Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-30
HEAD DELEGATION
(Cop%;nuad Tram Dave Ooel

peace conference as representatives Of
their governments, but, like the Presi-
dent. may not remain throughout the
conference. The general understanding
here is that present plans are to have
principles OF the treaty and leave the
working out of details to further sit
tings. This would enable the President
and the Entente premiers speedily to
return to the capitals of their respec-
tive countries so as to give their per-
sonal attention to affairs of state. Sec
rotary Lansing. who heads the division
proper. became the secretary of state
in June, 1915. when William Jennings
to Germany In the Lusitania case which
he thought might lead to war. During
the three and a half eyears that have
folio, ed, Mr.. Lansing has conducted
many difficult negotiations for the coun-
try as a neutral and as belligerent and
his name appears on all the historic
documents telling the story of Amerl-
cas- entry into the war; as we'll as those
answering Germany's peace pleas which
pIetSutu tHt GOWllldll OI tDS central
alliance. At the time of his appoint
ment he was counsellor of the state de-
partment after career as an interna-
tional lawyer which had established his
Il 'utation as one of the foremost
American authorities on this subject
Mr.. White, the Republican of the dele
CATION, is diplomat of long experience
who began as secretary of the American
legation in Vienna in 1894. He served
as secretary Of embassy at various car.
itals. represented the United States at
several great international gatherings
IN 1905. was appointed ambassador to
Italy by President Roosevelt. Two
years later he was made ambassador to
rance, where ..e remained until 1909.
In 1910 President Taft sent him to Chile
as special ambassador of the United
states for the celebration of the cen.
tennary OF Chilean independence.
Col. House has never held public Of
fce but as President Wilson's persona,
friend and advisor he is credited gener-
ally as having played a greater mart in
the present administration than any
other except the President himself. He
ras been called into consultation at ev.
cry crisis and after going to Eurore in
~ j. lsio and 1915 as President Wilson's
personal representative to Euron~an
governments he was commanded IN
gather data to be used whenever fhe
tine Tor peace conference might come
He FASTENED to Europe when If ba-
came apparent that Germany was
crumbling and was in France to
speak for the President in conference
with the reads of the allied govern
ments WIN the terms of the armis-
tice and the basis for jeace discus
sion were determined.
General Bliss, who formerly was
chicf OF staff Of the army, went to
Europe last December with an Am
erican mission and later was per-
manently assigned as the American
military representative of the inter-
allied council at Versailles. AS the
American military representative at
the peace conference he will be as
sisted by staff Of officers. most of
whom in the understanding here. will
''o'' eiiC ScHeTdl stan Oh the
American expeditionary forces.
Admiral Benson has made several
trips to Europe since the. United
states entered the war and went to
Paris with Col. House last month as
the representative of the navy on
the supreme war council.
There is discussion. but no official
explanation of why two of the most
generally mentioned in the early
speculation as to the probable per-
sonnet Of the peace delegation do
not appear on the list Elihu Root,
former secretary Of state and Louis
Brandeis. associate justice Of the
supreme court, we're considered in
well Informed quarters as most like
ly to be chosen. Recently it has
been said that Mr.. Root did not care
to undertake the mission and that
Justice Brandeis would not be able
to leave the country because Of his
work in the court No further an
nouncemeht Of the plans were made
tonight. He expects to sail the day
after he addresses the new se6si0A q