Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-12

than she would otherwise require. On
the other hand. the countries whose ex-
change has suffered so heavily, such as
Russia and Italy might find welcome
relief from the financial strain by an
allotment of American funds which
would have a reassuring effect upon
the standing of these countries in the
worlds markets.
The greatest problem before the
conference Is stated to be the main
tenance Of the flow Of American NUM-
lions and food supplies to Europe: This
vii! be sought first by naval Corpora
ton to fight the German submarine;
second, by construction Of huge fleet
of wooden merchantmen to negative its
destructiveness, and, third. by ways
and means to Increase American man
ufacture and the allies ability to pay
for the products.
Naval cooperation is understood to
contemplate the policing of all North
and South American waters by the Am
erican navy. allowing the release of the
British and French vessels engaged IN
that work and the safeguarding by Am
erican ships of at least part of the
sea lane to Europe. Whether the lat
ter will necessitate the actual sending
of American war craft to the other side
has not been announced. but If 1t does.
arrangements already have been made
to offer the port of Brest, in France, as
an American naval base.
The military participation of the
United States also will be discussed in
iS
all sides that this country will not at
tempt to send an army to Europe for
the present. The military situation of
this country is well understood by Of
ficials abroad. There is, however. an
intense desire on the part Of the gener-
al public in the Entente countries to
see small division Of American troops
at the front
Entire Readjustment
The complete reversal of American
relations to the Entente Powers through
the abandonment of neutrality in favor
OF war will necessitate an entire re-
adjustment of the countrys diplomatic
situation. The allied policies of block
AIDE. mails censorship, blacklist, and
rationins of Holland and Scandinavia,
originally necessitated by the exigen-
cles of war and bitterly protested
throughout by this country as neutral,
must now be considered by the United
states from an entirely new angle
While it is obvious that none of the
restrictions built up by the Allies will
be abandoned, it is very different as tn
now far this government will go in ac-
tuaIly Cooperating with them
The United States is slated, therefore.
to find itself in a difficulty between the
policies Of it's allies the exigencies of
the war and its own views of interna-
tional law. The allied governments are
understood to appreciate the situation
and to be anxious not to make it more
dlft1cult. AS result, it is probable that
the inter-departmental board of the de-
partments OF state, treasury and justice
will recommend to Congress laws which
will re-state American policy without
Gripping the huge machinery already set
up by the Allies for bringing Germany
to terms.
The situation of the few remaining neu-
trails is expected also to call for the deep
esq consideration at the conference, an
it is the hope here that several other na-
tons VIII definitely range themselves with
the Allies.
Eventual Terms
Neither side, 1t is understood will miss
the opportunity of sounding out the other
as to the eventual peace terms and tho
reconstruction of the world. 1t is vel ap
preCiated abroad that this country is not
in perfect sympathy with s1Ine of the
peace terms of the Entente and that II
does not look to as complete a crushing
of Germany as some Of the Entente coun
tries demand. For that reason the Euro
rean delegates will be eager to sound ou
officials here as far as possible in orde,
to see II what extent they can count or
complete American support