Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-30
RESULTSSOFAR
PLEASE PRESIDENT
Allied Statesmen Reaffirm IA
Principles and Approve
League of Nations.
NO DIscoRp IN SIGHT

NU UISCUhD IN SiGH ]
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright by New York Evening Post, Ine.)
MANCHESTER, Eng, December 80.
Wilson feels that he can
survey with satisfaction the results
thus far Of his trip to Europe. Not
only has he discussed with leading
statesmen Of Great Britain, France and
Italy basis for the coming peace and
secured reaffrmation of the fourteen
principles, but he has obtained verbal
assurances on every side that a pro-
vision for a league of nations Will be
incorporated in the peace treaty.
When Mr. Wilson, speaking at the
Guildhall. said that the key to peace
was the guarantee of the peace. not
the items of it. and that the items
would be worthless unless maintained
by a permanent concert of power, he
implied. Of course, the construction of
a league of nations. His speech has
obtained widespread approval. and
when Premier Lloyd George told the
American correspondents in voice
carrying conviction that an agree
ment had been reached in regard to
the fundamentals of peace, this point
stressed by Mr.. Wilson since his de-
parture from America unquestionably
had been won.
The prime minister, his cabinet and
Mr.. Wilson have canvaSsed the ground
pretty thoroughly. but have not, OF
course, gone into the details. Admit
tedly the greatest task before the
peace conference is the application of
the details to square with general
principles, but tangible progress can
be recorded when it is considered that
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Lloyd George,
after two days in conference, found
their minds running in the same chan
nels with respect to any procedure
which should be adopted in working
out the practical details Of every
problem.
o. S. and England Agreed.
There was convincing determination
in the expression Of Mr.. Lloyd George
as he told the American correspond
ents There will be no differences or
disagreements between the United
States and Great Britain certainly.
and I am quite sure none between
ourselves and the other allies"
The premier admitted that difficult
ties might be encountered with re-
spect to details, but his evident inten-
ton was to convey the impression
that he and his colleagues would join
with Mr.. Wilson in approaching, all
problems in a spirit of impartial JUS
tice. Indeed it can be said that an
era Of good feeling of immense sig
nificance pervades the whole atmos-
phere of the peace negotiations ever
since President Wilson arrived here,
removing erroneous impressions and
explaining points which raised doubts.
The reception given to Mr.. Wilson
in England is especially noteworthy,
not merely as a tribute to the Presi-
dent through the hattering attention
pad to This speeches. the welcome. the
respect the applause Of the crowds
emphasizing how strong Mr.. Wilson
himself is in the hearts Of the people
but even more because it shows a
strong bond Of friendship for the
American people and deep-seated
belief that the English-sp de-
mocracies have been drawn closer to-
eether than they have ever been since
the American revolution.
More United Than Any Believes.
The English newspapers, without
exception. have received Mr.. Wilson
with open arms, and welcome what
they call the philosopher and states
man in tones so cordial and outspoken
that America and Great Britain enter
the peace conference more united in
the ideals they seek than the most
enthusiastic of Mr.. Wilson's support
ers believed was possible to attain in
so short a time.
This Is due. however, to the fact
that in Europe the issues of peace are
much more clearly defined in the pub
lie mind than in America. The laugh
ing remark of Arthur ]. Balfour. the
foreign secretary IN: to the American An sea
more harmony here than you have in
America" was quite pertinent
All clippings from American news
papers, for example, showing any OPP
position to the Wilson program are
gathered together and distributed
here. Furthermore. many persons high
In British off1cia1dom have received a
copy Of scathing memorandum at
lacking the personality and character
Of Mr. wilson. So conspicuous is this
activity of Mr.. Wilson's opponents
that the London Weekly Dispatch ed
ltOrially takes occasion TO administer
a rebuke thus: TT is felt In many
quarters here that members OF the
United States republican party now In
London, who are endeavoring to i'm
press upon all that the Presidents
decisions have to be ratified by the
foreign relations committee Of the
Senate, might cease their activities
during his visit Politics are politics
the world over. but the President is
being received not as the head OF the
democratic party, but as the President
Of the United States"
Anxious to Get Down to Business.
The impatienoe Of Mr.. Wilson to got
down to the business Of the peace con-
ference Is reflected in his speeches
His trip to England was arranged
suddenly in the hope Of getting things
started promptly. The British gov
eminent pardonably has been engaged
in the absorbing activities of the gen
eral election.
But it must not be believed that
England is alone In favoring the Gre
alton Of a league of nations. Though
the subject had not been widely dis
cussed before Mr.. Wilson's visit
Premier C1emenceau personally as
sured the President of his readiness
to endeavor to set up such an asso'
citation at the peace conferences as
would give sanction to the treaty it.
self.