New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-12
Finance and Supply
To Be First Topics
OfWar Conference
Naval and Military Plans, Also
Ultimate Peace Terms,
VIII Be Discussed


Washington. April 1.-The coming
conference is stated to have been
sought by the Allied leaders themselves
in order TO discuss the every phase
Of the war.
One Of the first questions 10 be taken
up will be The distribution OF the So
600. 600 900 loan TO the Allies, for when
President Wilson has asked Congress
to provide.
Great Britain has been rendering
financial aid on the most extensive
scale TO several of her allies and
possiblv. when relieved Of the neces-
si,y for continuing such allowances
she may be able to get along win
much less assistance from America
than she would otherwise require. On
the other hand, the countries whose
exchange has suffered so heavily such
as Russia and Italy, might find wei
como relief from the financial STRAIN
nv An allotment OF American iundS'
which would have reassurlng ehec'
upon the standing of these countries
in the worlds markets.
The greatest problem before the cor
ference is stated to be the maintenance
Of the flow Of American munitions ana
food supplies to Europe. inns w'll De
sought first by naval cooperation 10
fight the German submarine, second oy
construction of a huge fleet OF WOODEN
merchantmen to negative IT'S oes'iuO
II hss
means 10 increase American manuiact-
ure and tho Allies ability to pay Ior
the products.
Naval Cooperation
Naval cooperation is understood 10
contemplate the policing OF all MOI
and South American waters oy 'hC
American navy. allowing the return o.
the British and French vessels ENGAGE
IN that work. and the safeguarding by
American ships Of at least part OF 'ne
sea lane to Europe. Whether the az
ter will necessitate the actual sendlns
of American war craft TO the otner sue
has not been announced. but II IL Goes
arrangements already have been mace
10 offer the port OF Brest' france ~
all American naval base.
The military participation OF me
I
discussed in broad terms, though II Is
realized on all sides that this country
will not attempt to send an army 10
Europe for the present. The military
situation Of this country is well under
stood by officials abroad. There IL,
however. an intense desire on the part
of the general public in the Entente
countries to see small division OF
American frOOps at the front.
The complete reversal of American
relations 10 the Entente powers through
the abandonment of neutrality in favor
Of war will necessitate an entire read
iustment Of the country's diplomatic
situation. The Allied policies of block
AIDE. mails, censorship, blacklist and
rationing of Holland and Scandinavia,
originally necessitated by the ext
gencies of war and bitterly protested
then throughout by this country as
neutral, must now be considered by the
United States from an entirely new
angle While il is obvious that none
of the restrictions built up by the
Allies will be abandoned, it is doubtful
as TO how far this country will 60 IN
actually cooperating with them.
United States in Dilemma
The United States is stated there
fore TO find itself in dilemma be
tween the policies Of its allies, the
eXigencies Of the war and its own views
Of International law. The Allied gov
ernments are understood TO appreciate
this situation and TO be anxious not TO
make it more difficult. As result. IT
IS probable that the inter-departmental
board Of the Departments OF state.
Treasury and Justice will recommend TO
Congress laws which will restate
American policy without GRIPPING the
huge machinery already set up by the
Allies for bringing Germany to terms.
The situation of the few remaining
neutrals is expected also to call for the
deepest consideration at the confer
ences. and il il the hope here that sew
eral other nations will definitely range
themselves with the Allies.
Neither side, II is understood, Will
riss the opportunity of sounding out
the other as TO the eventful peace
terms and the reconstruction Of the
world. 1t is we'll appreciated abroad
that this country rs not in perfect sym
patty with some Of the peace terms OF
The Entente and that il does not look
to as complete crushing Of Germany
IS some Of the Entente countries de-
nand For that reason the European
delegates will be eager to sound out
officials here as far as possible in order
to see to what extent they can count
on complete American support.