Evening star., 1917-12-02
PROGRESS MADE j
TOWARD WAR UNITY
Supreme Allied Council Ac-
compIishes important Things
in Short Time.
COL. HOUSE IN "BIG FOUR"
BY CHARLES H. GRASTY.
CabIegram to The Sunday Star and
New York Times.
Copyright, 1917

Copyright. 1919
PARIS, December Absolute secrecy
as to details was preserved about to-
days meeting Of the supreme war coun-;
ell at Versailles. but II is known mark
ed progress was made in the plans for
unity of control Although the time
occupied was short, important results
were accomplished.
Col. House and Gen. Bliss arrived at
the Hotel Trianon. in Versailles, a.
about 1920 am. A few minutes later
they were Joined by the three premisrs
Lloyd George. Clemenceau and Or
lando. They retired to an upstairs room
for preliminary consultation. Col.
House wore fur-lined coat and one
journalist said he saw slate sticking
out of one of his pockets.
Military Chiefs Kill Time.
While the big four" were closeted.
| the military chiefs who had arrived be-
| fore 1890, the hour for the conference,
| killed time in the giass-inclosed We
randa upon which the conference room
opens. Gen. Robertson lit a pipe and
walked UP and down. as II thinking
hard Gen. Bliss chatted with Gordon
Auchincloss. secretary to the American
mission, while Gen. Cadorna withdrew
| to a corner and chatted with an aid.
| At 1890 o'clock the Big Four" came
down the steps and entered the confer
ence room, Col. House stopping to leave
his coat in the hall. Lloyd George led
Orlando and House. Some secretaries
accompanied the chiefs. Auchincloss
and A. H. Frazer. secretary Of the
American embassy In Paris. following
Col. House.
AS Col. House descended the staifs
one American correspondent said:
"It looks like a political convention
in America. The bosses have hxed up
| everything beforehand and the conven-
| ton proceedings should be brief"
Conference Ends Work.
By the Associated Press. g., 4,
/ PARIS. December 1.-The work Of the
linterallied conference ended here to-
day. when the various committees that
were appointed on the opening day
of the committees will report directly
to their own governments. although ne
American members will continue to
hold informal conferences for the noxt;
few days, particularly with their French
associates. Tho principal delegates OF
the other countries will leave for their
homes tomorrow and Monday. No
further plenary meeting Of the confer
ence will be held. although 1t is pos,
sibie that formal meeting Of the dele
gates still here may be called for Mon
day evening or Tuesday morning for
the official closing.
Clemenceau Presides.
The meeting Of the supreme war
council at Versailles was devoted large
| ly. to adopting the method of proceed
ura Premier Clemenceau presided. and
there were no speeches or formalftfeo
Of any kind. the members Immediately
| beginning the work which had been
outlined in the preliminary conferenoea..
The hotel in which the meeting was
held was closely guarded by military,
and even the Official photographers OF
permitted to enter the groundA A
| small crowd Of persons assembled OUT
side the hotel. but there was no cheef.
ing or demonstrations The presenoo,
! Of the soldiers and the flight Of q dirigf~
BILE over the town while the conferenoo
was in progress gave a military aspect
| to the scene.
To Frame Definite Plans.
1t was announced tonight that the
military advisers of the four nations
Italy and the United States-wdll con-
tinue their discussions next week ana
| until they have formulated a definite
policy for a general plan to complete
cooperation on the western 'front.'
When this has been done. q plenary
meeting Of the supreme war council
will be held. but such a meeting Is not
expected before Christmas. .s
The immediate plans Of the Ameri-
can mission have not been decided on.
but several Of the members expect to
visit the American training camps be-
| fore returning to the United States.
Bainbridge Colby. member of the Unit
ed States shipping board, already has
made a brief visit to the French front
TN IA n