The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-12
IN PARIS AS CHRISTMAS


 before for day or two-principally dur | ing the winter of 1917-18, when I was | attending various army schools and en- gagged in other duties before being as- signed to 8 division But this was my | first visit to the French capital since l the arInistice. The city was literally overrun with the various peace delega- tions and other visitors from allied and neutral countries there preparing for the conference. Americans are limited to 24 l hours there unless special passes are secured, but I was fortunate in getting an extension for the time l desired to 1 remain. I was there the first time just before President Wilson left for his visit to England and came back there the day l he returned from Italy.
 l When the squabble arose in the United 1 States about the President coming over here, I was naturally keenly interested and therefore watched more closely every phase of his reception in the countries he visited. In addition to what I read in the newspapers, I have talked with many Frenchmen and Englishmen about his visits to their respective countries and they say without exception that never has any man been given such a spontaneous reception and ovation He is recognized everywhere over here the foremost world leader of today. and the average citizen of Europe the great l peasants have put their faith and hope in him to see that the peace is the right kind-the kind for which the fighting and sacrificing has been done.
 WONDERFUL HOLD ON PEOPLE | Really, until I went on my leave, 1 had no idea the hold he has on the peo- pie of Europe. Certain leaders in diff ferent European countries, who had schemes of a more or less selfish na- ture rather than for the general good
 of the allies, were, I am informed, dis appointed that he came. But the general
 run of people in the allied countries seem
 to be satisfied that he will see that every.
 body gets a square deal, and there is
 universal satisfaction that he will take part in the conference. To say that Pres ident Wilson is the most formidable fig
 ure at the peace table is putting it mild
 ly at this time. It looks now as If all
 realize that he Is to play the predomi-
 nant part in writing the peace terms and
 there seems to be general acquiescence in this understanding.
 Europe seems to be looking to him as the one man to save them from the troubles which would follow another
 diplomatic peace such as the Treaty of
 Vienna. 1 am informed that many little
 schemes which certain nations were try
 ing to put over to gain some advantage
 over a neighbor, even at the risk o1
 causing trouble in the future, have been
 quietly dropped after brief conference
 with President Wilson. Of course l an , no prophet and can't foresee what may happen in the future weeks, but I dont hesitate to state now that he has tht peace conference eating out of his hanc. COLONEL HOUSES PART
 And when you are thinking of Amer1 : ca's part in the peace conference, don forget Colonel House. He still maintain: his reticence-so far as public talking l is concerned-but with the exception O.
 the President no one seems to be hay . ing more to do with the peace prelemi naries than he. His style of diplomacy is little different from the usual Flu l ropean variety, but don't think that thu
 others haven't keen respect for hi
 ability. No one except the President hal
 been more sought after than he. So far he seems amply able to take care O
 himself in any kind of diplomatic schem
 ing and incidentally, to take care of thu interests of the United States.
 Mrs. Wilson has also won great favo
 in Europe. No queen was ever accorded
 more regal honors. Tn an American
 newspaper, detailed descriptions of
 womans clothes would hardly appea r on the front page in the same story whicl enunciated the great principles of worlt A democracy and outlined plans which af . feet every civilized nation. But it i
 otherwise with the Parisans. In ever! journal, along with the President
 speeches and the facts of the tremendous 4 enthusiasm of the people, there were lont I and detailed accounts of what Mrs l Wilson wore. No society editor could
 have gone more into detail on the socia { page than those newspapers did in thei 1 leading articles. Everytime she appeared in public or at private reception. ther H vas an enthusiastic description of he S gown and hat They must have been o a K for some of the leading Paris de Il signers advertised that her clothes wer ' exactly like models some of their famou
 artists had put out. You know that i