Evening journal., 1918-12-06
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1918.
SHIFTING THE SCENES AND SETTING THE STAGE


the time for the peace conference grows nearer II
"A becomes more and more apparent that whatever
terms are finally agreed upon Mr.. Wilson VIII claim
credit for rst advancing them and for Insisting on their
adoption The famous original fourteen principles OF
peace forth by the President n January last have
undergone years inspection and criticism on both sides
Of the water The result Is that they now bear little
resemblance TO their original form.
Term insists on "open covenants of peace" But we
are informed that Mr. Wilson goes TO Europe for the
purpose Of holding star chamber meetings with the
three premiers TO decide on the essential points OF the
treaty
Term 2 for the freedom OF the in peace and In
war has met with determined opposition abroad ana
has no hope OF adoption outlined by the President
Term for the removal Of economic barriers. hope
will meet with little favor from allied diplomats, who
win insist on their right to impose what restrictions
they please on goods from Germany or any other eoun
try
Term g. for the reduction armaments is subject to
the most varied interpretations.
Terms to is have to with political reorganzatons
In Europe upon which the President win ind shat he
will WELD little influence
Term ii deals with the proposed league OF nations
Determined opposition such dealistic attempt at
permanent peace at the cost Of surrendering our own
sovereignty. developing in many quarters and even
Mr. Wilson Is reported TO have changed his mind on the
subject.
But In spite OF the fact that Mr Wilson'S Ideals nave
been TO use his own expression former occasion,
sknocked into cooked hat" the public is being fed by
Inspired press correspondents In Paris stories OF how
the Presidents terms gradually being accepted by
the allied countries
studied effort is foot to create the impression In
this country that the atmosphere at Versailles Is sur
charged with Wilson; that the premers OF England,
France and Italy all at the essentials OF peace
and that they sending s. o. S. calls to the United
States for Wilson hurry and sraghten things ort
All this is but preliminary to the big show the stage
for which is being set France by Creels assistants,
ready for the of the vexaous peace prob
lens the moment Mr. Wilson takes his seat at the green
table and assumes the role Of drectorn-chef OF the
proceedings.
Each morning at the breakfast table the American
voter will be regaed by reading the press reports OF the
peace progress the day before Mr. Wilson proposed
this and that after animated discussion among the
other delegates his suggestion was adopted or Mr.
Wilson noting growing difference Of opinion among
his colleagues came forward with compromise plan
that was hailed by the ether peace commissioners as
happy solution OF the difficulty" That is the style OF
creesms that will find their way the Burlesonized
cables from the Mr. Wilson sets foot in fair France
But early in November the President discovered that
he could not fool the public all Of the Time In spite OF
present elaborate camouage preparations he viii ind
again 1920 that the American people are canny lot