The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-20
,llLLSUPPORT
JUST ACTION
Wilson Tells italian Officials
Regarding Legitimate Claims
of Their Nation.
eREETs KING VICTOR
American Mission Settling
Down to Work-Organisa-
ton Gradually Completed.

Paris. Dec. 20.--President Wilson
spent the most of today comforting
with Italian statesmen and consider
ing the claims that Italy will lay be-
fore the peace conference.
Early in the day Mr.. Wilson con-
ferred for some time with Premier
Orlando and Foreign Minister Som
nino of Italy, who explained in de-
tail their country's ambitions. The
president has expressed warmest
sympathy with Italy's aspirations,
but has not committed himself fully
as to his views.
After the conference Mr.. Wilson
went over material presented and
compared IL with data collected by
Col. House, who spent some time in
attempting to determine what, in his
opinion, should be Italy's legitimate
claims. Mr.. Wilson frankly told
Premier Orlando and Baron Sonnino
that he did not know what Italy
should receive, but added that he In
tended to support action that would
be just. Other members of the Amer
ican peace delegation will meet these
same officials for. the phrpose of
gaining personal Knowledge or their
NlCWS, WHICIi udNC OSCh SAPihihpt -
n preliminary way by Count Di Gel
lere, Italian ambassador at Wash
ington. This will go far toward lay
ing the groundwork for considera-
tion and determination of Italy's
claims in actual conferences later.
Eager to Greet Wilson.
The majority of the members OF
the large diplomatic corps here had
never met the president and all were
eager to greet him personally. While
the diplomatic corps was being re-
ceived, a committee from the French
senate waited to formally welcome
the president to France and give ex-
preston to the cordial sentiments
and bonds of friendship between the
two republics.
Paris took another holiday today
because of the arrival of King Vim
manuel and his son, the Prince OF
Piedmont. The reception given the
Italian sovereign was not as large as
that which marked the arrival of
Mr.. Wilson, but it was fully as en-
thusiastic.
King Of Italy Cordial.
The cordiality shown at the meet
ing between Mr.. Wilson and King
Victor Emmanuel Yesterday was a
subject of much comment by those
who were present. The president had
been somewhat concerned as to the
event, not knowing that the Italian
king speaks English. After the ex-
change of greetings. the two states
men came to a. mutual understand
ing. and during their conversation
they could he seen to be smiling and
gestculating in the most friendly
manner.
Now Week in Europe.
Mr.. Wilson's first week in France
is drawing to a close. with his ad-
visers feeling that much has been ac-
complished in preliminary way to-
ward establishing personal relations
with statesmen with whom the
American delegation will have to
deal. Organization is now appearing
out Of the confusion which prevailed
during the first few days after the
presidents arrival. Various sections
of the American mission are settling
down to the work which must be
done before the early part OF jan
uary, when the first sessions OF the
peace conference are held.