South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-10


Gus doubts Of the wisdom OF the
Presidents going in person to the
Paris conference expressed in
friendly democratic newspapers, It
is not popular What the political
effect of his trip Will be it is idle to
discuss. SO far in advance Of the
next presidential election. Much is
10 happen in the domestic field in
the next two years.
The advantages of the Presi-
dents going seem clear. His pres
ence in the conference will stamp
upon it a democratic charac ter in
the eyes Of all but the wild bolshe-
Wiki This will be real aid in al
laying the unrest among the peoples
Of the allies The conference be
tween Mr.. Wilson, Lord George. NJ.
Clemenceau and Sr. Orlando must
be useful TO the world. What is OF
the utmost Importance is that the
four great allies shall work in har-
mony in the great task before them.
In these four men we shall have
the men Of real power in the four
-fedt nations.
His Power Like Premier.
King George, President Poin-
care and King Victor Emmanuel are
mot the actual wielders of power in
their respective countries as Mr..
Wilson is in this. His powers are
more analogous 10 those of the
three premiers, except that he adds
Ito his the titular headship OF the
American nation as well. The per-
.sonal contact of the real leaders, the
intimacies of their informal CONVEX
sations, and the human touch of 1t
all should rub of angles and cor
uers and make for sympathetic
aims and harmony. Those who
have projected plans for the league
.uf nations have always insisted that
the members Of its executive coun-
ellis should be the premiers and ac-
tual executives. in order that tie
council should be truly representa-
tive and have power TO act.
Proper Head for Nations League.
1T has been said that Mr.. Wilson
|aspires to be president of the league
Of nations. If so. it is a proper as
piration. Nc one could fill that
place better than the president OF
the United states. if such a league
is formed. 1t shoulH attach TO the
Office and noc to the person, Of
course, so that when Mr.. Wilson re-
tires he should give way TO his sue
lcessor. The disinterestednesS of
this country in respect to most
questions arising for the decision
and action of the league would
make the American president a
most fitting head.
Again. it will help President
Wilson to go 10 the conference He
will learn much of the European
situation at first hand He Will have
an unusual opportunity to study the
possibilities of a league OF nations.
Its practical difficulties and their So
luton. There is nothing like oral
intimate discussion to winnow ont
real differences and to remove dis
agreements due TO misunderstood
ling. OF course these views are
.predicated or all these national
Headers having open minds, a will
ingness to consult, and a desire to
Iagree. If any one of them holds
himself aloOf from the discussion
land deliberation with fixed views on
levery topic, he would as well stay
at home.
No Constitutional Objection.
There is no constitutional inhibi-
ton. express OF implied, to prevent
the Presidents going abroad to dis
charge a function clearly given him
by the constitution. That instru
ment says that he shall make treat
les by and with the consent Of two
thirds Of the senate 1t is a curious
error to assume that the president
himself may not attend a confer
ence to which he can send a dele
gate.
King George would hardly sit in
the conference. because he has not
the real power TO make treaties or
10 appoint Il delegate. Those pow
ers are exercised 10y the premier
Mr.. Lloyd George who will be in
lperson a member of the conference
liz therefore comes down TO the
question whether the president may
not in person perform a duty inn
posed upon nim by law when it Is
"a be performed out of the country
There is certainly no express re-
s.riction OF this sort in the constitu-
ton. and it is difficult TO see why il
should he implied.
The president is the commander
i'm chief of the army and navy. II
We had a military genius in the
presidency like Foch or Napoleon is
liz possible that the country could
not avail itself of mis- services in a
critical campaign, even though that
took him out of the United States
, when congress is not in session?
Can Perform Duties i'm Paris.
The president can by cable per
form all his executive duties from
Paris. II his duty abroad is more
important than his duty here in
+ connection with a session Of con
gress, congress may well wait unit
. his return. or. if the public exig.
: lency requires. may invite the vice
president 10 do these things as act
ing president which the absence OF
the president on foreign duty pre-.
vents his doing
Our constitution Is great in It
II L