The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-30
A PRESIDENT ABROAD.
Some Possibilities rs They Occur
to q Distinguished Historian Who
Lets His Imagination Go Hand
In Hand With His knowledge.

Aets MS IMAGINATION TO Hand
In Hand With His knowledge.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUH-Sr: AS
a result OF President Wilson'S decision
to 60 abroad 1t may be assumed that
his stenographic notebook Is already
Overlooking with material for personal
transcription on his typewriter, accord
ing to custom, although nothing 70 this
effect has yet come from the White
House. Even so, 1t Is quite probable
that much OF his time is now devoted
to the preparation OF data for reflection
on the journey and guidance later on.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he can
turn TO no president bearing upon u,
proprietles demanded of a President q
ordinary times when in foreign coun
tries. Add to this the extraordinary
occasion. which. from his way Of think
ing. requires his presence at the peace
table, and he Ia left in a doubly en-
barrassing position. His coming back
with present worldwide prestige unlm-
paired depends mainly upon his follow
ing the way OF Franklin. In not speak
| ing "a word too soon, n word too late
or a word too much, and always speak
ing the right word in the right season."
When the President leaves he will
doubtless carry in his portfolio gratu-
itous tips suggestions and petitions in
Vulnerable from all classes political,
religious. military, economic and others.
pointing the straight and only way to
permanent world peace. Nobody seems
to know Just what he may have up his
sleeve in his talks at the conference.
l afn .fsrrr fAf
his known habits OF isolation and Sc
cretiveness in the course OF public du-
ties az home Whatever 1t may be, Il
Is hoped he will announce at the sit
tlngs and elsewhere at the first oppor-
tunity that the American people are
concerned most of all in making the
world safe for democracy. Let him
strike straight from the shoulder and
repeat at tho start his words Of some
| time ago, that Germany must be re-
duced TO the condition o; virtual impo-
tency." Having satisfactorily settled
these points, he need not further con-
Germ himself as to the doings at the
peace table, and may withdraw for good
IL convinced, as he should be, that he
is by no means the whole show
Away from the peace table the Presi-
dent may accomplish much II he goes
about IL in the right way. He may
strike the psychological moment" for
worldwide characterization OF all Eu-
rope should ne go afoot with the
masses on the boulevards in Paris. tske
the trolley to the royal palaces OF Lon
! don and elsewhere. hobuob with the peo-
| pie, have his shoes shined on the street
corner as was his won't in stanton,
Atlanta. Baltimore and Princeton. and
| patronize the newsboys on the highways.
Thus he might spread like wildfre the
spirit OF unadulterated American de-
mocracy OF the kind yet unknown to
many abroad. Regarding this phase OF
: his tour Mr.. Wilson should be coached
by Colonel House. already on the ground
and familiar with the code OF etiquette
in circles high and low. especially as
regards the matter of the Presidents
sartorial equipment He may suggest
that the President had best be guided
by the extreme simplicity OF Franklin
and jefferson when living in Paris. minus
the slovenly attire OF jefferson. OF which
Mr.. Wilson says il was not pretence.
Having proclaimed the demand for
democracy the world over. Mr.. Wilson
should by all means impress that idea
upon the remaining royal persona2es
whom he may meet. intiuaung az the
same time the wisdom OF their closing
up their shops.
II still OF the belief that the people
Of Germany constitute an element dis
tinct and apart from the now dethroned
riIitaric-autocratic powers. Mr.. Wilson
should by all means so TO Berlin and
see for himself. or confess mlsjudg-
ment. He might with propriety, II still
abroad on the birthday % the fugitive
Kaiser on January IS. extend felicia
tons, coupled with an invitation now 10
make good his threat 70 Mr. Gerard. that
he would stand TO nonsense from
America after the war
Nothing Is known OF Mr.. Wilson's
programme with respect TO the s!deshows
that may demand his attention whi.-
abroad in order 70 reconcile the many
conflicting political elements recently
mater.alized and To follow, such az the
''Tzecho- Slovaks." "Socia! Revolution
lists" "Jugo Slavs." 'Workmen-Sold.ers."
"Red Guards,' RED Pan-Germans.
"Bolshcyists." Socialist Republicans.
True Blue Ukranians." Young Turks.
Yellow Bulgars," 'Spartacus Group
and other. Neither can we guess whs-
he coytenplates IN connection with pos
sible pledges and invitations from re-
Gently deposed Emperors. Princes. Grand
Dukes and little dukes likewise "Presi-
dents" FreSriers" and "Ch!ets" cf re
cent creation.
What viii come OF this Elorihcation Of
q live American President for the first
time on fo,clgn soil nobody seems TO
know. Perhaps he. too IS not quite clear
about his possible accomplishments III
the matter Of reconstruction. lie. no
doubt, will have good time per
haps "a bully time" When all is over
we shall know whether the game was
worth the candle, At any rate. Mir
Wilson just now betrHys the attitude OF
one given 10 frequent humming to him
seif the sweet familiar words Il should
worry" Therefore the question. Why
should We fsAAc MARkkSs'
NEW York, November %,