Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-20
WILSON CONFERS
WITH ITALY'S HEADS
ON PEACE CLAIMS
Assures Premier Orlando He VIII
Support Whatever is Just; Host
to Diplomats Today.
TO LONDON, DECEMBER rs
~ Associated Press 70 Every Fveninr

BY Associated Press 70 EY>vT Evening
Paris, Dec. 20-Prezident Wilson
spent most Of today conferring with
Italian statesmen and considering the
claims that Italy viii lay before the
peace conference.
Paris took another holiday today be-
cause of the arrival Of King Victor
Emmanuel and his son, toe Prince OF
Piedmont. The reception gwen tho
Italian sovereign was not 81 large az that
which marked the arrival Of Mr.. Wilson
but it was fully as enthusiastic.
The cordiality shown at the meeting
between Mr. Wilson and King Victor
Emmanuel Yesterday was q subject of
present. The President has been some
what concerned as TO the event, not know
ing that the Italian King speaks English.
After the exchange Of greetings the two
statesmen came 10 q mutual under
standing
Members of the American peace dele
CATION probably u1Il hold informal con-
ference with Premier Orlando ana Baron
Sonnino for the purpose Of gaming per
sonal knowledge 4 their views which
have been explained in . preliminary way
by Count di Cellerle, Italian Ambassador
st Washington. Thiz viii 20 far toward
laying the groundwork for consideration
and determination Of Italys claims IN
actual conferences later
Mr.. Wilson's first week IN France IS
drawing to a close with his advls rs feeling
that much has been accomplished II q
preliminary way toward establishing per-
sonal relations With statesmen with whom
the American delegation win have TO deal.
Organization is now appearing out Of the
confusion which prevailed during the first
few davs after the Presidents arrival.
Various sections of the American mission
are settling down TO the work which must
be done before the early part OF January,
when the first sessions OF the peace con-
ference are held.
Early in the day Mr. Wilson conferred
for some time with Premier Orlando
and Foreign Minister Sonnlno OF Italy,
who explained In detail their country's
ambitions. The President has expressed
warmest sympathy with Italys aspira-
tions, but has not committed himself
fully as 10 his views.
After the conference, Mr.. Wilson
spent some time N going over material
presented and compa ing It with data
collected By Colonel Z. NJ. House, who
has spent much time in attempting to
ucVeTIuI0e what, IN Ills cplflloli' o4iOulu pc
Italvs legi innate claims Mr. Wilson
frankly told Premier Orlando and Baron
Sonnino that ne did not know what
Italy should receive, but added that
he intended TO support whatever would
be just.
The program for today also included
a reception at the Murat residence of
the Ambassadors and Ministers accredit-
ed to France,
While the diplomatic corps was being
received, committee from the French
Senate waited TO welcome the President
formally to Frence. Because Of the
engagement a previously arranged lunch
con with Stephen Pichon, Foreign Min
inster, was cancelled.
Presiden. Wilson'S plans for visiting
London, while not vet positive, cor
template that he viii leave for England
next Thursday, Dee. %. He probably
will remain in England four days.
The President will start for London
immediately after he has Christmas din
ner with the American troops in the field
He will not return directly 10 Paris, but
il i expected he will visit the devastated
regions OF northern France and Belgium
He probably viii be back ii Paris about
January t, on the eve of his first meeting
OF the inter-alhed conference on Janury 6.