The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-10-29

al friend and adviser of Presiden
Wilson, has arrived in France, &C
cording to a Paris dispatch to The
Times.
Washington-Arrivals in France Of
Colonel House, President Wilson's
personal representative, and Admir-
al Benson, the highest ranking off
Ger in the American army. base
cleared the way for the beginning Of
such deliberations by the supreme
war council at Versailles as may be
necessary to frame the draft of an
armistice to be submitted to Ger
many. The premiers of the allied
countries who make up the political
elements of. the council can be as
sembled at short notice, but it is
presumed their presence will not be
necessary until the military and ma
val members have completed their
work.
1t was said today in official quar-
ters that Colonel House would not
be member of the council at least
for the present; that he simply is
the eyes and ears of the president
in Europe, charged with ascertain
ing the exact state of public and
private feeling in regard to all mat
ters connected with the war. Pos
sessed of full knowledge of this ma
ture it is believed the president will
be even better prepared than here
toforeto deal with every phase Of the
complex problems that will arise as
soon as negotiations for an armis-
tice and peace are fully under way.
Views OF Entente.
Individual views of the entente
powers are certain to develop as the
result of the action of President
Wilson in bodily stating the war
aims of the United States; in fact
it is understood that the president
desires to have these disclosed at the
earliest possible moment so that a
united front on these questions
might be presented to the common
enemy by prior agreement among
the countries fighting the central
powers, Colonel House will be in a
position to learn these separate
views and perhaps to reconcile ap-
parently conflicting interests and de-
sires through personal discussions.
Later Colonel House may take a
place at the council table if the
president desires. The president has
a vote in the council in the disposi.
ton of political matters and it is re-
garded as possible that he may dele
gate this power to Colonel House.
It has been suggested, however, that
these of the term "vote" in connec-
tion with the proceedings Of the
council is misleading. What is meant
is rather a voice in the proceedings,
for there is to be no voting in the
ordinary sense; no questions of ma
jorities or minorities. The members
are charged to broach freely for dis.
cussion of any subjects they please
and if any line of action is deemed
necessary each representative will
notify his own government of the
general sense of the council and il
will be for the home governments to
give the necessary instructions fol
any change in policy.
Benson Represents Navy.
Admiral Benson's status differs
from that of Colonel House in that
he presents himself at Versailles in
his capacity as the ranking officer OF
the American navy and consequent,
ly probably will be welcomed as an
expert and authority by the techni,
cal members of the council. No one
knows the extent of the powers with
which he has been clothed by the
president or Secretary Daniels, but
it is assumed that he can give any
orders necessary to carry out the
naval phases of any armistice that
is agreed upon so far as it may be