New-York tribune., 1918-12-21
Premier
Backs Wilson
League Plan
Venizelos Sees End of Sc
cret Treaties and Removal
of Greatest War Cause
By Wythe Williams
New York Tribune
Special Gable Service


Special Gable Service
~ Copyright. 1918. New York Tribune Inc.
PARIS, Dec. 20.-Allied diplomats,
especially the Americans, gathered
here for the peace struggle, are greatly
interested in statencnt made by
Premier Eleutherios Venizelos of
Greece. outlining a basis of peace on
which he believes the Allies can reach
agreement. The statement is all the
more interesting in view of Venizelos's
conference with President Wilson here
several days ago.
Many European diplomats, who have
had more than mere doubts beneath
1dealistic expressions of hopes. see in
THE statement y skeleton platform that
may become firm base of Allied un.
derstandlng, even on such many sided
propositions as the society of nations.
the freedom of the seas and the Bal
kans.
Stands Firm for League
Venizelos's firm declaration that the
peace conference must plan a society
of nations in one form or another is
largely commended, although there is
considerable difference of opinion be-
tween the American view that the
society should have executive and legis-
lative branches as we'll as judicial, in
cluding an armed force, and that out
lined by Lord Robert Cecil, which
would start the society in a modified
q ,1r.% 1c
only.
Venizelos inclnes to the broader
form, but says that any form would be
acceptable, as any form would go far
to prevent wars. He illustrated his
point by asking whether if Austria and
Serbia had been forced to submit their
differences to such a high court of ma
tons the present war would have oc-
Cured.
Freedom of Seas Plan
On the subject of freedom of the
seas it is considered that his plan is
logical and would have the effect, ii
adopted, of getting all diverse opinions
together and therefore out of the
quandary 1t is argued that nothing is
likely to persuade Great Britain to
give up her strong navy, but that if the
socle.T Of nations DEGREES that the right
of blockade and search be restricted
as against nations Infringing the rules
of the society, the British navy may
continue to exist without fear on the
part of any one
The most important point made by
Venlzelos is his plain statement that
the former secret trea lies between the
Allies would be abrogated by the ac-
ceptance at the Versailles conference
of President Wilson's fourteen points,
and that therefore the secret treaties
which have been the subject of so
much discussion would no longer exist.
This simple explanation seems to
many beacon light pointing to the
safe way out and proof that insur-
mountable barriers in arranging the
world according to the rights of free
nations do not exist.
Created Balkan Alliance
Recognized as the creator of the
Balkan Alliance and as one of the most
brilllent and high minded statesmen of
Europe, VeniZelos forces. by his domi-
nant personality, the earnest attention
OF all his confreres. In many official
quarters it is believed that he more
than any one else is likely to aid
American comprehension in shaping it
self to accord with the highest Euro
pean ideals in framing lasting treaty
Of peace.
Like Mr.. Wilson, Venizelos threw in
his lot with the Allies when their
cause was at its lowest ebb, at mo
ment when it looked as if. he had every
thlng to lose except his principles and
his self-respect. He never wavered in
the fight for liberty which will be his
fight at the peace table, with sufficien,
practical politics in his programme te
make his ideallsm work ont