The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-04
PRESIDENT SAILS
FOR FRANCE TODAY
fContinued fruus rage y

CONTINUED frv1f page -
the Utah, Captain r. 3. Bassett;
Oklahoma, Captain Charles Il. Nc
yey, and Arizona. Captain John a
Dayton.
il was Just three years ago today
that Henry Ford sailed on his unique
pilgrimage to end the war. At 81
lo,clock in the afternoon OF this date
IN 1915 his chartered ship. the Oscar
III. with bands playing and flags ny
ing. swung out from this same port
and headed down the bay
The Inflated Ford expedition had
as its motto, sect the boys out OF
the trenches by Christmas The
| purpose OF the American delegates
on their great mission today is TO
make a peace that viii keep the
BOYS out of the trenches forever
! President Wilson's position in this
/ delegation today-as the recognized
sponsor OF the smaller and weaker
rattons OF the world-has no 2rece-
dent In the history of peace CON
ciayes. At the 1914 congress Of VI
emma. the only near parallel 10 the
] forthcoming conclaTe, there was no
champion OF liberty for oppressed
rattonalities
OF the great outstanding figures or
that congress. TalleyTand, French
diplomatic genius. represented the
last of the Bourbons,- whose chief
concern was continuance OF royal
SUGGESTIONS. The Austrian. Meter
mich, whose Influence al the confer
ence was such that he himself boast
ed. The congress; # is j. was there
TO fight for the preservation of the
~ "a
erty as advocated by the allies in
the present war has driven from
power.
Emperor Alexander Of Russia then,
as Wilson does today, directed his
own diplomacy But he was chiefly
concerned IN that historic gathering
in the seizure OF helpless Poland,
while President Wilson today is en-
route 10 France 10 fight for the
complete freedom Of that people.
Rear Admiral H S. Knapp and
Captain W. V. Pratt accompany the
Presidential party and will report 70
Admiral Benson, naval representa-
tive with Colonel House. on the
peace mission as his assistant Ad-
miral Knapp has been in command
of the naval forces Of Haiti and San
Domingo.
Captain Pratt. assistant chief OF ma
val operations, has been acting mead
OF the bureau during the absence OIL
Admiral Benson.
The state department delegation TO
tie conference included Philip Patcnin
and Leland Harrison, assistants 70
Secretary OF The Commission Joseph
Grew, already over there; James
Browne Scott and David Hunter Mil
Ter, technical advisers in information
al law.
President S. E. Niezes, Of the Col.
Iege OF The City of New York. VINO
will aid tie mission; William McNeir,
disbursing officer, and s. Y. Smith,
draugnting officer.
The war department delegation OF
assistants, headed by Generals Herman
and Churchill, is either already in
France or enrOute.
More than a score OF experts joined
the peace ship here. Led by DR.. 3. T..
Mezes, Of the College of The City of
New York, they comprised college
professors and other noted in inter
national law, history, economies and
other topics vital to the conference.
They had collected tons OF documents,
including maps and business data in
the recent months labors.
President Wilson and his party
boarded a special train at Washington
at 1918 last night. Mrs. Wilson,
dressed in a smart dark tailored suit
with three cornered hat, was almost
hidden behind huge boquet OF chry-
santhemumg. The president. doffing
his soft hat, smiled acknowledgment
Of the crowds cheers OF good luck.
AT the station were gathered many
NJ TENDERS Of the diplomatic corps and
allied military missions.
Tremendous send-oH.
NEW YORK, Dec. As the presi-
dents ship breasted the ocean swell,
storm warnings were displayed along
the coast. Strong winds are expect
ed late today and during the night.
/ They viii be off shore. however, so
! the George Washington will not be
/ bucking the gale.
I New York gave the president a
/ tremendous send-of. From the time
his ship-with the president and Mrs.
Wilson on the bridge-left its pier
at Hoboken, until ii vanished into the
Atlantic mist, sirens and cheers and
fiuttering handkerchiefs bade au re-
/ voir to the first American chief execu-
tive to go to Europe during his term
! OF office.
/ Vessels off the coast passing close
I to the presidential liner, blew their
whistles In farewell. The dread
naught Pennsylvania and a feet of
fifteen destroyers conveyed the
George Washington Ten of the de-
stroyers will turn back later.
Wilson's Presence Necessary.
! [By Ed. l.. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent
LONDON, Dec. 1.-The presence OF
President Wilson at the forthcoming
peace conference is absolutely neces-
sary. in the opinion OF London morn
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