The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-28
Everything Ready for De- parture Early Next Week. May Make Statement
 to People
AMERICAN DELEGATES TO BE NAM ED IN CONGRESS ADDRESS
Will Be Absolutely No Censorship on Proceedings As Sent Home By Newspaper Correspondents
 Creel Says

Washington, November 27 President Wilson's plans fol attending the peace conference are all matured with the ex. ception of the day and hour of setting sail. His departure, however, is certain early next week.
 It Is entirely probable that the
 first announcement of the person.
 mel of the American delegation will
 be made in the Presidents address
 to the opening of Congress, which
 will be delivered on Monday or
 Tuesday. At the same time the
 President may tnke occasion to
 make something in the nature of
 statement to the country as well aa
 to Congress on his going to Eu-
 rope, something no other President
 has ever done.
 NO CENSORSHIP
 The most important announcement that has yet been made in connection with the official plans of the peace
 
 there would be absolutely no censor ship on the news which the American newspaper correspondents senr back home. At the personal request of President Wilson both the British and French governments will entirely relax all censorship on all American news paper dispatches telling of the delib- erations Furthermore to facilitate the transmission of news to this coun- try, the government through it's re- gently acquired control of the cable lines will give news a preference over all commercial business on the cable lines.
 TO ASSIST CORRESPONDENTS
 George Creel. chairman of the com mittee on public information, also an nounced today that the committees $ machinery in Paris would exercise nothing whatever approaching cen sorship on the dispa tches telling of the progress of the conference. All the committees facilities, MT. Creel said, are to be devoted to helping the Amer ican newspaper correspondents get the news back home. The committees of fees in Paris will be used as head quarters for newspaper correspondents; stenographers, typewriters and inter- preters are to Be provided and the com mttee's machinery also will be used to assist the correspondents to get their dispatches on the cables.
 GRAVE DOUBTS HELD
 Until two or three days ago there were grave doubts as to whether any American newspaper correspondents at all would be permitted to accompany President Wilson on the trip There was however, to be no restriction on the passage of newspaper men to France by any means they might find available. MT. Creel took the position that the American people should be in- formed of the movements of the Presi- dent at all times. through their only source of information, which is the daily newspapers. and upon his repre- sentations it was finally decided to include correspondent of the Associ- ated Press and correspondents of the other press associations in the Presi- dents official party aboard the liner George Washington It was decided at the same time to give passage to the correspondents of individual newspa- pers on the army transport Orizaba, which will sail from HobokenN Sunday at noon. She will be part of the con- voy of the Presidents ship which will include the superdreadnought Pennsyl- include the superdreadnaught Pennsyl- ships.
 CREW OF ONE THOUSAND
 Besides the Presidents official party the George Washington will carry naval crew of more than 1000 officers and men. The George Washington, be- ing faster ship, will arrive in France at about the same time as the Orizaba It seems to be settled, although no of ficial announcenent has been made, that the President will go first directly to France, and later to England. and per haps to Italy. If he intends to visit any of the other European countries. his plans have not become known.
 CREEL'S STATEMENT
 Mir. Creers statement regarding the Presidents trip follows:
 Tt has been arranged that the repre- sentatives of the press associations will travel with the President and the of ficial party
 With the approval of the President. the Secretary of War has set aside the transport Orizaba to carry duly accredited newspaper correspondents to France The Orizaza will leave the Hoboken dock at F o'clock, noon. Sunday. December I. All passengers will report to General McManus at port of authorization pier {. Tn the matter of sailing list, no dis criminations will be made or special priv ilege granted. All responsible newspaper men duly accredited by responsible news paper publishers are entitled to passage. Passports have to be viewed by the VarlOuS cOHSutS III NeW IOrk- AppIlca- tions that have not yet been made should be filed at 1once and reported to me- Likewise, these applications that have been made, but have not yet been acted upon. The state department is extend ing every aid in the interest of expedi-l ton and press passports will be lifted out of the regular routine
 EXPENSE NOT SETTLED
 "The question of expense is one that cannot be determined as yet. This mat ter will be nut over for the time being, as the newspaper can be billed when the amount has been ascertained.
 Baggage should reach the baggage office. Pier No. 2, by 1e o'clock noon on Saturday If officials at this pier receive checks sufficiently in advance they will attend to collection.
 Tt Is requested and hoped that correc- ton will be made of the very untrue report that attempts will be made to in- tsrfere ib any manner with the free flow
 tcs.siaaed ss P.se rws.l