Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-19
WILL RESIST PLAN
T0D|STR|BUTE Them
0NBAS|S0 OF LOSSES
Believed This Would Support
Declaration War Was Not
for Conquest.
EXPECT ERIC GEDDEs ss
TO SUPPORT STAND
- --- ~ ~
President Wilson Gives Personal
Impressions of Expert - Il.
ences in France. - -.
FIRM FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS
-Four Days Of Gathering Views ,of
Leaders Has Not Changed Chief ~
Executives Mind. s.s.-
FIRM FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS
-Four Days Of Gathering Views 5
Leaders Has Not Changed Chief I
Executives Mind. ,s.s
LBy Associated Press. |

4 bN Associated Press. -
PARIS, December lS.--he American
delegates TO the peace congress have
resolved to advocate the sinking or
the surrendered enemy warships and
resist any proposition to distribute
them on the basis Of naval losses, This
announcement is made by those insciose
touch with the American representa{
tircs. who. It is added, feel chat such a
position would result i'll avoiding con-
tention and materially support PreSt.
dent Wilson'S declaration that the war
was not based on aggression or the
acquisition OF property. -
EnSla through Sir Eric Geddes,
First Lord of the Admiralty. had pre-
riously acquiesced in the Auerican
plan To destroy the captured or SIR.
rendered warships. and It Is dcclnIed.
will continue to support the Cnitsd
States. although Il is expected that
some of the lesser naval powers will
demand that the prizes be dis; ributed.
American naval stations will 4 Be
maintained for at least year at
Brest. Gibraltar and in the Azores TO
render aid to American merchant ships.
The consent Of France, England and.
Portugal has already been secured. Tho
aero and radio stations at these points
calls for aid by American shipping in
distress. and facilities will be Afforded
for needed repairs and supplies. .lstsys
MERciIANr MARINE
Although tho plans have not been
developed. it IS believed in naval Sirs
eles e that tho Shipping Board desires
ships with naval officers and creWs
until private capital - organized 10
undertake tho great task OF opsraI-
The other naval establishments iii
Europe have been ordered abandoned
as as, rapidly as possible. and progress in
sidered. The United States navy had
twcnty-seven aero stations along the
European coast. the material OF Which,,
Azores. is being shipped home. Naval
transports relieved os carrying munf-
tions Will hereafter convey food sup
1t is cHpected that the army also VIII
soon be able TO use a number OF l:s
transports similarly on eastern voS-
ages.
Demobilization OF the naval persot,.
mel has been ordered to proceed rapidly
pn iHe 1hsis sts Of the tra1sfe5 to the
good character and physique The
needs or the new merchant marine. 1t
Is calculated, Will absorbe as largo
proportion OF such reservists asl{is
desired. - : -.
President Wilson gave his personal
the representatives OF the American
press OF his experiences thus far in
France. At the same time announce-
ment was made that the members o:
the American commission TO negotiane
peace would meet daily with the press.
me president in response to a suE-
II have been asked to say few
WORDS IN regard TO my reception here.
Ths So reception no. lon. was $50 so tremendous that
delighted with 1t, but was delighted
for a special reason. which is not per-
Il was saying to several of our
French. friends that unders TODD i, be.
cause ] saw in the eyes Of the crowd
and was aware that IL was but sort
OF reciprocal! feeling. But that moved
m me very much, because that, of course,
dinlity on the part OF these del:ghtful
people; 1t meant thoughtful back
ground TO the thing which was very
or feeling In this wonderfully beauti-
~ ~, s'ty made combination of emo
"s han onet e nns IN TGna itetms not hays 4bEe more
well as | can put it offhand."
FIRMLY CONVINCED OF
GREAT LEAGUE IDEA
After four days of gathering views
sons closest advisers say he has seen
no reason 70 change his belief that
u tne foundation Of league OF nations
treaty. ~
These advisers say tha, the pres;.
dent In explaining his definition OF the
freedom OF the seas" will reassurs
Premier Lloyd George that he has
no intention of demanding reduction
OF the British navy to a point invoif.
ing tho unsafety OF the empire. but
Will emphasize his feeling that the
empire. - S.st.iiSts
King Emmanuel. who is expee,sea 70.
arrive on Thursday. already has Incsa
tmliy im advised OF the Presidents plans
through conferences with Couiftatii
E,eiiers' i,e,,n5' Italian ambassador 20 TIE
take the opportunity to make 'personxf
explanations to the King. s7S5t,
ine nope Is expressed BY tnosc sur.
rounding the President that tho ex-
changes OF views VIII clear away any
partial misunderstanding which may
exist In regard to aI-. Wilson'S atli, Il
tude and prepare the way for ho.sas-
semblage OF tho conferences with corl-,s
plcSitics removed. SO that IL wilISsse y
ready to deal with principles and any Z.
outstanding differences OF opinionstfnt 4
remain fsss>eYt:fsfss
In all his conferences. the Presidsnt
has taken opportunity to Impress siifs 4
view, II IL said. by those who ~ < Ati.s IS