was President McKrNLEy's
appointment Of the Ave Peace Com
missloners, Judge DAY. Senator DA-
Wis, Senator FRYE, Ambassador REID
and Judge GEORGE GRAY, who repre-
scented this Government at Paris af-
ter our war with Spain. These ap-
continents were made during re-
cess Of the Senate. Congress ad-
journed in 1898 on July s. The Com
mlssioners were appointed by Mr..
MCKINLEY on August 16. They
sailed for Paris on September II.
The first meeting at Paris was on
October 1. Spain accepted on Novem.
Der % the terms proposed by the
commission and the Commissioners
signed the treaty Of peace on Deem
Der 10, only Eve days after the Sen
ate met In Washington for the third
session of the Fifty-fifth Congress
The entire work Of that commission,
therefore, was performed during a
recess Of Congress. The names never
went to the Senate, nor was the ques-
ton raised that was raised concern
ing Mr.. MADIsoN's Commissioners to
the peace table at Client.
1t Is worth noting that the actual
work Of the Peace Commissioners Of
1898 occupied more than two months
and q half; and yet Its problems and
scope were simplicity itself In COM
parison with the job which will con-
front the conference Of 1918.
This circt instance has a direct
bearing upon the highly interesting
proposal that President WILSON shall
go In person as member Of the COM
mission. Az absence Of from FIVE or
six months, perhaps, from his regu-
lar post Of duty. with the duties and
responsibilities pressing upon him
here at this particular time, would
be In any case a serious matter for
the country; even more serious II
during prolonged period Of Inability
to discharge In the regular way the
powers and duties Of his office 1t
should be held that under the fifth
clause Of section 1, Article H., of the
Constitution these powers and duties
automatically devolved upon Vice
President Of the calibre and tempera-
ment Of Mr.. MARSHALL
II, on the other hand, Mr.. WILSON
should decide to crafty by a flying
visit and an a,< eviated stay the
natural desire of the statesmen of
Europe to make his personal &C
Quaintance, his status ut the momen-
tous deliberations of the gathering
could scarcely be more than that of
visitor, guest Of courtesy. He
would be obliged either to name his
own alternate for great part Of the
time Of the conferences duration or
to curtail during that time the work
ing efficiency Of our representation
In Its councils. Moreover. inasmuch
rs any commissioners who accompany
him will necessarily be his subordi-
mates at the peace table, they will
not represent the United States with
the same weight, nor can they re-
ceivG the same consideration as would
be accorded them II he were not per-
sonally present. For 1t must be kept
in mind that In such council Mr..
wills oN's position would not be anal
ogous to that Of Premier CLEMEN-
cEAr or Premier LLOYD GEORGE; It
would be rather like the spectacular
entry of President PoINcARE or King
GEORGE the Fifth as representatives
of their Governments.
Perhaps the simplest way would be
for the President to stick to the
White House and trust the interests
of the United States to Commission
ers judiclously selected by him.