Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-21
PEACE DELEGATES
SHOULD WORK FOR
COMMON Benefit
Wilson In Interview, Says This
Should Be Aim OF Repre-
sentatives At Conclave.
VERSAILLES TO DIFFER
FROM VIENNA CONGRESS
President Expresses Regret In
Not Being Able To Visit
Grand Fleet.

Paris, Dee. 2l.-President Wilson in
ain interview with the Paris corre-
spendent of the London Times, declar-
ed it is necessary that the delegates
get together and pool everything they
have got for the benefit Of the ideals
which are common to all.
He expressed confidence the peace
conference twill be able to reach a
just and reasonable solution of the
problems presented and earn the graft
itude Of the world for the most critic
al and necessary service which has ev-
er been rendered it,
Replying to question as to what
is the great purpose and goal OF the
peace conference, the president said: y
THE plain man on the street can
answer that as well as /. The PLAIN peo-
pie of all nations are now looking with
anxious speculation toward Versailles
and am sure they are asking this
question:
People Wondering
"Will there be found enough wis
dom of purpose among the statesmen
assembled there to create safeguard
against future wars?'
"The difficulties and responsible
tics--some Of them very urgent and
pressing which have been presented
by successful termination of the war
must be shared by the great nations as
comrades of the less powerful ma
tions. -
The president was asked Why he
came to Europe.
'sTo me the answer seems obvious, !"
he replied. "The issues which must be
determined at the Forthcoming confer
ence are Of such overwhelming import
ance that the United States cannot re-
fuse to share with the allies the great
responsibility toward civilization. and
it is only by the frankest personal
counsel with the allied statesmen that
| can, in some measure, assist in the
solution of these problems
81 hope it will be my privilege in
the near future to confer with the al
lied statesmen in France, also to visit
the allied countries and learn by per-
sonal contact as much as | can Of the
general sentiments in regard to the
chief problems involved =
Wanted to Visit Italy
President Wilson said it was his
first wish to visit the American army
and that he was also anxious to visit
Italy, "the co,tntry from which SO
many Of my fellow citizens CANT.
81 look forward also with peculiar
interest and satisfaction to visiting
Brussels, now happily delivered from
the hands of the enemy he said.
The president expressed regret that
il appeared now he would not be able
to visit the grand fleet adding his ap-
probation of its strong and watchful
support in maintaining communications
between the allies.
"There has been very happy com
radeship and loyal cooperation be-
tween the navy of Great Britain and
the navy of the United States and |
am sure all our people kecnly appre-
ciate and know the full significance of
this situation and its bearing on the
winning of the war" the president
said
Glad of Opportunity
President Wilson said he was very
glad Of the opportunity to visit Eng
land because he knew "with what unan
unity and passionate conviction the
people Of Great Britain and America
entertained the same conception of
justice apd Liberty"
cit is essential for the future peace
of the world" be said, "that there
should be the frankest possible cooper
alton and most generous understanding
between the English speaking democ.
racies.
"We comprehend and appreciate, |
believe the grave problems which arise
from your peculiar position as an is
land empire"
The correspondent said he was con-
fident President Wilson is convinced
in regard to freedom of the seas, that
nothing will prevent a solid guarantee
of future peace and that the president