New-York tribune., 1917-07-20
Believes Discussion in Paris
Will Have No Bearing
on Its Policies
Will Ask Voice in
Future Councils
Government Will Not In
terfere in the Balkan
Situation

Washington, July 19.-The United
States has been officially invited by the
Allied governments to participate in
the inter-Alied conference TO be held
in Paris some time this month, but has
decided that for the present it will not
be necessary to take part in such meet
ings not directly affecting this coun-
try's part in the war.
1t was officially explained at the
State Department that while this
course was followed at present it was
not TO be taken as an indication of
permanent policy.
The Paris conference was stated in
the invitation TO be largely military
and upon the Balkan situation. The
United States at present has no direct
interest in that question as affecting
its own war plans. it was stated, except
as it reacts on the whole war situation.
1t is not deemed necessary for this
country 10 interfere in military and
diplomatic questions with which it has
no immediate concern.
America Must Have Voice
Nevertheless. it is realized that as a
final settlement Of the world war is
reached the voice of the United States
will have to become increasingly i'm
portant in its attempt TO secure a just
peace which shall free the world from
causes of future wars. On that basis
the government is examining the vari-
Gus plans of reconstruction suggested.
and will. when it deems the moment
ripe, suggest equitable adjustments.
This time, however, is thought not yet
TO have arrived.
IL was learned in an authoritative
diplomatic quarter that although Greece
has become belligerent since the con-
ference was called the changed situa
tion in the Balkans which was foreseen
with the Allies knowledge of what
events were to transpire in Greece
made it advisable for the Allies to con-
slider questions concerning the Balkans
which are now pressing.
Efforts Against Turkey
The first considerations will have in
KEY, with the aim of destroying Tur-
keys assistance to the Central En-
pires; against Bulgaria, liberating
Greek territory of Bulgarian invaders,
and the weakening of Bulgaria's aid to
Austria and Germany, and the recovery
OF Rumania. ..,,
The political questions relate to the
boundary Of Albania. which is to be
fixed definitely 70 avoid contentious and
difficulties in the future; to assure to
Serbia the restoration of Bosnia-Herze-
govina. a rectihcation Of the frontiers
of Montenegro and the consideration of
Italian claims respecting the eastern
shores of the Adriatic The Italian
claims are considered the most embar-
RAISING of all matters to come before
the conference, and it is doubted If any
final decision respecting them will be
obtained.
The problems of maintaining lines Of
communication in the Mediterranean
and the submarine operations in those
waters also will receive a large share
Of the conferences time and consldera-
tion. According TO information avail
able here. the submarine menace IN the
Mediterranean has not decreased, al
though there is no indication that II is
Increasing. However. the Allies needs
in the Mediterranean are increasing
and the embarrassment caused by sub
nsr;ra activities therefore has in
creased in proportion. 1t is still neces-
sarv for the Allies to rely TO great
o~tsnt on the Italian line across the
ASriatic through Albania, which min
imizes the dangers from U-boats.