Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-14
Clear Definition Of Meaning
OF Freedom OF. Seas To Be :
Established.
TO REACH CONCLUSIONS
OF CONCLAVE PUBLICLY
American COnferees Favor IIr
clusion OF Germany, But
Only On Probation.
By ROBERT J. BENDER.

(Copyrght, 1918, by the United Press.)
Paris, Dec. l4.-President Wilson .
whole effort will be directed at OBJ
tanning a "just and lasting peace"
The American delegation to the peace
conference, in carrying out this prin-
ciple, stands squarely on these funda-
mental contentious:
First-Thc league of nations must be
a part Of the treaty, in order to insule
square deal for all the people con
eerned. The president, lacking support
of such a league, would feel that Amer
lean participation in the negotiations
is hardly worth while.
Second Freedom of the seas must
be one of the chief principles estab-
lished through the league Of nations,
thus making it unnecessary for Amer
lea to build navy big enough to in
sure her against arbitrary action by
II any nation.
Third-Just claims against Germany
for her crimes must be ascertained and
then the possibility of pa,n,ol. ..sd
the method of collecting determined.
Public Final Meetings
Fourth-Wlile the prenminary con-
lferences NAV be confidential, the final
tconclusions should be reached publicly
| Fifth--All peace delegates should sit
as representatives Of the new world,
not as masters Of any nations. Any
other attitude would mean that consum-
nation of peace would leave hatreds
which might breed future wars.
The American conlel-eS a., -~fcr-
stood to favor inclusion of Germany
in the league of nations. But only ON
probation, until it is proven that she
can be trusted. The president will APP
proach the conference with the utmost
frankness and by such processes as
will not involve any unnecessary an.
tagonism. 1t is perfectly clear, how
ever, that for Kim the strategic centels
/ of the whole business are the questions
Of the league of nations, indemnities
and freedom Of the seas
Clear Points of Difference.
| The first tasl of the president will
be to get acquainted with the allied
| premicrs, lay OFT the preliminary lines
of procedure and attempt to clear up
any points of difference.
There has been some talk Of a pre-
arranged program having been formu-
lated by Premiers Lloyd George, Gle.
moneeau and Orlando at the recent Lon
don conference, but it is assumed tho
understandings reached there were only
provisional and for the purpose of sup
plying a concrete basis for discussion
1t is understood among other things,
they concerned the indemnity to be cx
acted from Germany
The president feels strongly that
Germany must pay for her crimes, but
it Is known he believes that the right
way to collect--a way that would bc
consistent with high principles-is 10
determine just claims, then the method
iGGd possibility of payment, not to as
certain what Germany has that can be
taken. and then parcel it out.
! There are no differences between
tba view Of President Wilson and tn
allied prcmers regarding the wrongs
done by Germany. The only possible
difference is regarding the method and
scale of payment.
Determined On League.
1t is known that the president is
determined an agreement for estab-
lishment of the league of nations shat
be embodied in the treaty, for the rea-
son that the treaty would be valueless
were the league left to subsequent con-
ferences.
The president is also known to be con-
vinced that there must be a clear def.
milton Of freedom Of the seas, which
pivots on the league OF nations Ho
docs not intend there shall be any law
less freedom of the seas, or exposure
Of any nation to its enemies because
the league could close the seas for en-
forctment of international covenants
Judgment is reserved by some govern
ments on this question, but the Ameri-
can delegates expect all doubts to be
clarified through discussion.
Reduction of Armaments.
A decision also is expected to be
reached concerning reduction and ap.
portionment of armaments both on land
, and sea, making it unnecessary for
/ America 70 build vast navy. 1t Is
believed that American public opinion,
! which is expected to favor construc-