The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-17
CONFERENCE TO
START SLOWLY
Peace Parley Not Under Way
Before New Year, Wilson
Now Realizes.
PLAIN THINGS TO BE SAID
And President Wilson Wants
to Say Them, Confident of
Final Full Agreement.

Paris, Dec. iG.-After the confer
ence he has had in Paris and the
personal examination 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
war. M mere phYmcal proposition
of getting the American mission
settled In It's offices is a tremendous
job. II might almost be compared to
the task of shifting the contents OF
n building housing one of the great
emergency war organizations In
America and setting II up in a new
place. N&
President Wilson's visit TO the
PyAfnssSeassvysps,ys-st mr. Front t-xudsnss
review of them in ParfssA that IL
planned will be entirely out of tho
way by the first of the year. Mean
while, the Informal conferences
which mean so much and decide SO
much in laying the ground work
for such task as is before the peace
conference will 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,
IL is indicated, there are plain things
to be said and he wants to say them
and avoid antagonisms because, not
withstanding all the points to be
cleared up and upon which wide
divergences of opinion have been ex-
pressed as representing public opin-
ion in England and France, the presi-
dent Is confident that an acceptable
agreement will be reached before the
peace conference adjourns.
II Is recalled that diplomatic his
tory shows that conferences of this
kind usually. If not invariably, as
semble without definite programs to
work with and that such "A confer
ence probably never accomplished
precisely, down to the last details.
what is expected of it, but that 1t
always accomplishes something. The
Americans familiar with the history
OF diplomacy who are attending this
conference are convinced that 1t win
be no exception to the rule.
While things are shaping up for
the great gathering, President Will
son Is evidently working out his own
plans and for the most part keeping
his own counsel. He was exceed
inely gratficd with mis- visit to
Premier Clemenceau which was
largely personal affair. The presi-
dent told the premier some of his
best anecdotes and it is said the
French minister formed very high
idea Of tho presidents sense OF
humor.
Wilson's Health Good.
President Wilson's health continues
good He has completely shaken off
the cold which followed him to Eu-
rope. with Mrs. Wilson and Rear
Admiral Grayson. his medical ad-
wiser. Re ptDbably VIII take a turn
on the golf links at Versailles the
fist pleasant morning that comes
along and on which he Is not too busily
engaged with his stenographers. He
Is keeping in the closest touch with
affairs in the United States through
advicoa from the White House, from
members Of the cabinet and the
heads Of some of the special war bu-
reaus upon whom he Is depending
for accurate information.
SO far as is known. the president
has not yet selected a director gen.
cral of railroads and Director Cen
oral McAdoo may hold over until the
presidents return