The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-04
BY ROBERT ]. BENDER.

Hoboken, n. j., Dec with Presi-
dent Wilson en- route to France.)-
Facing the keenest diplomatic duellinS
of his political career, President VIII
son heading the American commits
sion to negotiate peace" started on his
momentous journey to France today.
Unframed in the shrewd maneuvers
of historic statecraft and ineXperi-
enced In world diplomacy until sud-
denly thrust forward as the spokes-
man of the associated governments
during the world war, the president
leaves to guard, he says, the principles
are now to be threshed out at the
peace table.
His special train pulled up on the
port siding at 1920 this morning from
Washington. About a half hour later
the executive boarded the giant former
German liner George Washington,
resting at pier No. and had break
fast. Awaiting the transport was the
huge American dreadnaught Pennsyl-
,ania, flagship of Admiral Henry T.
Mayo, Communicated of the At
lantic squadron, ready for its serious
duty of being head escort ship. Capt.
L. NJ. Mutton commands the Pennsyl-
vania.
other escort ships included the de-
stroyers Wickes. Woolsey, Lea, Tar
bell and Yarnell. In addition to these,
ten other destroyers-the Mahan. Red
ford, Breese, Craven. Dorsey. Robin
son, Wake. Montgomery. Lamberton
and Perkins-wili accompany the
presidential party for the first forty
eight hours of the trip and then re-
turn. A=-~ q -
Off the coast of France, the presi-
dental ship will be met by two divi-
sions of the Atlantic fleet and escorted
~ A r, Odd
will be in command of division No. 3,
which includes the battleships New
York, the flagship, commanded by
Capt. +. L. Beach: Texas, Capt. Victor
Blue; Wyoming, Capt. H. H. Christy;
Florida, Capt. M. M. Taylor; Arkan-
sas. Capt. L. r. Desteiger; Nevada,
Capt, w. C. Cole.
The other division. No s, will be
under the command of Rear Admiral
T. S. Rogers. includes the Utah, Cap
tain +. B. Bassett; Oklahoma, Cap
tain Charles B. McVey; Arizona, Cap
tain John A. Dayton.
Three Years After Ford.
1t was just three years ago today
that Henry Ford sailed on his unique
pilgrimage to end the war. At 3:15
O'Clock in the afternoon of this date
in 1915, his chartered ship, the Oscar
II. with bands playing and flags fly
ing. swung out from this same port
ana neaued down the Day.
The Inflated Ford expedition had as
its motto Get the boys out of the
trenches by Christmas" The purpose
of the American delegates on their
great mission today is make a peace
that will keep the boys out of the
trenches forever"
Sponsor OF Weak.
President Wilson'S position in this
delegation today-as recognized spon-
of the Her nd r
of the world-has no precedent in the
history of peace conclaves. At 1914
congress of Vienna, the only near par
! allel to the forthcoming conclave,
there was no champion of liberty for
oppressed nationalities.
OF the great outstanding figures of
that congress. Talleyrand, French dip
lomatic genius, represented the last of
the Bourbons, whose chief concern
was continuance of royal SUGGESTIONS
The Austrian, Metternich, whose in
fluence at the conference was such
that he himself boosted: 1.-THE con-
gress? 1t is l." was there to~fight
for the preservation of HapsbLrgs,
| whom the cause of liberty as advo-
Gated 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 con-
cerned in that historic gathering in
the seizure of helpless Poland, while
| President Wilson today is en- route to
! France to fight for the complete free
do. n of that people.
Rear Admiral H. s. Knapp and Cap
tain w. A. Pratt accompany the presi-
dental party and will report to Ad-
| miral Benson. naval representative
with Colonel House on the peace mis-
| sion as his assistants. Admiral Knapp
| has been in command OF naval forces
of Haiti and San Domingo. Captain