Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-02

"(D--Participation by the United
States In a meeting Of the supreme
war council held at Versailles, Dec. 1,
Of England, France,
Italy and the United States there as
q first step towards securing Unity Of
control of the armies on the western
front.
This meeting, the first of its kind.
assures for the future unity of sup
port on the part of the United States
and the allies.
"(5)--F'irst steps taken in the es-
Of more perfect liasion
between the commanding general Of
the United States and the allies.
Financial War Sinews.
FINANCE.
"n)-Full detailed conferences with
the financial representatives Of Great
Britain. France. Italy, Japan, Greece.
Rumania and Russia for the purpose
of ascertaining the extent OF the
financial effort necessary on the part
OF the United States In order properly,
to cooperate with these governments
in making financial arrangements for
the prosecution Of the war against
the central powers.
"G)-Conferences with the repre-
sentatives of the above mentioned
countries for the purpose Of perfect
ing the organization of an inter-allied
council which Is a priority board
whose duty it should be to consider
the relative importance and urgency
of the financial demands to be made
by the concerted effort of the coun-
tries waging war against the central
powers.
"(3)-Arrangements begun for the
proper financing of purchases by
the countries at war with Ger
many of supplies from neutral
countries.
"(4)-Participation in the financial
discussions Of the inter-allied confer
ence.
SHIPPING.
"n-Full and detailed reports were
secured showing total loss Of tonnage
due to war risks and marine risks
from Aug. 1, 1914, to Sept. 30, 1917.
"(2)-The estimated output of new
tonnage by the allies during the veal
1918 was ascertained.
"(3)-The proper employment of ex.
listing tonnage SO that the maximum
utilization Of such tonnage could b.
affected was provided for in q reso
luton adopted by the inter-allied con
ference:
1.-The allies, considering that tn,
means Of maritime transport at theil
disposal as well as the provision,
which they dispose of should be util
lied in common for the pursuit of tn,
war, have decided to create an inter
allied organization for the purpose o
co-ordinating their action to this eff
feet and Of establishing a common
program constantly kept up to date
enabling them by the maximum util
| ization of their resources to restric
their importatiOns with a view of lib
Grating the greatest amount of ton
mage possible for the transportation
Of American troops
| "N-The whole question of tn
employment of neutral tonnage in lin
with the proposals made by neutra
countries with respect to this tonnage
was exhaustively discussed and plan
| looking to the favorable result of ton
mage negotiations with neutral coun
tries were substantially agreed upon
"(5)-A survey was completed O
the ports of debarkation Of American
troops and supplies and plans wer
made looking to the more expedition
discharge of troops and cargoes so a
to permit the return Of vessels t
their home ports with the least pos
sible delay.
Trade During the War.
WAR TRADE.
"Q)-Full and detailed conference
were held with the British, Frenc
and Italian representatives upon block
ade matters and a complete under
standing was obtained of the princl
pies under which these countries wer
proceeding.
"(2)-A mass of information was OF
tanned with reference to rationing re
Quirements of Switzerland, Norwa,
Sweden, Denmark and Holland.
"(3)-An agreement between tn
war trade board and the Swiss societ
surveillance was agreed to and e.
ecuted by the Swiss delegates and Nj
Mccormick Of the war trade board.
"(4-Arrangements were made fc
the participation of the United State
in the deliberations Of the permaner
international commission on contins
ents sitting in Paris and on the intel
allied commission of Berne, Switzel
land.
| "(5)-Tentative plans subject to til
approval of the war trade board WEI
made for the appointment of represer
tatives and STATS Of the war trad
board In London and Paris.
1 WAR INDUSTRIES.
| "0)-A detailed study was made {