The Washington times., 1918-08-22

paratively little travelling except for
fishing and Hunting. Mckinley
. took in every State in the Union.
Roosevelt has repeatedly had his
feet on the territory of every SOW
ereign State, and William H. Taft
wasm, and is yet, an inveterate trav-
eler. There is hardly a broad cor
ner OF the United States that he has
not at some time visited As gov
ernor of the Philippines and Secre-
tary of War he covered the far East
in many trips and once went round
the world, returning to this coun-
try through Russia and other Eu-
ropean countries. He was in Panama
three or four times.
Mr.. Taft's friends charge him
with being afflicted with a travel
bug" He is never so satisfied as
when journeying backward and for
ward and elbowing with the world.
Mr.. Wilson's Excuses.
When Mr.. Wilson entered the White
House March 4, 1918, he inherited
from the Taft Administration the
nasty situation in Mexico, which
grew more threatening from month
to month. As leader Of his party and
President he had promised legislative
reforms OF great moment Assuming
the leadership he sought and slowly
obtained the reforms. Then came the
crisis in Mexico and the landing of
troops at Vera Cruz, with the out
break OF war In Europe. staying
on the job" has been the Presidents
motto. On his journeys through
many States he has kept In close
touch with the White House, and has
never been absent from the Execu-
he an af1r AnVR
at q time.
. In past summers he often used the
Mayflower, the Presidential yacht, for
trips down the Potomac into the bay,
and along the outer coast. This year
the vessel has awaited orders at the
navy yard. 1t is, of course, not pos
sible that the President would now
cruise along the outer coast with sub
marines working there, although II
he did SO the Mayflower would be
accompanied by q sufficient number OF
vessels to guarantee against sub
marines
French Want WilSoa.
French official and public life is
warmly and cordially urging the
President to inject his great person.
ality into the psychology of Europe
at this time, and this viii often be
urged upon him before peace comes
No living soul knows what he may
do or how developments may still
more strongly urge his presence
lover there" II he does make the
trip, It will be secretly arranged and
carried out Not until he Is on
French or italian or English soil Will
the fact be published The vessel
carrying him will be the fastest in
the navy, and guarded by torpedo
boat destroyers every foot OF the
way.
There would be strong opposition
to the President making this Journey
il the fact ever became known MIL
lions OF patriots would not want him
to take the risks, which might be
greater in France than on the At
landc.
0Id Tradition Broken
President Taft was the first Presi-
dent to break the very old tradition
that a President o. the United States
should not leave the confines of his
own country. The tradition came to
be almost an unwTitten law. Presi-
dent Mckinley rigidIy observed the
custom when he went across the con-
tinent in 1901, the year after his sec
ond election. He visited II Paso,
Texas President Diaz travelled north
to Juarez, just across the Rio Grande.
The two Presidents met half way on
the international bridge and ox-
changed greetings
In tho early part OF Taft's admins
tration Diaz was very old and fast |
losing his grip on the volcanic people |
he once ruled with an iron hand. Mr..
Taft went on a IanscontinentaI trim, |
too, and paid Diaz the compliment Of |
going across the famous bridge and
greeting that ruler on Mexican anII