The Raymer enterprise., 1918-12-26


full agreement, will prevail In the
main.
Americas delegates to the peace
conference, II is declared, have agreed
to recommend the destruction Of the
surrendered enemy warships, In or
der TO avoid any disputes as to
their distribution. In this they are
supported by the British who
through Sir Eric Geddes. first lord of
the admiralty, already had acquiesced
In the plan. The smaller nations prob
ably will protest against this plan, for
they had counted on building up their
navies with some Of the Hun vessels.
That vague proposition. the free
dom of the seas" is becoming a trife
less vague, and the chances that 1t
will cause any serious dispute between
the Americans and the British at the
conference table are growing daily
more remote. II Is understood that
Mr.. Wilson has assured. or will assure
Premier Lloyd George that he has no
Intention OF suggesting that the Brit
ish navy be reduced to point that
would endanger the safety Of the EN-
pire. In this, as In all else, the presl-
dents frequent conferences with the
statesmen of Europe are having de-
cided effect and the possibility OF
clashes between the American dele
gates and those Of the other nations Is
fading away rapidly.
King Victor Emmanuel OF Italy and
the prince Of Piedmont, heir to the
throne, arrived In Paris Thursday and
met President Wilson. formally inyit-
Ing him to visit Italy. Over In Eng
land there was much confusion owing
to Mr.. Wilson's sudden change Of
plans regarding his visit to London.
He determined to be there ON Decem-
Der 20, instead Of waiting until later,
the reason given being the possibility
that he might find 1t necessary to re-
turn to the United States earlier than
had been expected.
-
For the time being, at least, the boil
sheviki Of Germany are beaten. The
national convention Of delegates OF
the soldiers and workmen's councils
opened In Berlin and at once declared
In favor Of the calling of u national
assembly to elect president of Ger
many and the government set Decem
ber 20 as the date. The Independent
Socialists lined up In the convention
with the Social Democrats, the party
which Is now In control and which Is
led by Ebert, Scheidemann and othel
Of the peoples commissioners. Lieb
knecht and his Spartacides vainly
fought the plan for national assem-
bly,, and the fiery Karl was barred
from the meeting. Ebert continues tC
urge the orderly formation of re
public that shall be strongly social
istlc, but the belief that he really
would foster c0unter-revolutlon per
sists In some quarters. 1t was violent
ly voiced in the Berlin meeting by
Ge0rg Ledebour, radical leader OF
the Independent Socialists, but he was
howled down.
The response Of the congress to the
attack was the adoption of resolu.
tion transferring legislative and execu.
tive power to the Ebert government
until some other arrangement Is made
by the national assembly.
In many parts of Germany great dis
order prevails. At Danzlg. for In
stance. all the prisons were opened
and the inmates set at liberty, and
street fighting Is general.
~
Meanwhile the bolshevik menace |,
moving westward in Russia. The fol
lowers OF Lenine and Trotsky have or
ganized a formidable army and ar,
steadily attacking the people of III,
Baltic provinces. The arrival OF allied
naval forces at several ports has moi
sufiiced to stop this movement, and tn,
provisional government OF Esthonis
has placed that republic" under the
common protection Of the entente pow
ers pending the decision of the peace
conference" Llvonla. Courland and
much Of LIthuanla are In much Tho
same plight as Esthonia. and the retIr
Ing German troops are adding to thu
distress Of the people.
~
There have betn recently lnsistent
demands for the withdrawal Of British
forces from Russia. To these yiscount
Miner, secretary Of war. replies with
statement explaining the continuance
Of the allied operations In Russia AMI
justifying them. not only as the carry
Ing out Of an obligation Of honor ID
protect. the Russians and Czecho- Slo
yaks from i'olshevlk outrages, but also