The sun., 1918-11-25
PRESIDENT SHROUDS,
PLANS IN MYSTERY
Even Closest Supporters in
the Dark Concerning Vast
National Issues.
HOLDS NO CONFERENCES
Peace Policy. Reconstruction,
McAdoo's Successors, I'm
answered Questions.
Special Despatch 10 TUE suH.


WASHINGTON. Nov. 2i.-Not, since
President Wilson came to- washington
has tho White House been the centre
OF SO much mystery as now. Never
was there time when so little was
known Of the Presidents intentions or
his views on domestic and foreign
questions of vast import TO his own
countrymen and the world at large.
Here are some of the secrets the
White House now contains;
The Presidents plan regarding
the all important work OF reconstruct
ton. whether II shall be done by
continuing the existing war boards
or through the creation OF a new
body that will combine all of the
functions.
The successor to Mr.. McAdoo as
Secretary OF the Treasury, the sue
cessor to Mr.. McAdoo as Director
General of Railroads, and the general
policy of the Administration In con-
nection with the future conduct OF
those two offices.
The size OF the regular military
establishment after rehabilitation
ana the question Of universal mil
itary training.
Inc size and personnel OF the
peace commission and tho Presi-
dents plan for his European visit.
The manner in which President
Wilson would apply his principle OF
freedom OF the seas and also that of
the League Of Nations.
Holds No Party Conferences.
AS is we'll known, President Wilson
Is not given to disclosing his views
to many in advance OF definite action.
There Is no such thing as White
House conferences in the sense of the
frequent gatherings OF party leaders
that were held in the Roosevelt and
Taft administrations. Nor are there
iuncheons and dinners at the White
House which might serve as q me-
dunn OF communication between the
President and the outside world
through information brought away by
guests. Contact with the President of
tho United States is a rare thing,
so rare as to excite attention when
The nearest thing TO a conference
by which some Of the Presidents vie VS.
might have been learned occurred last
week when the President and five
Democratic Senators, chairmen of
committees. conferred at the White
House. But on this occasion. which
was so unusual AS TO cause much COM
ment In official Washington, the Presi-
dent acquired much information from
his guests, but impaired very little, so
little that the Senators returned to
the Capitol, as one Of them expressed
1t, Gin a fog"
One feature of striking Significance
in this White House conference. the
first in many months, was that It
failed TO include the chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee. Sena-
tor Hitchcock. although that commit
tee will be charged with the important
task of handling the peace treaty. For
this no reason Is advanced other than
the--usual one-that in all matters of
foreign policy the President believes in
keeping his own counsel.
On the Nerves of Friends.
With such secrets behind it's por-
tails the White House has assumed an
interest for Washington that 1t has
not had in many weeks. With the
President almost on the eve OF en-
barking on a trip that is unprece-
dented in the history OF the republic
and which will mean an absence OF
several months in a foreign land, tho
situation presented has elements
which are getting on the nerves of
many Senators even in the Presi-
dents own party. The President, they
now hear. may not disclose the an
swers to many questions that are be-
ing asked until he reads his message
to Congress December .. and will then
Immediately sail for France
Conferences with him as to the de-
tails OF the plans he may have for