Evening star., 1919-04-08
Result of Presidents Determination

In announcing today that the .presi'
dental transport George Washington
would sail from New York for Brest
Friday instead of next Monday, the
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt disclosed
that the change had been made as the
result of a cablegram yesterday from
Admiral Benson, at Paris, inquiring
when the ship could sail.
Yesterday when word came from
Paris that the President had deter
mined there must be an end to delays
at the peace conference and had or
dered the transport to France, Navy
Department officials said no new orders
had been issued and that the ship was
preparing to sail according to schedule
on Monday, April II. The Benson
message changed this situation very
quickly. Communication with the New
York navy yard, where the George
Washington is undergoing overhaul
ing brought. report that she could
be made ready for sea by Friday and
she was ordered out then.
Mr.. Roosevelt said today Admiral
Benson's message did not go into the
purpose of the inquiry, but simply
asked about the date of departure.
He explained that the ship would
have sailed on March %. but that it
was decided to make some repairs and
that the tentative sailing date then
was fixed for next Monday. Yesterday.
however, a cablegram inQuiring as to
the date of departure was received
from Paris and communication with
the New York navy yard developed
that it would be possible for the
steamer to depart Friday.
The George Washington should
reach Brest by April II. Whether it
will make a return trip with soldiers
before the President returns home
VIII be determined upon her arrival
overseas. Mr.. Roosevelt explained
would be May 10 or 20 before the
George Washington could get back
to Brest.
Belief at the White House.
So far as could be learned today
no information has been received at
quarters about the situation which
dispatches from France indicate has
arisen there Officials confidently de-
has no idea of leaving Paris prema-
turely, and that the inquiry about
the transport merely was precau-
ton to insure the presence of the
ship when the President is ready to
return home.
Arouses Much Comment in Paris.
PARIS, April Z (By the Associated
Press). = President Wilson's orders
that the United States transport
George Washington proceed immedi-
much comment here and are even
construed by some officials as pre-
liminary to determined move to
force an agreement at an early date
by the conference.
As is usual in such cases, various
rumors were soon in circulation. and
before night one report was current
that the President had delivered an
ultimatum to the effect that he would
withdraw from the conference unless
forty eight hours. 1t is confidently
asserted by those close to the Presi-
dent that he did not contemplate any
such action, but the'same authorities
the President has made his position
plain on the questions at issue, and
it is believed his determination to ad-
here to this position is fixed.
Insures Against Embarrassment.
The summoning of the George
Washington will place the President
he cannot be embarrassed by having
to wait for the transport should the
time come when he might wish, ow-
ing to failure of the peace delegates
to agree, or unwarranted delay in
finding a settlement of the peace
cussions.
The belief is common that Presi-
dent Wilson will not hesitate to take
definite action if deadlock is actu-
ally reached.
If, however, the council Of four sue
ceeds in reaching an adjustment, the
presence of President Wilson for a
longer time is deemed advisable the
George Washington would be avail
able for the transport of troops to
the homeland and would then be
ready to return at a later date for
the presidential party.