The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-30
Wilson Will Begin Conferences
About December IA.
Naming Personnel of Party
Caused Only One Surprise.
IN NAME OF GENERAL BLISS
Secretary Baker Will Go to
France in About Month.
To Relieve President Wilson,
Who Will Return Home.

great reception for President Wilson.
The chief executive will be shown
some of the work that has been done
by Americans at Brest which has been
one of the principal posts of debark-
alton for American troops
Washington, Nov. 30-President
| Wilson will begin his direct official
conference with leaders of the allied
nations about December IA.
Having announced the personnel Of
the American Observation-Disclosures
Lansing. Colonel House. Henry White,
and General Bliss-the presidents
plans for leading the commission to
France are now complete. Owing to
the f~ct that it is not imperative that
he be in Paris before December IA,
however, there will be no rush about
his leave taking next Tuesday--or ex-
ceptlCnai speed in his trans-oCean
Journey.
Official announcement of Americas
peace commission carried only one
surprise-the name of General Bliss.
1t had been expected by those we'll in
formed that if the delegation contain
ed five members, Secretary Houston
would be added to the four originally
forecast by the United Press and con-
firmed Friday night.
Secretary of War Baker will go to
France in a month or six weeks to re
lieve President Wilson at the head of
the delegation when Wilson leaves for
home.
~ glance at the personnel OF the
party to go to Europe with the prasi
| dent, discloses some interesting fig
ures. For instance, the newly named
American ambassador to Great Brit
ain, John w. Davis, is expected to be
aboard the presidents ship, thus Civ
! ing the two an opportunity for discuss
ing diplomatic matters that may arise
in England during the peace confer
ence, and which Davis will be respon-
sible for handling. Davis will leave
I the presidential party probably at
Brest. where the Americans will land,
and will go on to his post in England.
| Among the women in the party will
! be Mrs. Auchincfoss, daughter OF Cof-
! onel House, and the wives of several
prominent American war workers in
France. in addition to the state ladies
| aboard.
| With the peace conference now
! drawing near, international 1obbies of
all kinds and merits are getting under
way. In addition to the expected call
Of Miss Jane Adams for an interna-
! tional gathering of women in Holland
! to take up peace problems. the Zionists
and anti-Zionists are sending delega-
! tions to London and Paris. Andrew
Furuseth, marine labor leader, will be
near the scene of the peace confer
ence watchful of the interests of
! American seamen and Americas mer-
! chant marine, and from across the
water come reports that all OF the
! little nationalities which have been
, under German domination, are organ
! izing their lobbies for participation at
| the peace table.
A Sad Bunch.
/ Jieor
pointed in President Wilson's selection
of delegates.
Both hoped for representation at
| the peace table.
The senate today gave signs OF
! venting its feelings next week over
! what members consider a slight by
! the president in ignoring that body
both in his appointment of delegates
and in refusing to take members into
his confidence on his peace plans. The
official announcement of the delegates
referred to peace conferences" This
led to revival of speculation as to a
preliminary session to dispose of more
urgent questions and a subsequent ses-
sion to determine matters of less
pressing Importance.
i Information of an official nature as
to the status of each of the American
representatives still was lacking early
4 today. However, it was generally be-
lieved that the president will attend
the conference as the president of the
United States and that Secretary
Lansing. Mr.. White and Colone
House and probably General Bliss will
be the accredited delegates.
Senate Sends Men.
| Senate resentment over President
Wilson's failure to include a senator il
the peace delegation today resulted IN
Senator Cummins. Iowa, drafting 6
resolution to create a bipartisan com
mittee of eight senators ito observe
the peace conference" Other sena
tors plan similar resolutions. They
will be introduced next week.
Joseph Grew, formerly charge o.
the American embassy in Berlin will
be secretary of the American peace
delegation.
Officials indicated today that the
White House announcement purposely
left in doubt the exact status of the
representatives because the presiden
had not been fully informed as to the
exact formalities of procedure in or
ganizing the conference Secretary
Lansing was chosen to head the Amer
lean delegation but the question O.
whether the president himself. during
his stay in France, will be considered
a part of the delegation proper MAJ
depend upon course adopted by thu
heads of the other great associated
governments. Since in Mr.. Wilson a.
president of the United States lies al
the power that will be exercised OF
the part of America in the conference
and the delegates must act as uni
in accordance with his decisions, thu
only u,1eStion involved so far as he il