Evening star., 1919-09-27
Takes Up War Problems.

+. Takes Up War Problems.
While war operations were at their
height decisions affecting the placing
of American troops into battle an ma
val questions of moment were refer
red to the President from abroad. Mr..
. Wilson spent many long hours at
tial messages. Perhaps the climax
i, of it all came when Germany asked
for an armistice and the President be-
gan to exchange notes that led to
Germany's capitulation.
In the midst of this excitement. so
great was the Presidents anxiety for
the league of nations and the making
that he asked the country to return
majority in Congress as a vote of
confidence. His determination to
hasten the peace conference and go
to Europe himself was the source of
some apprehension to his friends, who
wondered if he could stand the added
strain. In Paris he was at work day
and night and caught cold while in
conference with Prime Minister Lloyd
George and Premier Clemenceau. This
developed into influenza. from which.
~ DR.. Grayson says the President has
never recovered entirely.
1t is true that there were many rea-
sons for postponing the Presidents trip
across the continent in behalf of the
league of nations. which had been
planned to begin Immediately after his
return from Europe. but even if he
could have finished sooner those con-
ferences with individual senator's his
physician would probably have held him
in Washington, as he was beginning
then to show signs of collapse.
Reeuperative Powers Surprising.
But the Presidents recuperative pow
ers have on more than one occasion
been q pleasant surprise to those who
have worried about his health, and
the league Of nations consent was given
/ on the condition that he would not make
. an extensive trip. and that he would
ynat on week ends. 1t was suggested
Rainier Park or in the Yosemite. but
TO all suggestions the President grimly
objected. saying he was not bent on q
pleasure Jaunt. but q business trip.
Local committees insisted on seeing him.
sEverywhere along the journey requests
FOR labor conferences have been made
and the result was that Mr.. Wilson got
very little rest on Sundays. All day
long and all night crowds would gather
at the passing stations and cheer. II
tie train stopped to take water or
change locomotives it was pretty GER
tain that the Presidents rest would be
disturbed at night. while during the day
As would 80 out on the back platform
20 shake hands. The people insisted on
seeing him. His physician would not
peymit him to make any but scheduled
speeches. Between stations the Presi-
dent worked away on his typewriter on
olacial business. Much Of his time was
Folk. head Of the American peace COM
mission negotiating treaties with Aus
tia and Bulgaria Lately the situation
NJ Eiume has given him much concern.
1xtsmpouaneous Speeches Taxing.
Dat the greatest burden Of all has
1een the extemporaneous speeches.
'1nstead Of stretching his trip out to
eight weeks and covering ten thou
and miles as other Presidents have
done. Mr.. Wilson sought to accom-
p1ish his purpose in four weeks. He
apeke extemporaneously everywhere
forty times in twenty-one days.
h would prepare notes on the train.
o. Thursday night he had mapped
.eat the speeches he planned to de-
llver in Wichita. Little Rock. Okla
homa City. Memphis and Louisville.
lat evar since his appearance in San
Ifnnciaco he has been i'll and has
eoaehsd heavily and spent very
1eetless nights.
Hrs. Wilson. who 10 trained nurse,
has constantly attended him. and the
,e1eet OF her vigils OF the lsSt ten
'4ay0 has seemed to tell on hef, TO.
M. Greyson was summoned twice
44te1 midnight Thursday. On the sec
oud occasion, about o'clock Friday
morning. he sent messenger to
areuse Secretary Tumulty. who was
&o3eep In the next car. He told the
secretary the trip would have to be
ennceled. that the President had
nonA too far, and would have to de-
taeh himself completely from his
The President insisted that he would
be veil enough in , day or 80. and
;p!sadsd for the opportunity to fulhl!
'his engagemsnt. but Mrs. Wilson and
overruled him. and the trip was sum-
Uarily cancelled.
Trip to Warrington fastened.
Consultation aboard the train on
Friday led to decision not to stop
OIL en- rolte. bu, /" get the President
sible. and decide then whether re
should go to some quiet spot at the
,9eashore or mountains. 1t may be
that in Washington other physicians
will be called by DR.. Grayson. as 4
measure of precaution, and the ex-
fent Of the Presidents exhaustion
fully determined. but that the Presi-
dant must give UP all work for the
present Is the command of his ply
ofcian.
The Presidents trouble is described
Technically as nervous exhaustion.
but there are several things that