New-York tribune., 1918-12-21


relief work in France and economic
questions, including shipping.
It is known that the French govern
ment is eager TO place large shipbuild-
ing contracts in American yards, but
the American government, it is said,
intends to keep the yards free until the
peace conference develops fully what
wards the United States may need for
its navy.
Will Release U. s. Shipping
AS result of conferences between
Edward n Hurley, chairman of the
American Shipping Board, and General
Pershing, plans have been perfected
whereby approximately 100000 tons
of shipping now used to supply the
American army in France will soon be
released for American trade.
There are more than 10000 tons of
shipping now lying at American docks,
and the increasing need of providing
for the products of American factories
which have turned from wartime to
peace basis has made some imme-
diate move necessary.
Although it had been promised by
President Wilson that the censorship
here would be lifted entirely. it de-
velops that his premise applies only to
political matter concerning the peace
conference, which does not concern
France and Great Britain. The Amer
lean delegation, it is declared, recog-
nizes the need of clarifcation and is
asking for it.
Germans in Congress
The opening meeting of the Inter
Allied Conference will be confined to
representatives. of the Allies and the
United States. who will arrange a COM
mon basis of action for the formal ses-
sions of the peace conference, which
will open toward the middle or latter
part of January.
1t is expected that the German dele
gates then will be present for the first
time 1t is pointed out that as this
is not negotiated peace, but a vic
torious peace, based on virtual uncon-
ditional surrender, in which the enemy
has been compelled to give up all de-
manded, the main purpose of the pre-
liminary conference beginning early in
January is to arrange q common front
for the peace congress.
For that reason the conferences GO
ing on between the President and Pre-
mier Orlando of Italy, and later with
Premier Lloyd George in London, have
an important bearing on this prelimi-
nary adjustment.
Meets Diplomatic Corps
The Presidents programme for the
day included q reception at the Murat
residence of the ambassadors and min
listers accredited to France. While the
diplomatic corps was being received q
committee from the French Senate
waited to formally welcome the Presi-
dent to France. A previously arranged
luncheon with Stephen Pichon, the For
eign Minister, was cancelled.
Announcement of the details of the
Presidents trip to England was rot
made during the day as had been ex-
pected because information awaited
from London had not arrived. How
ever, about all that remains to be dis
closed is the route the President will
take and the programme of his move
ments during the three or four days
of his stay in the English capital. II
has been settled that the President
will hold conferences with Premier
r
Balfour.
Direct From Front to London
When he leaves Paris for Chaumont
President Wilson probably will no
return until he comes back for tn
opening of the peace conference. Hi
movements in France will be entirel,
in charge of the army, which will TAX
him from American headquarters t.
D. one of the channel ports.
. The members of the American mis-
Il sion continued their work to-day, dis
IN posing of much material, which mus
be arranged before the actual session
begin. They feel, they declare. tina
good progress has been made.
Paris took another holiday to-da
because of the arrival of King Vic
tor Emmanuel and his son, the Prime
Of Piedmont The King was receive
this afternoon at the Hotel de Will
City HalD by the Paris Council.
Foreign Minister Pichon and Madam
Pichon gave luncheon to-day at tn
Foreign Ministry in honor of Victo
Emmanuel, President Poincare and tn
Prince of Piedmont. The guests il
cluded the Italian Premier, Vittori
Orlando, and the Italian Foreign Min
lister, Baron Sonnino, Marshal Fool
Marshal Petan, the presidents of tn
Senate and Chamber of Deputies, fol
ner President Loubct and the anbaS
sadors accredited to France. In al
there were 150 guests.
The cordiality shown at the meetin
between MIR. Wilson and the Italia
monarch yesterday was a subject G
much comment to-day. The Presiden
had been somewhat concerned as to tn
event, not knowing that the Italia
King speaks English. After the es
change of greetings. the two statesme
could be seen to be smiling and gestcr
lating in the most friendly manner.
Poincare Toasts New Italy
President Poincare in toastin
Victor Emmanuel last night at bar
quet in the Elysee Palace, said ths
the victory of italy had created me-
Italy in a new Europe.
The greatness of Italy, the Frenc
President said, was due to the inter
vention of the King which had re
suited in the destruction of forme
diplomatic combinations and the tight
ening of the bonds of sentiment an