Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-20
EmmanuePs Statesmen Ex-
plain to Sympathetic
u. S. Executive.
ITALIAN KING CALLS
AT MURAT RESIDENCE
Extends an Invitation to Mr.. and
Mrs. Wilson to Visit the
Quirinal.
By the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press.
PARIS, December 20.-President
Wilson spent the most of today confer
ring with Italian statesmen and consid-
ering the claims that Italy will lay be-
fore the peace conference.
Early in the day Mr.. Wilson con-
| ferred for some time with Premier
Orlando and Foreign Minister Sonnino
of Italy, who explained in detail their
country's ambitions. The President
has expressed warmest sympathy
with Italy's aspirations. but has not
committed himself fully as to his
views.
After the conference Mr.. Wilson
spent some time in going over mate
rial presented and comparing it with
data collected by Col Z. NJ. House.
who spent some time in attempting
to determine what. in his opinion.
should be Italy's legitimate claim. Mr..
/ Wilson frankly told Premier Orlando
and Baron Sonnino that he did not
know what Italy should receive, but
/ added that he intended to support ac-
! ton that would be just.
! Reception to Diplomats.
| The program for the day also in
cluded a reception at the Murat res
! idence of the ambassadors and minis
ters accredited to France. The cere-
mony-one of the most colorful and
! dignitied to take place during MIR.
! Wilson's visit to Paris-waS sched-
uled to begin at pm.
! The majority of the members OF the
large diplomatic corps here had never
met the resident, and all were eager
| to greet him personally.
While the diplomatic corps was
| being received committee from the
French senate waited to formally
welcome the President to France and
| give expression to the cordial senti-
mentS and bonds of friendship be-
this engagement a previously ar
ranged luncheon with Stephen Pichoh,
foreign minister, was Cancelled.
Paris took another holiday today be-
cause of the arrival Of King EN-.
| manuel and his son, the Prince Of
Piedmont. The reception given the
Italian sovereign was not as large as
that which marked the arrival of Mr..
Wilson, but II was fully as enthusias-
| tic.
Cordially at Meeting.
The cordiaIity shown at the meeting
| between Mr.. Wilson and King Victor
, Emmanuel yesterday was a subject
| of much comment by those who were
present. The President had been some-
| what concerned as to the event, not
knowing that the Italian king speaks
English. After the exchange Of
greetings the two statesmen came to
a mutual understanding, and during
| their conversation they could be seen
| to be smiling and gesticulating in thu
most friendly manner.
! Last evening the Italian king paid
a visit to President Wilson at the
Murat mansion. 1t had been expected
I that Victor Emmanuel and President
| Wilson would meet for the first time
! at the luncheon to be given in honor
of the king by Stephen Pichon, the
French foreign minister. today. and
that they would again come together.
and possibly find time for conversa-
ton. at a dinner to De given at the
Italian embassy by the king to the
! President this evening.
Held Hours Conversation.
The visit of the king took place at
6 o'clock The conversation between
the monarch and the President, which
is said to have been most cordial. last
cd half an hour. Premier Orlando and
! Foreign Minister Sonnino will meet
/ President Wilson at II o'clock this
During the kings visit1to the Murat
! mansion, In dnulllOli " ASSi-
dent wilson and Mrs. Wilson to visit
italy he also extended the invitation
to Miss Margaret Wilson, daughter OF
the President. Speaking to a group
which surrounded him this afternoon,
| King Victor Emmanuel said that be-
sides coming to Paris to visit the
French people and government he
was very glad to be able personally
and officially to invite President VIII
son to be his guest at the Quirinai.
ha haan rpnIeEted by
Queen Helena to extend the Same IN
vitation to Mrs. Wilson.
1t is probable that members Of the
American peace delegation VIII hold
informal conferences with Premier
| Orlando and Baron Sonnino for the
purpose of gaining personal knowl-
edge of their views, which have been
explained in preliminary way oy
Count di Cellere, Italian ambassador
at Washington. This will go far
toward laying the groundwork for
consideration and determination OF
ItaIy's claims in actual conferences
later.
Have Accomplished Much
Mr.. wilson's first week in France
| Is drawing to a close, with his ad-
visers feeling that much has been ac-
comnIished in a preliminary way
toward establishing personal relations
with statesmen with whom the Amer
ican delegation will have to deal Or.
ganization is now appearing out OF
the confusion which prevailed during
the first few days after the Presi-
dant.s arrival Various sections OF
the American mission are settling
dnwn to the work which must be done
hefore the early part of January. when
tba f,rst sessions of the peace confer
ence are to be held.
Count Romanones. the Spanish pre-
nier. arrived in Paris today. He
cornes for conferences with President
Wilson and representatives OF tho
allies
Peace Conference Plans
The opening meeting OF the inter
oIlied conference will be confined to
representatives of the allies and tho
RATED States, who will arrange
common basis of action for the for
nal sessions of the peace conrress.
which will open toward the middle
or latter part OF January.
II is expected that the German
DELEGATES then will be present for the
irst time. 1t Is pointed out that AZ
this IS not a negotiated peace. but a
victorious peace based on virtual un-
conditional surrender, in which the
enemy has been compelled to give ap
all demanded, the main purpose OF
the preliminary conference beginntng