South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-17
Washington of Opinion That
Complete Program Can be
Outlined at Meeting
With Allies.
PUBLIC WILL BE TOLD
OF WORK OF COMMISSION
President Holds That Criti-
CiSm Will be Quoted if All
PoIiCtiCaI Facts Are
Given to Press.
Lnternailonal News Serrlcn

| international News Service:
WASHINGTON, April II. -
Sweeping allied victories on the
western battle front in France today
increased the interest in the great
international conference which
starts here shortly. The manner in
which French and British alike are
forcing back the German lines en-
phasizes the belief in military and
diplomatic circles that danger is
past of an enormous and sudden
blow against Russia which might
oyerwhelm the new republic and
make the task of Germany's foes
far greater than had been antici-
pated
Officials in close touch with the
situation in the entente embassies
say that if Germany can hold her
lines in the east now she will be
extremely fortunate as il has been
necessary TO withdraw the first line
veterans 10 try to hold the Hin
denburg line" and that the Russian
forces, poorly disciplined and equip
ped as they are. are more powerful
than the enemies confronting them.
In consequence, officials here say
the Anglo-French-U United States con-
ference can discuss a complete pro-
gram without fearing that il may
be overwhelmed by military changes.
Real Work Next Week.
The real work OF the commission
will not begin until next week.
While the British members are in
this country the French section
hardly can reach here before Sat
urday at the earliest. officials be-
lieve. Tomorrow. however the Brit
ish members will be received at the
white house by Pres't Wilson. 1t is
expected that at the outset the
president will make plain the gen.
eral position of the United States in
the war. He may also tell the COM
missioners that so far as the United
States is concerned. it desires the
WIDEST publicity to all proceedings
OF the gathering which do not have
TO deal with military and naval Sc
crets.
There is growing disposition on
the part of the administration 10 in
sist on as much publicity as possible
for the commission. Since an
nOuncement was made that il was
coming to this country there has
been much latent criticism in con-
gressional circles over the possibil-
ity that through il "entangling
European alliances" might be form
ed The president is understood to
believe that this criticism Will be
disarmed II the commission per-
mits all of the facts dealing with
the political side OF the gathering
TO become known 10 the people
IL is expected that the first ques-
ton 10 be disposed of will be the
disposition Of the $4,000. 100000 loan
to the allies The lions share is
10 go 10 France. officials generally
have agreed upon that. Russia also
is to be taken care of. To sugges-
tions that Russia might never be
able 20 pay back cash loaned her
officials have said that if the money
will stiffen the Russian resistance
and help 20 create real republic
on the ruins Of the most despotic
monarchy OF modern times, IL will
nave DeeH wen spent SNS' 'li'"7iA
a single dollar is not returned.
The meeting OF the joint com
mission has practically overshadow-
ed all other war preparation plans.
Congress is making haste slowly
with the bills which carry out the
administrations progra.A- But this
is not displeaSing TO the administra-
ton II is realized that popular
pressure 20 let the president have
his way is growing daily and mas
much as all that can be done in
the way OF war preparation except
ing the actual raising of armies is
being done the delay in congress is
considered more helpful than hurt
full