The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-11-23
PRESIDENTS PEACE PLANS.
WOODROW WILSON MAY REMAIN
IN FRANCE INDEFINITELY.
Chief Executive to Be Present at the,
Peace Conference Until Major Por-:
ton Of Work at Least is Completed
Especially Interested in Several.
Vital Problems.

Washington, Nov. 1s.-Den1ocratic
senator's who conferred with Presl-Fs
dent Wilson tor two hours left the
White House with the impression that
the president now plans to remain IN
France indefinitely or at least until
the major portion of the work Of thes5
peace conference has been completed.
The president was understood to be-
especially interested in the applica-
ton, in the framing of the treaty, Of
the principle of the freedom OF the
seas, which hG enunciated in his IL
terms, and on which the allies IN
agreeing to discuss peace with Ger
many have reserved the right OF:
freedom of action at the peace conS
ference.
The plan for a league Of natiopsS
was another subject to which the
president was said to have given
much study. He was understood to-
regard this as essential for the main
tenance of the peace Of the world. 81
During his absence from the Bnitedsi
States. the president plans to continue
to exercise an the functions of his Of
fee. He Will keep in connuEsca
ton with Washington by wireless:
while at sea and by cable and if nee
eecary, by dispatchsboats while he IS
abroad
While in France the president was
said to plan transaction Of any neces-
sary executive business in the Aperi-
can embassy. Technically he then
would be on American soil, Should
he visit London or any Of the other
allied capitals, the embassies there
would become his executive head
quarters.
Besides discussing his plans for his
trip abroad, the president was UNDER
stood to have taken up with the.
senator's problems Of reconstruction
and necessary legislation. 1t was sad
! that he opposes creation of a recon.
struct;on commission, either executive
or congressional, preferring. that the'
work be done by existing agencies,
such as the war industries board, the
! food administration and the war
trade board.
|! Senators attending the conference
included Simmons and Overman, OF
North Carolina, Pomerene cf OHIO,
Walsh of Montana, and Swanson OF,
Virginia, all chairmen of important
committees. During the day gsthe
president had conferred with Sena-
tor Martin of Virginia, the Democrat
ic leader.
Tn. American merchant marine,
labor problems and the war revenue
bill were other subjects taken up at
! the conference tonight which lasted
until after 10 o'clock. The president
is said to have reiterated his views on
/ the necessity for great fleet OF
ships to carry the nations commerce
and 10 that end favors continuation
! OF the government shipbuilding pro-
gram.
Regarding labor, senators were
said to have been told that mainte4
nance Of utmost confidence between
employers and employees is partica,-
larry essential during the period Of
reconstruction.
Retrenchment in federal expendi-
lures. as far as is consistent was said
to be desired by the president, Who
told the senators he had already ta-
ken steps to that end In this con-
nection the pending war revenue bill
was discussed. especially with Sena-
tor Simmons. chairman Of the senate
finance committee. The president
asked regarding prospects Of it's
passage, in view of his approaching
departure for France and was advised
by Senator Simmons of the prospect
Of delay and determined Republican
opposition to the plan proposed by
Secretary McAdoo for determination
in the pending measure of 1920 :ax
rates.
The reconstruction and legislative
questions, the senators were said 10
have been informed, probably will be
dicusssed by the president in his ad-
dress to congress at the opening OF
the new session December 2. At hat
time he is expected to outline his
views ON the necessity for maintain
ing some government war agencies,
at least for Il limited period after the
peace treaty is signed.
The president plans to sail for
France soon after congress recon-
venes, and it was understood that fer
conference tonight, covering the cam
paign and ether questions. In con-
necticn with the presidents plans for
transacting his business with an
American embassy as headquarters, it
was understood that he feels there will
be little difficulty in disposing Of leg
islative question that ARRIVE. If nee
eSsary. it was said the engrosSed text
of 2 bill could be sent to him by
courier on dispatch boat. veto.
it was said. could be accomplished by
cable.
In the discussion of legislative
questions. it was said that only chose
OF the coming session were consid-
cred and that no mention was made
c;5hei o; prospective Republican con-
troll Of the next congress Or of an eN-
"a session.