The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-03
President to Leave Washing
ton Late Tonight and Leave
in Morning on George
Washington.
LAST FEW HOURS BUSY
On Verge Of Departure Active Hostll.
ity 10 Shown and Trip to be
Made Without Hearty
Backing.
[By Robert J. Bender. United Press
Staff Correspondent

[By Robert ]. Bender. United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-President
Wilson busted himself with manifold
duties today prior to embarktng upon
his momentous task Of peace delegate
in the Paris world session. 1t was an
ticpated that he would leave here
late tonight for New York sailing from
there aboard the George Washington,
Wednesday morning.
There was lingering possibility,
however, that his days work would
render it impossible for him to leave
here before tomorrow morning. He had
many papers to dispose of and besides
he he'd calendar Of engagements
Throughout the day, including caDi-
net session this afternoon.
| State and war department officials
! have been busy for two days making
out credentials, collecting baggage and
performing the scores of labors that
such a journey, with so extensive a
party require.
The George Washington will be con-
voyed, 1t is understood by the battle
ship Pennsylvania, Admiral Mayo's
flagship and other vessels.
| Inc Will pC 5iOSI-
| ed part way across by section OF the
American foreign fleet.
| On the verge of departure, the presi-
dent found himself in an unusual pre-
dicament Heretofore hailed as nation
/ al leader and looked to for counsel
| abroad, he departs without the hearty
, backing of congress and to some ex-
tent with its active hostility. This
/ i,.i4 tho rrociinnt'S e
! failure to select any congressional
representatives and take congress
more fully into his confio ence. may
leave its stamp upon the presidents
/ Influence abroad. However, he goes on
the urgent invitation of the allied lead.
ers and is prepared to use the full
power of his personality and his pres
| tige to impress his peace views on the
conference.
! The transport George Washington,
on which President Wilson sails, has
been fitted with q wireless telephone
so that in an emergency the ship
commander could communicate with 9th
er vessels of the convoy.
This is merely an added precaution,
for normally communication would be
by wireless, by blinkers or by wig
wag
| Russian Ambassador Bakhmeteff
Will accompany President Wilson TO
| France it was learned here today. The
ambassador will present Russia's de-
sires to the allied representatives at
the conference, it was said. The de
cision was made at late hour after
it had been found desirable to have
Bakhmetieff in France at the time OF
the conference. Bakmetieff represent
ed the former Kerensky government
and has been inclined to a stable but
liberal and democratic government
for Russia.
/ Freedom of the Seas.
LONDON, Dec. 3.-"Freedom OF the
seas" is one Of the questions and
definition looks simple. until you be,
gin to think, when a kind of vertigo
is apt to supervene," the Morning
Post declared in an editorial today
commenting on the recent United
Press symposium of opinions OF Brit
ish writer's on the subject.
The Post republishes the sympo
SUM and comments:
"The collected definitions are in
teresting, if only because of the diff
ference one from another. We hope
the United Press is pleased with the
result which at least provides the
student with choice
After reviewing clause Of Presi
dent Wilson's fourteen points, th'
editorial observes:
Here is an example OF one o
those propositions which looks simple
until you begin to think, when kint
of vertigo Is apt to supervene.
III. G. Wells idea Is that fla
J (Conurued on page ~ Z