Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-19
Wilson May Return
Soon From, France

Continued from PAGE One ...t :
neutrals will be invited to- discuss the
subject of a league of nations. The
consensus of opinion Of the best in
formed observers here seems to be
that they ultimately will be 50 invited.
1t seems evident that Americans may
expect that the announcements on the
progress of the conferences will be Of
n very limited nature until after the
new year. the intervening time being
taken up by exchanges, which are nee
essarily confidential.
After four days of gathering views
OF leaders in France, President Will
sons closest advisers say he has seen
no reason to change his belief that the
foundations of a league OF nations Is
inseparable from the actual peace
treaty itself.
VIII Reassure British
These advisers say that the Presi.
dent in explaining his definition OF
"the freedom of the seas will re-.
assure Premier Lloyd George that he
has no intention OF demanding a re.
,duction Of the British navy to a point
involving the safety OF the empire, but
will emphasize his feeling that the plan
of a league will strengthen the en-.
pire
The hope is expressed by those sur
rounding the President that the ex.
changes Of views will clear away any
partial misunderstanding which may
exist in regard to Mr.. Wilson's atti-
tude and prepare the way for the as.
semblage of the conference with com.
pleXities removed so that it will be
ready to deal with principles and any
outstanding differences of opinion that
remain.
League Must Guarantee Peace
. Some undercurrents are interpreted
as showing indications of regret be.
cause the acceptance Of President vii.
sons points in a general way pre-.
vented some nations from achieving
their own objects, which might have
been gained if Germany's collapse had
been made even more complete. In
reply, il has been made plain to those
with whom the President conferred
that the United States Government
does not consider the war q victory
of arms alone and that victory would
be incomplete without an organization
of nations to guarantee world peace.
Favor Sinking Foes Ships
The American delegates to the Peace
Conference have resolved to advocate
lIlt SllIhllS vi lilt sui tIlutIbu tItI1lN
warships and resist any proposition to
distribute them on the basis of naval
losses.
This announcement is made by those
in close touch with the American rep.
resentatives, who, it is added, feel. that
such a position would result in avoid.
ing contention and materially support
President Wilson's declaration chat
the war was not based on aggression
or the acquisition of property.
England, through Sir Eric Geddes.
First Lord of the Admiralty, had pre-
viously acquiesced IN the American
plan to destroy the captured or sur
rendered warships, and, it is stated,
will continue to support the United
States, although it is expected that
some of the lesser naval powers will
demand that the prizes be distributed
To Discuss Italy's Claim
Much interest attaches to the con.
ferences which President Wilson
will have with King Victor Emman-
uel, who arrived here today. II
has been said by the Presidents
associates that he will go further
into the subject of Italy's position
at the Peace Conference in his con-
versations with the King, having al.
ready had several informal talks
during the voyage from america to
France with Count Macchi di Cellere.
italian ambassador and high comrnis-
sioner to the United States. as we'll as
another discussion Of these questions
Tuesday.
It is known the President feels the
warmest sympathy for the purposes
which led Italy to enter the war. New.
ertheless. the tentative lines laid out
in consequence of an investigation ny
Colonel Edward NJ. House respecting
the probable extent Of territory which
should go to Italy, on the principle OF
scIal or linguistic determination. do
not fully accord with the ideas OF the
italian Government. which feels that
it should go further than is indicated
by this outline. This is one of the sub
jects which Mr.. Wilson discussed with
Count di Cellere, whom he is believed
to have told the extent to which the
American representatives We're willing
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