PRESIDENT WILSON'S TIPS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10277, 12 May 1919, Page 7

PRESIDENT WILSON'S TIPS

New York papors have many interesting paragraphs concerning President Wilson a expenditure of pocket-money on "tips," etc., while on his visit to Europe. When tho French President some years ago visited Russia he was empowered to bestow £4OOO on the members of the Czar's household: in Sweden tho Royal retainers got £2OOO among them from the head of the French Republic. There are no such funds for an American, President abroad to fall baok on.

_ It is said that Mr Wilson's trip cost him £4OO in "douceurs" from his own pocket. Ho gave sums of 20 or 50 dollars to train and hotel - attendants and to palace officials. He bought souvenirs for many of them; when they came near enough to beg a photograph of himsolf ho delighted to have it suitably framed before presenting it. Many received golden cuff-Jinks.

In Rome there was a very direct appeal from one quarter. A properlyboribbqnod gentleman told the President in the courtliest form that it' was usual for the visiting head of a groat nation to give 50,000 iiro to tho Fund for the Poor. Mir Wilson replied that it would havo to come out of his own pocket. Friends of Mr Wilson are sure that ho would rather travel Europe on a bicycle, as he did years ago, than take a tnp in state as President of the United States.

As a matter of fact, Mr Wilson has made it clear that ho does not attend the Peace Conference as tho hoad of the United States, but as Prime Minister.