Omaha daily bee., 1918-11-12

The armistices which have termin-
ated actual hostilities with the CEN
trail powers. beyond general refer
ences to peace settlements and guar
antees for the performance of any
condition that may be dictated by
the victors, did not contain any pro-
vision for the assemblage of peace
delegates.
Go to Task at Once.
Consequently, it is believed that
the diplomatic agencies will proceed
to that task at once. leaving the mil
itary agencies to deal with such
questions. as rehabilitation of the
later enemy forces; extension of i'm
mediate relief to the distressed civil
ian inhabitants. not only of evacu-
ated territory. but even of the CEN
trail powers, and disposition of the
vast stores of war material, of war
ships and naval stores. and finally
of the closure OF munitions plants in
the enemy countries, will proceed
Immediately with the plans for the
peace conference.
Must Convert War Plants.
There is every reason for holding
the gathering as soon as stable gov
ernments can be set up~by the GEN.
trail powers to succeed ousted autoc-
racies. Vast business interests are
held in suspense until it is deter
mined what is to be the future.
Aside from other and urgent
reasons, great industrial plants used
for war purposes must again be con-
verified to the manufacture of staple
commodities, and arrangements
made for the return to civil life and
employment of the millions of
soldiers lately engaged in war.
In order to insure a continuation
of the harmony which has charac-
terized all of the diplomatic and
military relations of the entente
powers and America, it is expected
that the delegates of these countries
will get together first in private con-
ferences, in order to frame their own
PROGRAMS before any effort is made
to assemble aformal peace confer
ence. Delegates from the central
powers will join the gathering,
when it comes, under severe restric-
tons.
United States Terms to Rule.
Their governments already have
solemnly engaged to be bound by
the IA peace terms and other condi-
tons laid down by President Will
son, and their activities probably
must be limited to efforts to induce
the other delegates to accept Ger
manic construction of the exact
meaning of these terms. Couched
as they were in general language.
there is opportunity for genuine dit
ferences of opinion as to some OF
the details.
But one fact must be borne il
mind. In case of any real issue be-
tween the delegations the decisions
Of the delegates of the allies and
America must prevail; the represen-
tatives of the defeated powers may
plead and argue but they must SUBJ
nit for the simple reason the people
for whom they speak are bereft OF
any military or naval resources with
which to renew the war or to offer
any physical resistance.
Greatest in History.
The coming great peace confer
ende will surpass any in history; not
only because of the tremendous i'm
portance of the issues with which it
must deal, but also literally in size.
Indications are that the United
States government will be represent
ed by at least half dozen princi-
pals, with numerous body of secre-
taries, counselors. translators and
clerks, and it is assumed that even
the smallest OF the nations which
will participate will seek to make a