Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-30

ron will leave Europe on nis re-
turn to the United States Febru-
ary 10.
President Wilson will return to
Washington in ample time to sign
I'll legislative measures passed by
Congress in the last days of its
present session, ending March 8.
Reports from abroad that the Presi-
cent contemplates remaining in Eu-
rope until April or May were declared
to be without foundation. 1t was
oointed out that his failure to sign
bills prior to ten days before the
closing of the present session of Con-
sress would not interfere with their
becoming laws. though he is signing
them as they are transmitted to him
from the White House.
But the Constitution. in the same
sentence which states that IF any bill
shall not be returned by the President
within ten days after, it shall have
been presented to him" shall take Ell
feet as if it had been approved. also
states that unless Congress by their
adjournment prevent it's return; IN
which case it snail not be a law"
Presence Required.
II the President were not here to
sign bills passed during the nine days
preceding March 4 they would not be-
come laws. Most Of the appropriation
bills generally are passed during the
closing week of the congressional ses-
sion.
Friends of the President in Wash
ington believe that he is making prog
ress as rapidly as he hoped to In COM
ing to agreements with allied rep
resentatives regarding the broad gen.
cral terms of a peace settlement
Following upon the declarations OF
Lloyd George and other British states
men. indoTsins the principle of a
league of nations, importAnoe-Meol At
tached to the statement OF stephen
Pichon, French minister of foreign az
fairs, quoted In todays dispatches.
that the French government has
adopted the principle of such league
and now is working toward its realt-
cation.
Last Obstacle Gone.
This statement was construed rs in
dicating that the last barrier against
the acceptance Of this principle had
been swept away. for France has
been the least enthusiastic among the
allied European nations about the
league Under the shadow of the Ger
man menace she was unwilling to
trust to any instrument which could
not be depended upon without fail to
assure her against further invasion
by Prussia
Therefore, the acquiescence of the
French foreign minister was con-
strued here as further proof that in
conferences with allied officials
President Wilson not only has i'm
pressed them with the wisdom Of
adopting the principle. but has DEM
onstrated that a league of nations 10
a workable medium for preserving
peace.
leading European powers to accept in
full President Wilson's fourteen peace
principles. including the league of
nations England's statesmen ap-
proved them with the Limitation that
the phrase, freedom of the seas"
needed to be more clearly defined.
Now France. with her professed ac-
ceptance of the league plan, has prae-
,ically indorsed the entire Wilson
program.
Interest was exhibited here today in
the statement of Henry franklin
Rouillon of the foreign affairs COM
nittee of the French chamber that
here must not be "a soldier or
OF the Rhine.
Taken in conjunction with NJ Pi-
Chon's statement that France will ask
Tor territory. claiming Alsace-Lor-
aine as her own. of course. the pro-
rosal for a sort of naturalization Of
the boundaries betw cen the restored
French provinces and Germany is con.
sidered significant.
American Canadian Border.
Such an arrangement. which may be
seriously considered at the peace con-
ference. it was pointed out, has
American continent in the boundary
relations of the United States and
canada. For a century not a gun has
heen pointed north or south along the
Canadian border, Canadians and
americans cross into each others ter
tory at Will. and there has been no
Iis2ute between this country and her
scttled amicably.
Though the league of nations pro-
f;~am is only one of the questions
Re settled at the peace conference.
ertain other perplexing problems
.,Ich as the freedom of the seas and
Military and naval disarmament, are
held to be dependent upon such a
l-ague. Formation of the league con-
Ic;es international agreement
upon these questions.
There remain the Balkan and the
t:ussian questions. including the set
cement of the differences between
tally and Jugoslavia over the extent
cr the latter nations territory. and
he boundaries of the new Czecho-
:lovak state and the independence of
f'planG. But these are problems for
= settlement of which future events
=. y modify considerably.
Tie Jugoslav and Italian problem
il; he the subject of considerable
--Gy and research. The independence
Poland, pointed to by President
.ison as one of the certaipties of a
ace settlement. may not be coasum-
.lted until the present Investigation
, The alleged pogromS and nIistreat-
. cot of Jews is concluded.
nussian affairs are still in a cha
e. state. and many things may hap
.c there which will have bearing
ON the ultimate allied agreement
j Iegard TO her.
added Significance, it is pointed out.
given 10 the pronouncements of
: cyG George and tIemenceau for
srue nf nations by the overwheim-
= victory the formers m sStry re-
c'rcu at tne English roifs.' and the
.tc - ."s.:dcli.< G!srE tie latter in
80 french chamber OF deputies.