Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-17
Paris Convinced
of Stern Terms

Continued from Page One
assurances are declared to have come
to him from what was regarded as a
dependable source that the French peo-
pie, as whole, are sincere in their
acceptance CT his principles, and will up
hold them. 1t is not necessary to as
sumo, according to the view of American
official circles, that the French people
would go to the point of taking issue
with their own Government, IL it were
necessary, to support President Wilson,
for 1t is the belief of the American repre-
sentatives that no issue Of that kind can
arise,
Clemenceau Agrees
This view seems to have gained
strength, following the first interview
between President Wilson and Premier
Clemenceau. There was no lack of
warmth in the French statesman's ap-
probation of the, American position, 1t
was declared it being indicated, on the
other hand, that his attitude was thor
oughly sympathetic.
After the conferences he has had in
Paris and the personal examination he
has made into thd situation here, Presi-
dent wilson has come to understand
fully why the Peace Conference cannot
get under way before the first of the
year The mere physical proposition of
getting the American mission to the
conference settled In its offices is tre-
mendous job. 1t might almost be COM
pared to the task of shifting the con-
tents of building housing one of the
great emergency war organizations in
America and setting it up in a new
place.
Economic questions are coming promi-
nently to the front in the discussions
now going on behind the scenes. The
main point hinges on the appointment
OF Herbert c. Hooyer, the American food
administrator. as director general of re-
lief for all the Allies and the United
States.
President Wilson conferred today with
Edward n, Hurley, the shipping de-
rector, one of the subjects under dis
cussion being that of shipping for the
fomeward movement of troops. During
the last few days the foreign govern
ments have been canceling the char
ters of ships used by the United States
in transporting troops, so that the ves-
sells might be put back in trade.
An amendment to this has now been
suggested from Allied quarters by which
an interallied commission would con-
troll for the period OF one year the dis
tribution of raw materials to various
countries.
U. s. Relief Plan
The American plan for relief was pre-
sented in writing to the recent meeting
OF the Supreme War Council in London,
but action on 1t was postponed. The
arrival of Premier Lloyd George and
Premier Orlando in Paris next Thursday
will again bring these premiers together,
this time with President Wilson, and the
deferred relief project again will come up
for discussion and decision.
An amendment concerning raw mate
rials which has been postponed, prom
ises to be the main subject of discussion.
number of other questions also are
involved in the appointment of di-
rector general Of relief, particularly the
use of merchant shipping now in Ger
man ports, for the distribution df relief
and also the prompt movement of Amer
lean troops back to the United States.
A dispatch from Geneva says that the
frontier of French Savoy, bordering on
Switzerland, was illuminated with great
bonfires Sunday night in honor of the
arrival in France of President Wilson.
At resorts like Evian-les-Bains there
was dancing on a large scale for the
first time since the beginning of the war