The Washington herald., 1918-12-19
League Of Nations Plan Abb
.solutely Essential, He
Declares.
READY FOR BATTLE
Declares Reported Approx
al Of W. H. Taft's Plan
Entirely False
BY ROBERT WELLS RITCHIE.
staG Correspondent of Universal
Service.
Especial Cable Dispatch.)


Paris. Dec. 1s-Though American
general headquarters has not yet COM
pleted the plans for President Will
sons Christmas visit to the army, it
is possible to give the general scheme
of this, the most dramatic incident
of the Presidents entire European
trip, when the Chief
of the army will meet face to face the
veterans who have sanctified them
selves by blood and fire, making pos
sible the realization of their supreme
commanders command, to make the
world safe for democracy"
To them. as the worthiest workers
in the cause of idealism, president
Wilson will reveal all his own hopes
and labors on behalf of a permanent
healing of the worlds wounds and the
conditions prompting his visit to Eu-
rope.
Not only the American soldier. but
all Europes ears will be keen to
catch this modern Christmas message
of Peace on earth and good will to-
ward man"
Chaumont, where. doubtless, the
message will be delivered, was the
ing all the severe fighting last sum
mer 1t is a pretty little town. in the
Cote dor department, unscarred by
war. south of the Toul sector. far
from the Vosges and Verdun.
In Former Rest Sector.
Nearly one million men. occupy
what was cslled in war time a rest
sector, where at the time of hostiH-
ties. battered units returned to re-fit
and replenish their ranks. Now near
ly all line units except the army of
occupation in Germany are quartered
in this sector.
In anticipation of the Presidents
visit, concentration orders will issue
for the purpose OF assembling the
largest number practicable to hear
the Presidents words
Naturally. no more than q few thou
sand will be able actually to catch
the sound of his voice, but the wire
Iess' existing in the doughbCss ranks
will spread the message across the
whole sector as quickly as Hertzian
waves.
Other thousands who will not hear
his voice, will see the comrpander-
in-chief. for it is known the Presi-
dent hopes to cover by automobile
the whole rest sector during his two
days trip, visiting the divisional head
quarters and inspecting the hospitals.
camps and cantonments.
Ts do the Unexpected
1t is safe to say that Mr.. Wilson
will do many unexpected things His
disregard for cold conventions and
Str ha haan dfunin-
ished since he came to France.
General Pershing is still here. He
was busy today communicating with
his staff at Chaumont and making
preparations for the trip. 1t is not yet
known how many will accompany the
President or how he will travel. but il
is believed he will take a train as far
as Chaumont and thence proceed by
automobile. The roads in that re-
gion are excellent
The tentative date of Mr.. Wilson's
departure has been set for December
"a, and that of his return for the 9Th.
In a machipe the President could COM
.fortably cover the whole sector in two
days.
To Meet Italian Premier.
Tomorrow the President will see
Premier Orlando of Italy and sound
italian opinion. Late this week
Premier Lloyd George. Foreign Min
lister Balfour and Chancellor of the
ExcheQuer Bonar Law will convey
to him the British ideas on what are
regarded as the vital fundamental Is
for a proper peace.
Thus Mr. Wilson hopes TO nave
gathered enough information by the
end of the week to enable him to
give a definite statement to his own
people in khaki when he makes his
address.