New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-20
But Wilson Has Almost
Decided to Attempt a
World Conference
THINKS 1T WILL BE
BASIS FOR AGREEMENT
Neutral and Belligerent
Diplomats Skeptical OF
His Success

Washington. Jan. 19.-The convening
OF a world conference. suggested to-day
in Tho Tribune as President Wilson's
rext peace move. is more than pos
sibility. Il is being so seriously con
sidcred by Mr.. Wilson that il is al
most a purpose.
A. already stated. Mr.. Wilson would
not attempt 20 convene such con-
cress without first sounding the other
world rowers. particularly the bellig-
crents. He could not afford TO meet
IN omen rebuff. nor could he take the
chance Of offending one side OF the
other. Such soundinSs would be made
secretly. II is even possible that 'hey
have begun.
II there is q chance of success, and
doubt on this point is the only de-
torrent 10 President Wilson. the Schehe
win b.. be put into execution before
tho end Of March. 10 viii be useleSs'
tFcials say. TO make any proposal
during the progress OF the summer
military campaigns.
Furnish Basis for Discussion
President Wilson i'm undertaking the
project will have to make IT pam t1G'
he is not proposing peace or even SEE
ing 20 interfere with the normal cOui
of the present war. The stated OBJ
would be TO furnish a basis lot VI
mate pesce negotiations by reacnlnG
first an informal agreement rs 70 lnV S
necessary guarantees against Iu'"''
wars. 81, =, L;.
country from Congress. from the pres
and from the people 70 any proposal
MAJ the United States desert ITS ira
ditional policy Of isolation Is, OF c0ui'v
i'm Mr.. Wilson'S mind. Senator boian
in , spepch on the Hitchcock resolu-
ton TO indorse the President s peSC
note revealed the sentiment agaihsl
meddling in European analrs an"
forced the elimination OF all ldhFu"s
that would have committed the senate
TO recognition OF the Presl0en'
Tho revelation by The Tribune that
conference move was possible WAS
fav-rablv commented on in many quar-
tors to-day. Diplomats who repFeSeN,,s
soroe of the European neutrals VIII
not he hampered by precedents' II
ANYTHING the very TACT That tao 'dea
IL revolutionary will make IL az the
more attractive to President WilsoH'
lie has upset diplomatic traditions De-
fore. These ncutrals will not oppose
hin. i'm this plan, but fear some OF the
bel.igercnts may.
Plan Not Too Welcome
In German quarters there Is dis
position 20 favcr anything that LOOKS
ike pcace. But the Germans are not
pushing the world conference plan'
though they viii not refuse 10 enter
IL. Germany. o. has been pointed out.
wants a peace with her enemies with
out neutral interference. II she can get
il. but if she can't she will take peace
on any other l!an.
The Allies, or the other hand. do
not want peace yet, but they want the
neutrals 20 play Il par: 81 tho ultimate
peace. Thcv may consider 2 world con
ference proposal premature. they may
fear a trap 20 force au irccnc!usiNe
peace. but they probably would con
slider 10 an excellent opportunity 20 in
sure neutral cooperation toward .nsur-
ing the permantncy OF the pence that
is finally made.
Therefore il appears that While nei-
tncr group OF tclligerents would enter
Mr. Wilson's conference with euthusi-
asm. they az would hesitate TO reject
the Invitation. Viewed from this point
of view. :hc scheme as whole seems
less likely than any other plan 70 have
q faint OF partially.
A an index OF the German sentiment
about II. a prominent German who was
asked to-day how such q conference
could assist in ending the present wal
replied:
well. the neutrais by prearrance.
meEt might walk out o.; the room anC
leave the telligerents alone. Wher
they came back they might find that
peace had been made