The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-21
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AMERICAN PEACE
MISSION IN PARIS
President Wilson Confers With
Delegates at Head
quarters.
ORGANIZATION RAPIDLY
BEING PERFECTED
The Report Sent Out By The
Chicago Tribune Enphatical-
ly Denied by. President.

Paris, Dec. 1S.-President Wilson
today paid his first visit to the
headquarters Of the American mis-
sion, comforting briefly with Colonel
House, Secretary Lansing, Henry
White and others and inspecting the
| organization now rapidly taking
shape.
Mr.. Wilson drove in an army motor
car to the Place de Ia Coneorde.
where all the American activities are
centered.
Before the presidents arrival the
American delegates conferred for
two hours regarding general plans,
mapping out work and dividing it into
sections. >. -.
Progress was reported in forma-
ton Of present branches Of work uz1-
DER the auspices Of American profes-
sors who now have practically per-
fected their inquiries.
No decision has yet been reported
as to the number Of delegates which
will represent each country the arri-
val of the. British delegates being
awaited. The claims OF the British
colonies to participation In the con-
gress is receiving serious considera-
ton, At. the same time it il expected
that unless limitation is placed on the
number. OF delegates the conference
will become too large to. accomplish
results.
It is understood that the. British
government. proposes. to, have five
delegates at the peace table and that
the United States will have three. rep
resentatixes at the conference.
The original plans contemplate the
conclusion Of the conference In April
or May. Although there have, been
many delays and some confusion in
the preliminary. work Of organization
some of the delegates, the, Americans
included: are optimistic, that the :. Ia
bors Of. the conference can be finished
by that time.
An outstanding. development today
was the announcement by President
Wilson Of. a. published story that he
had accepted b plan formulated by the
League to Enforce Peace.
An official statement made itEp!ain
that the president. believed that = a
league Of nations was Indispensable 20
| the maintenance Of peace, but that ne
had never directly. or indirectly m
dsrsed the particular. plan OF the
! League to Enforce Peace. =: :
President Wilson this afternoon save
out the following statement:
"The. Paris. edition of Sthe Chicago
Tribune this morning, in, dispatch
accredited to its. correspondent al
Washington, declared that before
leaving for France, gave assurances
that approved Of a plan formulated
~ the League to Enforce Peace. This
statement is entirely false.
.I am, as every one knows, not only
in favor of a league Of nations, but
believe the formation Of such
league absolutely indispensable to the
maintenance Of peace. But the par
ticular plan of the League to Enforce
Peace I have never directly nor indi-
rectly indorsed."
It was said today.that Former Pres
ident- Taft possibly submitted the
plan Of the leas1fe to enforce peace
to President Wilson. who considered
It as a portion Of the great mass OF
material that was being assembled on
the general subject.
On the question OF representation
i in the peace conference it is reported
that China will be accorded full rep
resentasion- The opinion was express
ed by some members Of the American
mission today that this fact Will give
China an, opportunity to press her
claim for a return Of Kiao Chau or at
most to permit Japan to continue the
German lease of the peninsula.
Plans were perfected today for the
meeting of President Wilson and
King Victor Emmanuel, who will ar.
| rive in Paris tomorrow. On Friday
the king viii haze luncheon at the
foreign office. Later he will give: a
dinner to President - Wilson at the
Italian embassy, and, depart the same
night for the front.
.esident Wilson'S disregard of
convention in going about streets un:-
attended by g1iards or police and in
using only army automobiles continue
to. cause surprise among the French
people. In most instances tho presi-
dent travels incognito. but owing to
the fact that his pictures are posted
throughout the city the populace has
no trouble in identifying him.
One of the matters discussed by
President Wilson in his interview with
Marshal Foch was the presidents
proposed visit: to the devastated re-
gions and battle fields. The presi-
dent is said to be viewing the trip
with much expectancy.