Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-20
PLANS FOR.
PARLEyS s.
STILL ARE.
IN 7 HE AIR.
Wilson Said to Be Satisfied
French and British People
Are in Accord With His
Peace Principles.

Paris, Dec. l9.-Definite plans
for the peace conference are not
shaping as rapidly as some of the
American commissioners expected.
Meanwhile, President Wilson is
taking advantage of the opportun-
ity to assess public opinion in
France and incidentally in Great
Britain. His advisers say that he
is entirely satisfied that these peo-
pies are largely in accord with the
principles lie has announced as
necessary to a durable peace.
The members of the American
are spending their time be-
fore the peace delegates from the
various countries actually assemble
in series of informal conferen-
ces, which eventually will include a
representative of each of the entente
belligerents. Neutral states will not
come into these discussions.
Making Peace First Task.
The feeling among all the en-
tente conferees is that the making
of peace should be the first
task, so that they may determine
upon the broad outlines of league
of nations, which later representa-
tives of neutral countries will assist
in completing.
While the American commits
sioners are holding these informal
exchanges which are designed to
clear up Emergencies OF opinion,
the president is constantly giving
the closest attention to immediate
problems. He is receiving reports
from the United States, from Amer
lean diplomatic agencies through
out the world and from the group of
investigators brought here for the
purpose of studying the many spe-
cial problems which will arise.
The president may change the
program of his movements while
awaiting the opening of the confer
cnce. 1t was not supposed until to-
day that he would visit England
before the new year, but he has
received urgent invitations to come
soon.
All Conferences in Paris.
American observers deduce from
the pressing invitation to the presi-
dent to come to England during
Christmas time that some confer
ences of the statesmen with the
president here would logically fol-
low. 1t is understood, however,
that the president favors the hold
ing of all conferences i'll Paris as
far as possible.
1t appears to be virtually settled
that all the actual peace conferen-
ces will be held in Paris and that
the informal exchanges, which will
lay the groundwork for the final
deliberations, also will be carried
on here.
1t is Thought that the president
may try to crowd his visit to Bel
gium into the time preceding the
conference.
Favor Open Sessions.
There is still much uncertainty
.. the sessions of the Yer
sailles conference will be open to
the public or be secret.
The general opinion inclines 10
the view that the conference may he
modelled after the procedure of the
United States senate where the for
nign relations committee considers
affairs secretly and
ater reports to the whole body.
1t is asserted that President Will
son still holds to the view that it
would be preferable for him not 20
sit at the peace table. This prefer
,nce it was said today was connect
ed in a measure with divergence Of
opinion among the entente missions
As to the number of persons who
should represent each of the nations.
It is understood that Great Britain
IS pressing for five members from
each nation and in addition is con-
sidering the claims of her own col