The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-12-19
]. S. MAY ASK THAT
SHIPS Be SUNK To
SETTLE ALL DISPUTES

Paris. Dec. is.-The American dele
gates to the peace congress have re-
solved to advocate the sinking Of the
surrendered enemy warships and re-
sist any proposition TO distribute them
on the basis of naval losses. This an
nouncement is made by those in close
touch with the American representa-
tives. who, it is added feel that such
a position would result in avoiding
contention and materially support the
Presidents declaration that the war
was not based on aggression or the ac-
QUESTION Of property.
| England through Sir Eric Geddes,
first lord of the admiralty, had pre-
viously acquiesced in the American
plan to destroy the captured or sur
rendered warships, and. il is declar-
ed, will continue to support the u. s.
although il is expected that some of
the lesser naval powers will demand
that the prizes be distributed.
After four days Of gathering views
of leaders in France President Wilson
and his closest advisers say there is
no reason to change the belief that
the foundation Of league of nations
is inseparable from the actual peace
treaty itself.
These advisers say that the presi-
dent in explaining his definition Of
"the freedom of the seas" will reas-
sure Premier Lloyd George that he
has no intention Of demanding a re-
duction Of the British navy to a point
of involving the unsafety of the en-
pire, but will emphasize his feeling
that the plan of the league will make
the empire stronger.
King Victor Emmanuel, who is ex-
pected to arrive on Thursday, already
has been fully advised of the presi-
dents plans through conferences with
Count Di Cellere. Italian ambassador
TO the United States, but the president
bwill take the opportunity to make per-
sonal explanations to the congrega-
tion and also to make clear his friend
liness toward Italy.
The hope is expressed by those sur
rounding the president that the ex.
changes of views will clear away any
partial misunderstanding which may
exist in respect to Mr.. Wilson's atti-
tude and prepare the way for the as
semblage of the conference with COM
plexities removed, so that it will be
ready to deal with principles and any
outstanding differences of opinion that
remain.
(; In all his conferences the president
has taken opportunity to impress his
views. it is said, by those who are au-
thorized to speak for him, that no one
nation is entitled to assume the right
of master or dictate the manner or
the conditions of the representations
of others.
| There is some indication that con-
siderable headway is being made In
this direction and that the members
of the American delegation see their
way clear. All express the conviction
that delegates will enter the confer
ence in spirit of accommodation.
Some undercurrents are interpret
ed as showing indications of regret be-
cause the acceptance of President Will
sons points in general way prevent
ed some nations from achieving their
own objects which might have been
gained if Germanys collapse had been
made even more complete. In reply
it has been made plain to those with
whom the president conferred that the
United States government does not
consider the war a victory of AZ ms
alone, and that victory would be in
complete without an organization of
nations to guarantee world peace.
Everybody is waiting with great in
terest to see how Lloyd George and
President Wilson get along together.
There ismuch speculation as how the
conceded victory in the British elec-
tions will affect the point of view of
the British prime minister.
1t is a coincidence, incidentally, hat
Republican leaders in United States
have been arguing for almost identic-
ally the same position as has been un-
derstood to be that of England.
Our American congressional leaders
do not intend the slightest embarrass-
ment but are unaware that Mr.. Will
son is confronted every now and then
with a statement from some of the
Republican leaders who are in con-
troll in congress in disagreement with
his own point of view.
It is indeed unfortunate that the
Republican majority in congress has
nobody of their number on the ground
to keep them advised Of the many cur.
rents of the situation.
Paris today is really the capital OF
the world, where American industry
and labor, the farmer and the consum-
er, will have their economic destiny
settled by alignments growing out OF
the present gathering Of the politica
powers of all nations.