The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-19
President to Reassure the
British OH Freedom
of the Seas.
FOR STRONGER EMPIRE
Believes His Plan Is Not
Menace to Safety of
England.
CLEMENCEAU WON OVER
Will Back Idea in Principle at
Least at Preliminary
Meetings.
CLEMENCEAU WON OVER

PARIS. Dec. 1S.-President Wilson
after four days of gathering the
views Of leaders in France still be-
iieves that league Of nations Is in
tiispensable to the maintenance Of
peace. The President made this plain
today when he issued statement
denying q published story that he had
accepted n plan formulated by the
League to Enforce Peace.
1t was said here that former Presi-
dent, Taft personally submitted the
plan Of the League to Enforce Peace
to President Wilson, who considered
it as portion of the great mass OF
material which is being assembled on
the general subject. President VIII
son. his advisers insist, sees no rea-
son to change his belief tha; the
foundation of Il league of NATIONS is
inseparnble from the actual treaty Of
peace itself.
These advisers say that the President
in explaining his definition of The
freedom of the seas" will reassure
Premier Lloyd George that he has no
intention Of demanding reduction OF
the British navy to q point involving
the unsnfety of the empire, but will
emphasize his feeling that the plan
of league will strengthen the cnI-
pire.
1t also became known to-day tlAt
Premier Clemenceau bad been Won
over to the league of nations idea, in
principle ut least. and that the plan
is certain to be Incorporated in the
preliminary peace treaty.
The American delegates have re-
solved to advocate the sinking OF the
surrendered enemy warshlps and re-
sist any proposition to distribute
them on the basis of naval losses.
This announcement is made by those
in close touch with the American rep
resentatives. who. it is added, feel
that such position would result in
avoiding contention and materially
support President Wilson's declaYa-
tion that the war was not based on
aggression or the acquisition Of prop
erty.
Geddes Has IndOrned Idea
England. through Sir Eric Geddes.
First Lord Of the Admiralty, had pre-
viously acqulesced in the American
plan to destroy the captured or sur
rendered warships and, 1t Is declared.
| will continue TO support the United
States, although it Is expected that
! some of the lesser naval powers will
demand that the prizes be distributed
American naval stations will be
maintained for at least year ut
Brest, Gibraltar and in the Azores to
render aid to American merchant
ships. The consent of France, Eng.
land and Portugal already has been
secured. The aero and radio stations
Mt these points will he in readiness 10
! respond 10 calls for aid by American
shipping in distress and facilities will
be afforded for needed repairs and
! supplies.
| Although the plans have not been
developed, 1t is believed in naval cir
ces that the Shipping Board desires
the continuance of the manning of It's
ships with naval officers and crews
until private capital is organized 10
undertake the great task Of operating
/ thousands Of merchant vessels.
Reducing L. :. Naval stations.
The other naval establishments in
! Europe have been ordered abandoned
as rapidly as possible and progress
in this direction has been consider
able. The United StnteS Navy had
twenty-seven aero stations along the
| European coast, the material of
which. except at Brest, Gibraltar and
the Azores, is being shipped home.
! Naval transports relieved of carrying
munitions will hereafter convey food
supplies.
1t is expected that the army also
will soon he able to Use n number Of
its transports similarly on eastern
voyages.
Decentralization of the naval per-
sonnel has been ordered to proceed
rapidly on the hasis Of the transfer
to the reserve lists of men and Of
ficers Of good character and physique.
The needs of the new merchant ma
rinc, it Is calculated, will absorb as