Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-17
WILSON
HIS OFFICIAL
PARIS VISIT
Much to Do Before Farley
Opens in January
Has French Support.

n d
Paris, Dec. president Will
sons official visit to Paris came to |
a close last night The Paris edi-
ton of the London Daily Mail, in |
discussing the presidents reception,
says:
He has had one Of the most re- !
markable receptions ever accorded |
guest of the French nation, al
though the president has been care |
full to give his view that in him
Paris has seen the representative
of the American nation"
French Back Wilson.
President Wilson mas been deeply
impressed by the reception given
him in Paris. the more so that re-
ports are declared TO have come to
him from what was regarded as a
dependable source that the French
people as a whole are sincere in
their acceptance of his principles
and will uphold them.
After the conferences he has had
in Paris and the personal examina-
ton he has made into the situation
/ here President Wilson has come to
understand fully why the peace
conference cannot get under way
( before the first OF the year. The
mere physical preparation OF get
! ting the American mission to the
( conference settled in its offices is
tremendous job.
Marks Time Until January.
President wilson's visit to the
American troops at the front and
! his review of them in Paris that is
planned will be entirely out of the
way by the first of the year. Mean
while, the informal receptions
which mean so much and decide
so much in laying the groundwork
for such a task as is before the
peace conference, with continue to
make progress. The president is
seeking to get acquainted with the
men with whom he is to deal SO that
he may discuss with the greatest
freedom the problems arising and
develop the value of the personal
equation.
Plain Things to Be Said.
From the presidents point OF
view, it is indicated, there are plain
things TO be said and he wants 10
say them and avoid antagonisms,
because of notwithstanding all the
points to be. cleared up and upon
which wide Emergencies of opinion
have been expressed as to repre-
senting public opinion in England
and France, the president is conf
dent that an equitable understand
ing viii be reached before the
peace conference adiourns. 1t is
recalled that diplomatic history
shows that conferences of this kind
usually. if not invariably. assemble
without definite programs to work
with and that sucn a conference
probably never accomplishes pre-
cisely, down to the last details,
what is expected of it, but that it
always accomplishes something.
The Americans familiar with the
history of diplomacy which are at
tending this conference, are con-
vinced that this will be no different.
Working Out Own Plans.
The way things are shaping up
for the great gathering, President
Wilson is evidently working out
his own plans. He was exceedingly
= gratified with his visit to Premier
! / Clemenceau, which was largely a
: personal affair The president told
. / the premier some of his best anec-
= dotes and it is said the French min
| lister formed a high idea of the pres
: ident's sense of humor.
!. President wilson's health con
tinues good. He has completely
shaken off the cold which followed
' him to Europe. With Mrs. Wilson
! and Rear Admiral Carey T. Gray
son, his medical adviser, he prob
ably will take a turn on the golI
links at Versailles the first pleas
ant morning that comes along. He
is keeping in the closest touch witt
, affairs in the United States. through
the means of dispatches from thu
White house, and communication
t trom various departments.
I Visits Versailles.
President Wilson's visit to Yer
i sailles today was unannounced anC
. informal. Mr.. Wilson's idea was Il
- inspect the golf course, but th'
= driver missed the golf course ant
I Mr.. Wilson saw only the palace.
Tomorrow night the presiden
will attend the reception to be Civ
en- by Ambassador Sharpe at th'
8 American embassy. King Victo
: Emmanuel and Queen Elena 0
Italy will be received at the Mura
q residence between and o'clocI
L FF7uv-.,Eatr aVaDinu
Today's reception was the last o
l aha affairs arranged wholly by tn
=, French government Hereafter al
u Mr.. Wilson's movement will be ar
d ranged for by his personal staff
r His conference with Premier Lloy'
70 George OF Great Britain. Is still In
definite as TO time.
Impressed by French Support
- President Wilson is said 10 hay
h. been impressed by the hearty vel
# come OF the French people as al
!, evidence of interest in the princi
Il pies he has expressed for the con
n cert OF the nations and the pre-
j. servation Of peace lie Is under tn
IconYicdon thai there are no dlffaE