 Marshall performed a few ceremonial functions for the remainder of Wilson 's term , such as hosting foreign dignitaries . Among these was Albert I , King of the Belgians , the first European monarch to visit the United States . Edward , Prince of Wales , the future monarch of the United Kingdom , spent two days with Marshall and received a personal tour of Washington from him . First Lady Edith Wilson performed most routine duties of government by reviewing all of Wilson 's communications and deciding what he would be presented with and what she would delegate to others . The resulting lack of leadership allowed the administration 's opponents to prevent ratification of the League of Nations treaty . They attacked the treaty 's tenth article , which they believed would allow the United States to be bound in an alliance to European countries that could force the country return to war without an act of Congress . Marshall personally supported the treaty 's adoption , but recommended several changes , including the requirement that all parties to it acknowledge the Monroe Doctrine and the United States ' sphere of influence , and that the tenth article be made non @-@ binding . 
