The Sentinel=record., 1918-11-14

Washington, Nov. 13.-president
Wilson was said today to have given
no indication as to how he regards
the suggestion from high sources in
Europe that he attend the great con-
ference which is to establish the
peace OF a war torn world.
Most OF the presidents advisers,
however, are understood to consider
that acceptance OF the Invitations
would involve needless rick and would
serve no purpose that could not be
accomplished tbro,! n the delegates
who Will be appoint ed to represent
The American government and who
fSill be In constant communication
with Washington
Should the president decide to at
tend the eonlerence-and some Of
those Usually we'll Informed say he
has an open mind on the subject
that fact would not mean, in tie be-
lief here, that Secretary Lansing would
mot ile member of the American dele
cation. II was said that upon Mr.
i Lansing would fall much Of the weight
OF the heavy tasks connected with
American participation in the confer
ence, not only by virtue OF his hish
rank. but also because Of his wide
experience in other international con-
ferences aud ar3itrations.
Of Al hn
man foreign secretary. for a pTclim-
mary peace conference has not yet
reached Washington in official form,
| but il Is understood that there is 1T
tie probability of its acceptance. Such
! q conference is regarded here DIS un-
| necessary and as likely to uselessly
complieate the work ct the general
conference when i IS held
Os.ensioly Dr. Soils proposal is
based upon the urgent need OF Ger
many for Iood and other supplies, but
II is pointed out that these condi--
tons Win be dealt with 10y the Unit
ed States and the allies in advance
of the peace conference under the
general pledges contained in the
armistice and given by the supreme
war council at Versailles
Further assurance ON this subIest is
| given the German government by Sec
lretaTy Lansing. who in a noto hand
led today TO the Swiss minister IN
lreply to one from F'riederich Ebert,
the German chancellor. said-the pres
jident is ready to consider faroraDly
| the supplying of foodstuifs to Ger
many and to take up the matter with
the allied governments upon aSsur-
ances that pu6lic order will DC main
ltained in Germany and equitable dis
tribution OF the food is guaranteed
In some quarters it is suspected thai
Dr. Soils real purpose is to have the
preliminary conference dispose Of po-
litical matters, such as the future OF
1.-THE German colonies and trade rela
tions between the central powers and
the nations with which they had been
at war, in the hope Of being able thus
speedily TO re establish German for
eigD trade.
All of the old treaties of amly aul
commerce under which internationa
trade has 5een condEcted between the
warning nations automatically have
been DESTROYED by the war and 1t vii
be necessary to provide a Whole nco'
fabric of trade treaties.
The peace conference may signify
its own ideas az to how these shall DC
framed, but it will remain for the lit
: divdual nations to give these ideas
Icoucrete form in special treaties.
The supreme war council i'll Yer
saflles did more than consider th1
subject OF armistice and 1t Is nov
earned that for long time proceeding
II tie collapse of the central powers
much study and attention was giyer
to the srbject ct final peace in all o.
its ramifieations Therefore, whor
the peace conference meets it vii