The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-19
WILSON TO ATTEND
THE CONFERENCE
IN VERSAILLES
Expected to Sail Shortly
After Congress Con-
venes in December.
AN EARLY MEETING
Official Statement Says
Names Of Delegates to
Be Announced at
an Early Date.
AN EARLY MEETING

Washington. Nov. iS.-Presi-
dent Wilson will head this coun-
try's delegation to the peace
conference. He expects to sail
for France within day or two
after December 2, the opening OF
the regular session of congress.
This was officially announced
today at the white house. The
statement Is as follows:
The president expects TO sail
for France Immediately after the
opening of the regular session OF
congress for the purpose of TAX
ing part in the discussion and
settlement OF the main features of
the treaty OF peace. 1t Is not
likely that 1t will he possible for
him to remain throughout the
sessions OF the formal peace con-
ference, but his presence at the
outset Is necessary in order to
obyiate the manifest disadvan-
tages OF discussion by cable in
determining the greater outlines
OF the final treaty, about which
he must necessarily be consulted
He will. of course, be accompan-
led by delegates who will sit as
the Representatives Of the United
States throughout the conference.
The names OF the delegates Will
be presently announced"
Mrs. Wilson will accompany the
president, it. was learned this after
noon, and the entire delegation
peace ENJOYS. secretaries, stenogra-
piers and the like--wiii probably sail
on one of the American bat1eshtps,
possibly the Pennsylvania.
The presidents announcement set
ties two questions. The first of these
Is the fact that the peace conference
will be an early one. beginning in
December; the second is that 1t will be
held at Versailles es,-=-=.=
Tns president viii Arpear Thefore
congress- presumably on the day its
regular session opens. to explain more
infinitely the reasons why. at this
time, it is imperative for him to &C
abroad. His reasons. 1t was said to-
day, will go far toward modifying
the feeling in certain quarters of the
senate and the house that 1t is I'M
wise for him to leave the country.
Unity OF Council.
There are two outstanding reasons
why the presidents attendance is
necessary at the peace conference. He
wants to preserve the unity of coun-
Gil that brought victory to the allies
and America on the battlefield and
which characterized the sessions OF the
he also wants to make secure the
of a league of nations The
latter is his plan for world and Last
ing peace and NJ is so strongly con-
vinced of its efficacy that he is going
to Europe to put 1t into concrete
form
BY common consent and approba-
ton OF all the allies. the president
will assume the leading role at the
conference. The position
Of the United States in the great war.
with his position as this ma
tons spokesman, will make him the
chief figure and one whose word will
the respectful audience of
all civilization He will be able to see
the peace conference started with the
right foot forward" and officials and
diplomats here believe that will be
half the battle for the eventful ami
cable settlement Of the grave Ques-
tons it will have before It.
The president will be absent from
the United States for three weeks. a
month or possibly longer period.
OF course, on develop
ments on the other side. It Is his
present intention to be at Versailles
for the opening Of the conference and
to gather from its preliminary dis
cussions an idea of what will follow.
Having impressed the conference
with his views and gathered informa-
ton of its aims he Gin be able to re-
turn to this country and at the same
time will be fortified to follow from
whatever details or diff
ferences that may arise.
May Make the Rounds.
The white house Is expecting an
of invitations now that the
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