Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-02
BY RAY STANNARD BAKER.
Article III.


mediately upon the return of
President Wilson to Paris
after his hasty trip to America to
sign the bills passed by the Con-
gress which adjourned on March 4. The
two sea voyages on the comfortable
George Washington gave the President
a much needed opportunity to rest-and
rest under the close care of DR.. Gray
son. If it had not been for these re-
spites during the heavy struggle at
Paris one doubts whether the President
would have been physically able to en-
dure the strain as long as he did. He
has the rare ability to rest completely,
discharge all worry from his mind, and
and occasional amusing talks with his
friends on every subject in the world
except the business of the moment re-
gain mis- strength. He reveals in these
quiet and friendly relationships side
of him-human. genial, humorous side
seen. He and Mrs. Wilson were fire.
quently on deck during the voyages.
several times they took hand at deck
shuttle board, and they came in quite
regularly to the moving picture shows
or concerts in the evening. Sometimes
after meals or even after evening enter
tainments several of their fellow pas
sengers would join the President and
Mrs. Wilson and have good
talk-very little Of the problems
Lafayette, again of the French people
and their haracteristics-often of golf
and golfing-with many stories and
much laughter. The President is past
master at telling stories. especially
Scotch stories On several occasions the
Tod nf ms
in to luncheon or dinner. starting the
meal invariably with simple grace said
in a low voice.
After one of these luncheons I heard
a member Of the party say:
well, / never knew the President
was that kind of a man at also hui
man and SO simple
Win Hearts of Officers and Crew.
The President and Mrs. Wilson. in
four voyages on the George Washing
ton quite won the hearts of the Of
ficers and crew. 1t was almost like a
big family. After the evening en-
tertainment, before landing at Brest,
just as we were about to break up. a
group of the younger officers and
crew in the back of the hall began to
sing. God Be With You Till We
Meet Again" Then the whole COM
pany, including the President, sang
together. Aud Lang Syne." 1 won
dered among what other people in the
world there could develop just such
relationships and such a spirit.
These voyages. 1 firmly believe.
saved the President from wearing out
far sooner than he did. For once in
Paris again he found himself instant
ly precipitated into one of the hard
struggles of the conference.
He had been absent from the. de-
alterations for exactly one month.
When he arrived in Paris on March
IA he discovered to his amazement
the impression everywhere prevailing
that a preliminary peace with Ger
many would soon be made which
would contain no reference to the
league of nations. Certain newspa-
pers and all the opponents of the
league were saying quite openly that
the league was dead: for they wei,
knew that If it were left for discus
sion to some future conference. after
all the essential questions in the war
with Germany had been settled. it
would come to nothing; itSwould be
talked to death. These opponents of
the league were jubilant over the
prospect.