Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-21
ALLIES AWAIT j. S.
DETERM|NAT|0N0N
. FREEDOM OF SEAS
Limitation of Navies to Light
Armored Vessels
Finds Favor.
PRESIDENT DISCUSSES
PLANS WITH DELEGATES
Preliminary Peace Conference at
Versailles Postponed Until
Early in February.
Ey the Associated Press.

PARIS, December 2l.- President
Wilson and the American delegates
lad day of few interruptions before
them in which to study in a prelimi-
nary way various plans which have
been proposed for carrying out details
of Mr.. Wilson's program.
Apparently the other powers are
looking to the United States to bring
forth n concrete proposition concern
ing freedom of the seas. Probably the
American delegation has not agreed
upon any one of the many suggested
plans having this question in view
but there is reason to believe that the
proposed limitation OF construction OF
laval craft to lightly arr1cred YES
sells, like revenue cutters, whose sole
purpose would be to protect merchant
shipping. finds favor. Advocates OF
this plan say there would be no fur
tner use for heavily armed ships if all
nations were placed on an equal foot
ing by this means.
In answer to the British plea that
She requires a great navy to defend
her colonies, advocates of the plan of
limiting construction say that, with
no strong enemy of the sea, England
would not require great fleet. as she
could protect her distant possessions
by troops transported on armed trans
ports.
This, however, is only one of the
plans advanced to open the discussion
and develop the views of other pow
ers.
Delay in formulating plans for the
procedure of the peace conference Is
causing uneaSineSS among American
oil har itrU rnrrpGnOndpDtS
are eagerly awaiting definite an
nouncements as to whether open SeS-
sions will be held and whether the
censorship will be relaxed as to news
of non-military character.
Preliminary Conference Postponed.
The preliminary peace conference at
Versailles has been postponed until
the beginning of February, at the
earliest. says Marcel Hutin, editor of
the Echo de Paris. This postponement
is due he says, to changes in plans
because of President Wilson's visit to
England and the reconstruction of the
Bri,ISh cabinet, which Will occupy
Premier Lloyd George as soon as the
result of the elections is announced
December 2S
Preliminary exchanges, which were
to begin in Paris today, according TO
original plans, have also been de-
ferred.
Plans have been perfected for the
American correspondents to make a
trip through the battle zone during
the Christmas holidays. Chaumont
and Tours will be among the points
visited
Romanones Sees President.
Count Romanones, the Spanish pre-
mier. was in conference for half an
hour with President Wilson last
evening. 1t is reported that the pre-
mier invited the President to visit
Spain. but no official announcement
as to Mr. Wilson's reply has been
made.
Premier C1emenceau also conferred
with the President during the even
Ing. being at the Murat residence
from 9 to $50 o'clock.
The Sorbonne will confer an honor
ary degree on the President late this
afternoon.
Presidents Itinerary in England.
The outlines of President Wilson's
itinerary during his visit to England
were announced today.
On the day of his arrival in England
Thursday, December 26, the President
will dine with King George. For Fri
dav, the 27th, dinner at the Guild
hall is on the program. On Saturday
the President will go to Manchester
and on Sunday he will attend church
at Carlisle, his mothers birthplace
Returning thence to London he will
leave for France at noon Monday. De-
cember 80.
The Presidents immediate party will
include Admiral and Mrs. Grayson
Miss Edith Benham. secretary to MrN
Wilson, and a military aid. whose
name has not been announced.