New-York tribune., 1918-11-27
u. S. Holds 1t Is Chief Ideal
and Should Precede
Territory Aims
Finding Favor i'm
France and Britain
Another Element Insists ON
Land Division First to
Release Armies

PARIS, Nov. 26 (By The Associated
rress).--A league of nations is likely
to figure before the peace conference
at a very early stage of the proceed
ings, instead of being relegated to the
close, after the territorial aspirations
o. the various powers are settled.
Two distinct viewpoints have now
developed on this subjeot The Ameri-
can view is that the coming congress
will not be like the Vienna Congress,
which devoted itself principally to ar
ranging what eacn power should re-
ceive as result of the Napoleonic up
heaval. According to the American
view, the present war was based on
certain high ideals and was not a
struggle for territorial gains
League Among Chief Aims
Therefore, it is maintained, ideals
should come before territorial aspira-
tions in the deliberations of the con-
gress, and these ideals having been
first defined, should thereafter be the
main guide in national aspirations.
One of the chief If these ideals, it is
pointed out, was to prevent future
warfare, and league of nations has
been generally and officially accepted
as the most practical organization for
accomplishing that ideal. 1t is, there
fore, held that this should be one of
the first subjects considered, and
should set standard of ideals for
other subjects following.
United States Idea Finds Favor
1t car be said that this American
view of procedure has found warm 70
porters in England and France, tho .ch
there is also another viewpoint, waich
clings to the old procedure under the
Vienna Congress, whereby individual
aspirations for territory should have
first consideration.
Those urging that territorial ques-
tons should come first say that it is
highly desirable to sign a peace treaty
embodying the essential details at the
earliest possible moment, so as to ter
inmate the official war period under
which troops are held for the duration
Of the war, and railroads, telegraphs
and other public utilities are similarly
affected until peace s declared. Ac-
co.ding to this view an early peace
agreement on essentials would release
the armies, including the American
troops holding the occupied regions.
Old Vienna Plan Favored
Having secured an early agreement
on territorial and other practical de-
tails, t is suggested, the larger gem
eral question, like tn. league of ma
uons could come up later for extended
discussion either by the peace confer
ence or separat, international con-
gress to formulate the working details
of the league
This view is chiefly held bv those
iayoring the old Vienna congress pro-
cedure Of individual claims first, while
1he American viewpoint is distinctly
favorable to establishing ideals first as
the guiding principle Of he congress.
The appointment of the Brazilian
delegates, Milo pecanha, the Foreign
Minister, and Rug Barbosa, Ambas-
sador to Argentina, is leading to dis
cussion as TO what extent the South
american countries will support a
league Of nations and the effect Of the
sagpe on the Monroe Doctrine.
Would Extend Monroe Doctrine
1t is the general understanding that
Inc South American republics have the
same favorable attitude toward q
league as the Allies.
Whether a leageu of nations, in
which Europe would be largely repre-
Sea'ed' would extend its authority to
the Western Hemisphere, including
south, Central and North America, is
not clear, but the prevailing view is
mat It's authority would be universal.
A. Is said that this would not be
substitution OF the leagues authority
lor the M"nroe Doctrine in South
american affairs, but rather an extern
SION Of the Monroe Doctrine, whereby
Joint international action would SUD-
plement and reinforce the Monroe Doc
trine
When the American delegates and
sneir stafs Of specialists arrive in
raris for the peace congress they will
nnd a complete chanceilery organ
zed for them. This is being arranged
asder the direction OF Joseph C. Grew
''rmer counselor Of the American