Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-11
PEACE CONGRESS
AT EARLY DATE
Permanent Settlement of
Wars Vast Issues to
Be Speeded
DIPLOMATS FACE TASK
Reorganization of Govern
ments and Worlds Business
Permit No Delay


washington. Nov. Ii.--with tie grant
ing OF the armistice 20 the beaten Ger
man armies By Marshal Foch the next
step will be the arrangement for the
meeting OF the peace conference which
will endeavor 20 reach IL permanent set
tlement Of the vast issues arising from
the great world war.
Beginning in August, 1914, yno.o than
four and half years oc Incredibly
bloody strife have developed problems
that may not be permanent" adjusted
for a generation.
The armistices which have terminated
actual hostilties with the Central Pow
ers. beyond general reference TO peace
settlements and guarantees Cor the pei
formsnce OF any condition that may lie
dictated b. tho vlctors. did not contain
any provision. for the esseTo olage Of
peace delegates. Consequently X is be-
ieved the diplomatic agencies viii pro-
coed 10 that task II once. leaving the
military agencies to deal with such ques-
tions as demobili1ation of the late enemy
forces extension OF immediate relle: TO
the distressed civilian inhabitants, rot
only OF evacua ted territory, but even Ot
the Central Powers where there is gen
eTal distress. and disposition Of the vast
stores OF war material, OF war5hips and
naval stores. and finally OF the closure
OF munitions plants in the enemy coun-
tries will proceed Immediately with the
plans for tho peace conference.
Demand for Early Conference
There is every reason for holding the
gathering as soon rs stable Governments
can be set UP in the Central Powers
to succeed ousted autocracies Vast
business interests are held in n state OF
suspense until il is determined what IS
to be the future. Aside from other and
urgent reasons. great Industrial plants
used for war purposes must again be
converted 20 the manufacture OF staple
commodities. and arrangements made for
the return 10 civil life and e:nployn en-,
Of the millions OF soldiers lately en-
gagged in war.
In order TO insure IL continuation OF
the harmony which has characterized all
OF the diplomatic and military relations
OF the Entente Powers and America. and
to present a united front IN the peace
conference against their late enemies,
/ II IL expected that the delegates Of these
/ countries will get together first IN pri-
| vate conference. in order to frame their
| own program before any effort Is made
to assemble a formal peace conference.
| Delegates from the Central Powers will
| join the gathering. when Il comes,
| under severe restrictions. Their Govern
ments already have soienlnly engaged
10 be bound by the fourteen peace terms
ana other conditions laid down bJ' Pres.-
dent Wilson. and their activities prob
| ably must be limited to efforts 70 in
duce tho other delegates 10 accept Ger
! manic construction of the exact mean
ing of these terms. Couched as they
were in genera! language there IA oppor-
tunity for genuine differences OF opinion
as TO some os the details
Decision of Allies Must Prevail
But ono fact must be borne in mina.
| In case OF any real issue between the
| delegations the decisions OF the dele
| gates OF the Allies and America must
prevail
The coming great peace conference
will surpass any in history: not only
because of the tremendous Importance
| OF the issues with which Il must deal.
but also literally in size, Indications
arc that the United States Government
will be represented by at least half q
uOSeu principals, Nitn a numerous DOLy
| OF secretaries, counselOrs, translators
| and clerks. and II is assumed that even
| the smallest Of the nations which will
participate will seek TO make Il show in
| point Of number Of delegates.
| This fact may involve the transaction
| OF most of the business OF the confer
encc by selected committees. whose re-
ports will come before the full confer
ence for ratification.
Switzerland as Place of Meeting
| As to the place OF meeting there IL
yet much doubt. with many claimants
for that honor.
Little Switzerland is believed tc' be q
strong favorite and there has been
some mention OF the beautiful town Of
Lausanne as an ideal meeting place, one
report being that American agents al
ready have quietly obtained hotel and
ether accommodations for the United
States delegates at that place.