Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-11-12
PEACE CONFERENCE
WILL SURPASS ANY
IN WORLDS HISTORY
Not Only in Point of Importance
but Also in Size-Switzer-
land Is Strong Favorite for
Gathering

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-With the
granting of the armistice to Germany,
the next step will be the arrangements
for the meeting of the peace conferences.
The armistice, which has terminated
actual hostilities with the central pow
ers, beyond general references to peace
settlements and guarantees that may be
dictated by the victor, did not contain
any provision for the assemblage of
peace delegates. Consequently 1t is be-
lieved the diplomatic agencies will pro-
coed to that task at once, leaving the
military agencies to deal with such
questions as rehabilitation of the late
enemy forces: extension of immediate
relief TO the distressed civilian 1nhaDl-
tants, not only OF evacuated territory,
but even of the central powers, where
there is general distress, and dlsposi-
ton of the vast stores of war material
of warships and naval stores, ana nnal-
IL, of the closure of munitions plants
in the enemy countries.
There is every reason for holding the
gathering as soon as stable, govern
ments can be set up in the central pow
ers to succeed the ousted autocTacies.
Allies Will Confer First
1t is expected delegates of the United
States and the entente allied countries
will get together first in private confer
ence in order to frame their own pro-
gram before any effort is made to as
semble a formal peace conference.
The coming great peace conference
will surpaSs any in history; not only be-
cause of the tremendous Importance OF
the issues with which it must deal, but
also literally in size. Indications are
that the United States government, will
be represented by at least half q dozen
principals, with numerous body or sec
retaries, counsellors, tranSlators, clerks,
and it is assumed that even the smallest
of the nations which will participate
will seek to make show In point or
number of delegates.
This fact may involve the transaction
of most of the business of the confer
ence by selected committees, which VIII
represent in their composition every ele-
ment and whose reports will come before
the full conference for ratification.
AS TO the place of meeting there is as
vet much doubt, with many claimants
for that honor. While it has been urged
that the conference gather in some his
toric spot in France, objection may lie
against that proposition based on the
generally accepted view that such meet
ings should be held at a point where
they can be quite free from the charge
of any local influence; in other words, II
should be on neutral territory and even
unsuitable because of the pronounced
sympathy of the population with one
>' May Nest in Switzerland
Little Switzerland is believed to be
strong favorite and there has, been some
mention of the beautiful town of Laus-
anne as an ideal meeting place. one re-
port being that American agents already
have quietly obtained hotel and other
accommodations for the United States
delegates at that place, But nothing is
definitely known Of the location of the
meeting place. ~
That the entente premiers will head
their respective delegations is not
doubted here, and that conclusion has
led to, the conjecture that upon Secre-
tary LANSING may fall the honor of
leading the American delegation, which,
of course, probably will include Colonel
L. NJ House, if he cares to assume that
duty, and perhaps one or two of the
leading members of the senate and
house. This precedent was established
by President Mckinley in naming the
American delegates to the conference in
1898 which formally arranged peace
between America and Spain.