Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-05
Thursday, December S, 1918.
Shifting the Scenes.


OF course the President will first
visit the scenes of some OF the most
horrible conflicts 1--WE avoided ia
NOUS battlefield) and will call upon
the new watch on the Rhine" as
well as the camps OF the American
army in France. He will acquire
real touch" with European condi-
tons that he could not acquire at
home. He will see what must have
been when Lloyd George and Gle
menceau were frequent visitors to the
front line trenches. He will begin to
grasp, from after-touch. those atroci-
ties Of the Huns that have become
living nightmares to others who will
81, at the peace table. Perhaps the
Presidents views of deserving Ger
mans may yield n point from contact
with the British lion and the French
tiger.
OF course the Presidents heart
Iand that of the First Lady" of the
hanback, home) will be filled to the
full with honors conferred by
Europe upon America. OF course the
hobnobbing with royalty will be more
or less gratifying to the society
sense of the American party; and OF
course the everywhere significant
Difference to the American President
will be felt.
The President and Mrs. Wilson
probably will go to Brussels where
the head of the American peace dele
cation will confer with King Albert.
They will also visit Italy and Eng
land Elaborate receptions are like
~ to be staged in London, Paris and
Rome.
And then the preliminary confer
ence." the star chamber session Of
Allied and Associate" victors, will be
held. Then the President will fulfl
his mission.
The famous original IA principles"
of peace, set forth by the President in
January last, have undergone a
years inspection and criticism on
both sides of the water. They now
bear little resemblance to their origi-
nal form.
Term l insists on open covenants
of peace" But we are informed that
Mr.. Wilson goes to Europe for the
purpose of holding star chamber
meetings with the three premiers to
decide on the essential points Of the
treaty.
Term ?. for the freedom of the seas
in peace and in war. has met with
determined opposition abroad and has
no hope of adoption as outlined by
the President.
Term 3. for the removal Of eco
homie barriers" we hope will meet
with little favor from allied diplo-
mats, who will insist on their right to
impose what restrictions they please
on goods from Germany or any other
country.
Term 4, for the reduction of arma-
ments. is subject to the most varied
interpretations.
Terms to IS have to do with
political congratulations in Europe
upon which the President may find
that he can WELD little influence.
Term II deals with the proposed
league OF nations. Determined op-
position to such an attempt at perma-
nent peace, is developing in many
quarters. Mr.. Wilson is reported to
have changed his mind on the sub
1ect.
But, in spite Of the fact that Mr.
Wilson's ideals have been, to use his
own expression on a former occasion.
knocked into cooked hat" the pub
lie Is being fed by inspired press cor
respondents in Paris ON stories of
how the Presidents terms gradually
are being accepted by the allied coun-
tries. A studied effort is on foot to
create the impression in this country
that the atmosphere at Versailles is
surcharged with Wilson: that the
premiers Of England. France, and
Italy are all at sea on the essentials
of peace. and that they are sending
5. Q. S. calls to the United States for
Wilson to hurry over and straighten
things out. All this is but prelimi-
nary to the big show. the stage for
which is being set in France by
Creel's assistants. ready for the de-
movement of the vexatious peace
problems the moment Mr.. Wilson
takes his seat at the green table and
assumes the role Of director In chief
of the proceedings.
Each morning at the breakfast
table the American voter will be re-
called by reading the press reports of
the peace progress of the day before.
Mr.. Wilson proposed this and that,
and after animated discussion among
the other delegates his suggestion
was adopted Or, Mr.. Wilson. not