The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-11-23
WILSON BREAKS PRECEDENT.
PRESIDENT WILL ATTEND PEACE
CONFERENCE.

Exrects to Sail Early in Month, LeaS-
ing Country Immediately Af1cr
Opening OF Congress-Win Not Re-
main For End OF Conference.
Washington, Nov. 1S.-Presldent
Wilson. will attend the opening ses-
sions of the peace conference. This
vas announced tonight officially. he
VIII go immediately after the con-
syening of the regular session OF con-
gresS on December 2.
The Official statement was issued at
the White House:
sThe president expects to sail for
France Immediately after the opening
of the regular session of congress, Tor
the purpose Of taking part IN the dls-
cussion and settlement Of the mann
features of the treaty. of peace. 1t IS
not likely that it will be possible Tor
him to remain throughout the sessions
of the formal peace conference put
his presence at the outset is neces-
sary in order to ooviate the manifest
disadvantages of discussion by caole
in determining the greater outlines OF
the final treaty about which he must
necessarily be consulted. He Will, OF
course, be accompanied by dele
gatess who will sit as the representa-
tives Of the United States throughout
the conference.
.sThe names of the delegates will
be presently announced.
How long the president will remain
abroad he himsee probably can not
npw say. The time for the convenlng
OF the peace conference has not yet
heen announced but the general belief
here is that it can not be assembled
before late in December at the earl
lest. If such proves the case, the
PRESIDENT will be absent from the
country for at least a month and
probably longer.
= What plans the president may have
for his trip other than to attend the
opening Of the peace conference and
TO participate in the discussions
among the: representatives Of the. as
sociated nations, which will precede,
have not been revealed. He I'M
doubtedly will be accompanied by
Mrs. Wilson and it is expected here
that besides visiting Paris where the
peace congress probably will be held,
he will go to London and possibly to
Brussels and Rome.
Mr. Wilson is expected to receive
abroad reception such as has been
accorded but few men in public life
He will be welcomed not only as the
president Of the United States and
the commander in chief Of its army
and navy, but also the champion Of
world democracy.
In visiting Europe the president
viii establish two precedents. He
viii be the first chief executive Of
the United States to participate in a
peace conference for the settling OF
issues growing out of war in which
this country participated and like
wise he will be the first president to
leave North America during his
term Of Office.
In reaching his decision to attend
the peace conference, President WI
SON is understood TO have been largely
Influenced by representations by Pre-
mier Lloyd George of England and
Premier Clemenceau Of France and
other statesmen of the entente coun-
tries. The principles and terms Of
settlements enunciated by the presi-
dent have been accepted by both the
associated nations and the central ma
tons as the basis upon which peace is
to be reesta blished, and it is under
stood that it is for the working out
Of the application of these princi-
pies that his presence is so earnestly
desired by the allied statesmen.
Since the president is to sail for
France early next month, it seems GER
tain that he will reach Paris several
weeks before the peace congress as
sembles. His purpose here is believed
TO participate in the conferences now
proceeding at Versailles as the pre-
Hminary TO the meeting Of the peace
commissioners. He thus will have the
opportunity to discharge IN person for
the first time the duties Of his mem
bership in the supreme war council in
which he now is represented by Col.
e. az. House.
In the general view here the ses-
sions of the supreme war council,
which bring together the entente pre-
miers with the representative of the
United States. are Of first importance.
for in all probability it is at these
sessions that the general program
which is to goverr the peace congress
will be arranged.
The president will attend the open
ing sessions Of tfe congress at which
the principles Of the treaty will be
settled, but he will not remain for
the subsequent detailed discussions
and settlements of the various nues-
tions. This will be the work Of the
commissioners he will appoint to rep
resent the United States.
BY carrying out his unusual pro-
gram of having the conference draft
and adopt general peace treaty at
1.-The outset, the president and the en-