The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-21
WITH ITALYS KING GONE
WILSON GETS TO WORK

PARIS, Dec 2l-King Victor En-
on his way TO visit Italian troops in
Belgium, With his departure Paris
put aside her holiday attire and mat
ter-of-fact consideration of conference
Arrangements began in earnest this
morning.
Premier Orlando and Foreign Minis
ter Sonnino of Italy remained in Paris
but will start for Rome tonight, ex-
peeting to return early in January. The
Italian king will start on Sunday for
Rome, going directly from Belgium.
President Wilson and the American
delegates had a day Of few Interrupt
tions before them in which to study, in
a preliminary way, various plans which
have been proposed for carrying out
details of Mr., Wilson's program.
Apparently the other powers are look
ing to the United States to bring forth
a concrete proposition concerning free
dom OF the seas. Probably the Amer-
can delegation has not agreed upon any
one OF many suggested plans having
this in view, but there Is reason to be-
lieve that the. proposed limitation Of
construction Of naval craft to lightly
armored vessels, like revenue cutters,
whose sole purpose would be to protect
merchant shipping, finds favor.
Advocates Of this plan say there
would be no. further use for heavily
armed ship IL all nations were placed
on an equal footing by this means.
In answer to the British plea that she
requires great navy to defend her COL
onies, advocates Of the plan of limiting
construction say that, with no strong
enemy of the sea, England would not
require q grand fleet, as she could pro-
tect her distant possessions by troops
Transported on armed transports.
This Is only one Of the plans advanced
to open therdiscusslon and develop the
views Of other powers,
Delay In lfoFFRulAting plans for, the
procedHEs. a the peace conference 10
causing unEasiness among American
and other foreign correspondents who
are eagerly awaiting definite announce
ments as to- whether open sessions will
be held and whether the censorship will
be relaxed as to news Of nonmilitary
character.
Plans have been perfected for the
American correspondents to make a trip
through the battle zone during the
Christmas holidays Chaumont and
Tours will be among the points visited
Count Romanones, the Spanish pre-
mier, was in conference for half an
hour with President Wilson last eve.
the president to visit Spain, but no Of
ficial announcements as to Mr.. Will
sens reply has been made,
Premier Clemenceau also conferred
with the president during the evening.
The Sorbonne will confer an honorary
degree on the president late this af-
ternoon.
The Italian embassy gave dinner in
honor of King Victor Emmanuel and
his son, the prince Of Piedmont, last
night 1t was followed by brilliant
reception. Col and Mrs. House were
present. President Poincare and mem
bers Of the ministry accompanied the
Italian king to the station on his de-
parture from the city.
The preliminary peace conference at
Versailles has been postponed until the
beginning of February at the earliest,
says Marcel Hutin, editor Of the Echo
de Paris. This postponement is due, he
says, to changes In plans because Of
President Wilson's visit to England and
the reconstruction OF the British cabinet
which will occupy Premier Lloyd George
as soon as the results of the elections is
announced on Dec 28
Preliminary exchanges, which were to
begin In Paris today, according to orig
inal plans, have also been deferred