El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-11-20
PRESIDENTS VISIT TO EUROPE
WILL AID PRACTICAL, JUST PEACE

ONCE president Wilson destined to play leading part
- N arranging terms Of peace it is entirely proper that
ne should to Europe and take part IN the actual nego
aions He has Just announced his intention going
France Immediately after the regular session of
December He Will be in constant touch there
with the members of the American delegation to the peace
conference although he has not yet whether
rot he viii himself be of the delegates whether he
viii take the role Of spectator and adviser It is optional
With him He has the appointing of the delegates.
Ahoughssome Of those politically opposed to the presi-
dent may take the view that he is going Europe
purpose Of dominating the peace conference
time to be free Of suggestions from Republican sources
regards peace conditions this apparently is unjust the
president As matter of fact it would be impossible for
the president to dominate the peace conference
ne so minded for the that the representatives Of
Great Britain and France who doubtless viii include pre-
mer LoydGeorge and premier Clemenoeau, statesmen
with convictions strong those of the president and
even better acquainted than he with political and economic
conditions IN Europe.
But it is fact that president Wilson has, more than
anyone else defined the principles for which the allied
tons conending He may almost be said to have fur
nhed the ideals of the war except insofar Great Britain
furnished them by entering the conflict in defence Of Bel
gums outraged neutrality President Wilson still stands
the leading exponent Of principles among the allied
statesmen and he VIII continue in that role throughout the
progress Of the peace negotiations.
Since that is the case viii be advantageous for the
president to visit Europe, where he viii have better first
hand information supplemented by personal observation
At home, his position is rather too remote however well
he may try to keep in touch with affairs IN Europe by
Of cabed reports. There are times when It IS well
be detached in order to think soundy and others when
Il best to be the spot where things happening
This is OF the latter times.
II would be well if the president to traverse the
whole battle area, visit the villages Of Belgium and the
ruined cities Of France things for himself and hear
the tales Of the civilians who have gone through what
seemed eternity of suffering He should talk with sol
ders too who have upon awful sights upon enter
ing places whence the enemy had been driven He should
hear these things not to work up detestaon of
German methods greater than he may already have but in
order that if he be inclined forgive and forget, he
may be fortified against the temptation to incline too far
toward policy of lenieny That has been the only fear
Americans with regard to the presidents part in peace
negotiations that he would be fooled by fair sounding Ger
professions and lean far toward the ideal and the
theoretical to forget the practical.
We want no easy peace with Germany tolerant atu-
tud resulting undue clemency would rob the allied VIC
tory Of much of its strength And It would be bad for
Germany too merely fostering ambition to recover
strength and renew the conflict The presidents a peace
terms which both sides have accepted principle, form
merely basis for negotiations. If simply signed by the
both Sides they would be too on
the central powers well difficult of application 1t
Is the application of the presidents excellent abstract
principles to very concrete problems of European ana
colonial lands and peoples which viii furnish the diploma
fists with task requiring their best thought The pres
dent Is sure to have important part in these debera
tons whether he be in Washington IN Europe He IS
sure to contribute materially to the discussions and he
can be Of assistance by being at the place Of confer
enoe than by attempting to participate at long range
Tie president viii not be out Of touch with his own