Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-21
TOOK
OPEN MIND ABROAD
Makes Position Clear as to
Application of His Four
teen Points.
PEACE TABLE GOSSIP RIFE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Evening POSt.)
PARIS, December 20.-In his nego-
tiations with the principal statesmen
of Europe President Wilson has adopt
ed the policy Of making it clear that
he has an open mind on the practical
application of each of his fourteen
principles as basis of peace. He has
purposely denied the newspaper state
ment that he was definitely committed
to the plan of the American branch of
the League to Enforce Peace in order
to emphasize that he did not come to
Europe with mind closed to discus
sion.
AS matter of fact, al of the allies
have something more than a simple
statement of the fourteen points 10
guide them, because prior to sending
the final notes, accepting Mr.. Wilson's
proposal in regard to an armistice
with Germany, the official heads of
Great Britain, France and Italy were
given an opportunity to ask the
meaning of each article.
Memorandum Transmitted.
A lengthy memorandum interpret
ing the fourteen principles was trans
mitted to them by Col. House
with the approval of the President.
All were agreed to with the excep-
tion of two points, so that it may be
said that if the allies had intended to
deviate from the fourteen principles
every opportunity was given to them
before they sent the final notes to
Mr.. Wilson which led to the armiS-
tice.
One can hear many interesting bits
Of gossip here and read many express
SionS of opinion by influential fndi-
viduals which indicate a desire to
make peace along lines differing radi-
cally from the fourteen points, but
no official of any belligerent govern
ment has so expressed himself. Indeed
the attitude of President Wilson and
the American delegation seems to be
TO assume that the acceptance on the
part of the belligerentS of the prfn-
ciples laid down in the correspond
ence was literal, and to view sug-
gestions that our allies digress funda-
mentally therefrom as merely the
wokr of trouble makers and propa-
gandists who are trying to give the
impression that the great free gov
ernments associated with America
would go back on their pledged
words.
Much Room for Discussion.
There is nevertheless much room for
discussion in regard to the exact
working of our main principles and
the President has revealed in in
formal conference thus far his sim
cere desire to compare his mind with
mine by common council the best for
mulas for peace. This is especially
true with respect to the league of
nations, the removal Of economic
barriers and the freedom of the seas.
though all know that every formula
must stand the acid test of secur-
ing absolutely the object previously
enunciated.
1t begins to be apparent that Mr..
Wilson firmly believes that the peace
questions which all nations have in
common, such as a league of nations
and their attitude toward future
wars, postponing until later the eff
and consideration of numerous claims.
Territorial Questions Active.
Nevertheless. one Encounters much
discussion at the headquarters of
torial questions. Admittedly, the claims
ones, with prospect of recession sub
Sequently.
Paris resembles closely the scenes
at an American political convention.
There is none of the open booming
of individual claims. but much ear
nest argument is going on under
meath the surface in an effort to can
vass and marshal strength ultimately
at the peace table on individual
propositions.
The American delegation is just
getting organized. Much confusion
is natural in erecting structure of
such Importance and housing the
hundreds of officials. attaches and
clerks Mr.. Wilson is taking a per-
sonal interest in many details of the
American organization, and is eager
to see that the American correspond
entS have an uninterrupted channel
back to America for all news. The
British and French governments
have formally promised that there
shall be no censorship of any sort on
outgoing news or comment on the
peace parleys because, although they
have a right to put in force such re-
strictions, the fact that the American
delegation agreed that the conference
should meet in belligerent rather
than in neutral territory in effort
neutralizes Paris in it's means of
communication to every participant
ing people.
Official Interviews Given.