The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-17
Realizing Conference Cannot
Get Under Way Until Janu-
ary |, President Studies
Situation at Close Range.
MUST SPEAK PLAINLY.
PRESIDENTS VIEWPOINT
Executive Seeks Full Discus
sion and Ironing Out Of Diff
ference Without Antag-
oniSm and Feels Confident.

PARIS. Dee 17.-After conferences he
has had in Paris and personal examina-
ton into the situation here, President
Wilson has come to understand why
the peace conference can not get under
way before the first OF tho year. The
mere physical proposition of getting the
American mission settled in its offices
Is tremendous job
President Wilson's visit to the Ameri-
can troops at the front and his review
of them in Paris that is planned will
be entirely out of the way by the first
of the year. Meanwhile the informal
conferences which mean so much and
decide so much in laying groundwork
for such task as is before the peace
conference will continue, The president
is seeking to get acquainted with the
men with whom he is to deal so that he
may discuss with the greatest freedom
problems arising and develop the per
sonal equation.
From the presidents point Of view,
it is indicated there are plain things
TO be said and he wants TO say them
and avoid antagontsm because, not
withstandlnG all the points TO be cleared
up and upon which wide divergences OF
opinion have been expressed, as
representing public opinion in Eng
land and France, the president
IS confident that an accepta
able agreement will be reached be-
fore the peace conference adjourns. 1t
is recalled that diplomatic history shows
that conferences of this kind usually, if
not invariably, assemble without defi-
mite programs to work with and that
such ~ conference probably never ac-
complishes precisely, down to the last
details, what is expected OF it, but that
it always accomplishes something,
While things are shaping up for the
great gathering, President Wilson is ev.
identity working out his own plans and
for the most part keeping his own
council. He was exceedingly gratifled
with his visit to Premier Clemenceau,
which was largely n personal affair.
President Wilson'S health continues
good, He has completely shaken off
the cold which followed him to Europe
With Mrs. Wilson and Rear Admiral
Grayaon, his medical adviser, he prob
ably will take u turn on the golf links
at Versailles the first pleasant morn
ing that comes along, and on which he
is not too busily engaged with his
stenographers. He Is keeping IN the
closest touch with affairs In the United
States through advices from the White
House. from. members OF the cabinet
and the heads of some Of the special
war bureaus upon whom he Is depend
ing for accurate information.
SO far as Is known the president has
not vet selected u director general of
railroads, and Director General McAdoo
may hold over until the presidents re-
turn. -..
President Wilson has been deeply i'm
pressed by the magnificent reception
given him in Paris, the more so that
assurances are declared to have come
| to him from what was regarded as a
| dependable source that the French peo~
pie as whole are sincere IN their ac-
| ceptance of his principles and will up
| hold them. That the government Is in
| equal sympathy with the people is in
| dicated by the first interview between
| President Wilson and Premier Clemen-
ceau. There was no lack OF warmth
| in the French statesman's appreciation
| of the American position, 1t was de-
elared it being indicated, on the other
| hand. that his attitude was thoroughly
sympathetic.
King Victor Emmanuel Of Italy, who
will reach Paris Thursday, will visit
President Wilson the following after
noon, according to the present ar,
| rangements 1t was originally intended
| by the Italian embassy to have King
| Victor Emmanuel and President Wilson
at dinner together FRIDAY, but tor cere
monial reasons it has been decided that
this will not be practicable, as the din
ner is to be in the kings honor, and
it is not customary to have two heads
| OF state at a dinner when one is the
| guest of honor.
retary Of state, who is in Paris on his
way TO the United states to participate
| in the jubilee celebration of Cardina
Gibbons, will call on Col. House today
to make arrangements to be received
| by President Wilson.
| He win present the president with ar
| autograph letter from Pope Benedict
| and will discuss arrangements for the
visit Of the president to the pope dur
ing the presidents stay in Rome.
Secretary of State Lansing was IT
conference yesterday with number Of
the members Of the American delega'
tion to the peace conference in an CT
fort 10 organize the working force. The
secretary met each individual separate
lv and began the assignment of duties
to the various members of tho Amerl
can group. ~. :.
| clearly impossible to do anything more
than this preliminary work, such AZ
the orga nization Of separate units, be
fore the holidays although there nigh
be and probably would be informal con
yersations between the American ant
entente delegates to the congress, al
they meet socially and unofhclally.