But, if he did as he purposed doing and attended the Peace Conference, he would lose the unique position which he held and would have to submit to the combined will of his foreign colleagues becoming a prey to intrigue and to the impulses arising from their hatred for the vanquished nations.
A practical view of the situation so clearly pointed to the unwisdom of the President's personal participation in the peace negotiations that a very probable explanation for his determination to be present at the Conference is the assumption that the idea had become so firmly embedded in his mind that nothing could dislodge it or divert him from his purpose.

How far the spectacular feature of a President crossing the ocean to control in person the making of peace appealed to him I do not know.

It may have been the deciding factor.

It may have had no effect at all.

How far the belief that a just peace could only be secured by the exercise of his personal influence over the delegates I cannot say.