The Washington times., 1924-02-04
WILSON FOUGHT
/. FOR PEACE IN
EUROPE
Met With Steady Opposition
From Allies, But Carried
Policy Into Treaty.

The European trip Of President
Wilson presented a series of most
remarkable contrasts. Love for
Wilson turned to fear. and in some
cases to hatred, within period of
a trifle more than six months.
In the first place, It was un.
paralleled that a President Of the
United States should leave the
sacred precincts of American SOIL
There had grown up a fetish that
such action was beyond the law.
But the President felt that he
could not trust anyone else to make
an enduring peace that would be
in line with the points he had laid
down and which had been accepted
by the allied and the central pow
ers as the foundation upon which
a treaty was to be built.
The transport George Washington
was selected to make the trip. The
entire first, cabin deck was re-
modelled and the offices and Sleep
ing quarters for the President and
his immediate party were fitted up.
A private dining room adjoined the
parlor and bedroom which were
occupied by President and Mrs.
Wilson.
AS the big transport was warped
out Of her berth at Hoboken she
was saluted by the whistles from
every harbor craft and from every
factory on shore. A squadron OF
naval seaplanes flew above her
decks and escorted her as far as
the Ambrose channel lightship.
Lying in the lower harbor was the
battleShip Pennsylvania. which had
been assigned, together with q
squadron of destroyers, to accom-
pany the Washington across the
Atlantic.
President Wilson landed ut Bresr
on December IS. His steamer had
been met by a squadron from the
French Navy and by the battle
ships comprising Ihe American
squadron that had been on duty
in British waters during the war.
Salutes were exchanged and then
the welcoming fleet maneuvered
in double line through whh'h
the Washington proceeded until
LeI anchorage was reached.
Before the Wilson's started for
shore, President Poincare. Premier
Clemenceau and the members of
the French government boarded the
Washington to pay their respects.
Gen. John J. Pershing ard repre-
sentatives Of the Diplomatic Corps
OF Paris also were on hand.
Ovation In Paris.
The French capital was reached
about nine o'clock the next morn
ing. An escort in which every
branch Of the French Army was
represented was on hand and VIII.
son and President Poincare. ac-
companied by Mrs. Wilson and
Mrs. Poincare, were given places
in the state carriage and the trip
to the Murat. Palace, home Of
Prince de Mufat, was begun
The next week was filled with
official receptions. Tho city OF
Paris welcomed the President at
the Hotel de Vile (City Hall. The
Sorbonne conferred a degree.
President Wilson called for an
early meeting Of the peace confer
ence. But before he had been in
Paris three days he discovered the
magnitude Of the task ahead of
him. Premier Lloyd George, OF
Great Britain, sent word that he
could not come to Paris until after
the New Year, and probably later.
Premier Orlando. of the Italian gov.
ernment, sent word that It would be
impossible for the Italian govern.
ment to act until some pressing do.
mestic matters were settled. From
confidential sources, the President
learned that Nthe allies had deter.
mined upon policy Of delay until
they could frame terms of peace
which would suggest what would he
most beneficial to them. =
Reviews American Army.
Convinced at last that there conld
be no action before the holidava
President Wilson determined on an
official visit OF Italy and EngIand.
The latter visit was planned first
as he wanted to visit the home Of
his mother at Carlisle. almost on