The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-19
TWO PRECEDENTS


 establish two precedents. He will be the first chief executive of the United States to participate in a peace confer ence far the settling of issues growing out of a war in which this country participated, and likewise lie will bs the first President to leave NortL America during his term of office.
 Tn reaching his decision to attend the peace conference, President Wilson is understood to have been largely iii- fluenced by representations from Pre- miers Lloyd George, of Great Britain, and Clemenceau of France. and other statesmen of the entente countries. The principles and terms Of settle ment enunciated by the President have been accepted by both the asso- ciated nations and the central powers as the basis upon which peace is to be re-established, and it is understood that it is for the working out of the application of these principles that his presence is so earnestly desired by the allied statesmen. Since the Pres ident is to sail for France early next month. it seems certain that he will reach Paris several weeks before the peace congress assemblies.
 TO DISCHARGE OWN DUTIES
 His purpose is believed here to par ticipate in the conferences now proceed ing at Versailles as the preliminary "a the meeting of the peace commission CTS. He thus will have the opportunity to discharge in person for the first time the duties of his membership in the su- preme war council in which he now is represented by Colonel E. M. House,
 Tn the general view here the sessions of the supreme war council, which bring together the entente premiers with the representative of the United States, q C of first importance, for In all probability it will De at these sessions that the general programme which is to govern the peace congress will be arranged.
 The President will attend the opening sessions of the congress at which the broad principles of the treaty will be settled, but he will> not remain for the subsequent detailed discussions and set dement's of the various questions This will be the work of the commissioners he will appoint to represent the United D States
 By carrying out this unusual programme of having the conference draft and adopt a general peace treaty at the outset, she President and the entente premiers VII be able shortly after the commissioners assemble to return to their own coun- tries and attend to important business al home.
 MUCH DISCUSSION
 Since the suggestion that the President attend the peace conference first was made there has been much discussion here as. to whether while absent iron the country he could continue to act as President. The constitution itself | silent on the question and generally the question is regarded as one which th< President himself must decide.
 The prevailing opinion here is that MT Wilson already has made up his mine on this subject. -He does not go to tho peace conference as a delegate and con seouently, it is held that should he re- iinuuish his authority and functions ol office he would be without power to act for the United States in the discussions
 There is ample precedent for the Presi- dent to leave the territorial limits of the United States. President Harrison oI one occasion went into Canada, while President Taft vis:ted both tbat country and Mexico. President Roosevelt and also President Taft visited the Panama Canal zone
 Both President Taft and Presidenj Roosevelt continued to perform th' functions of their office. while on tht visits to the canal zone sending in structions to Washington both by cable andxwireluess. It was pointed out todd, thet the President also could in thi. manner attend to any pressing ~aatters of importance here while he is abroad
 WILL CROSS ON BATTLESHIP
 Tn all probability the President vii cross the Atlantic on an American bat tleehip. probably one of the navy's new est dreadnaughts. While on such shiI it is claimed he is on American terri tory. and technically would be absen from the country only Tor such time al lie actually is on foreign soil.
 If the President intends to delegat, any of the functions Sr his office t
 xcsnl.ssse e..rees Na.el