The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-13
FIRST ACTUAL BIG
PEACE CONFERENCE
HELD IN CAPITAL
CONTINUED From First Page,

CONTINUED From First Page.l
"
the best ideas Of the American dele.
CATION. These men have not finished
their work and unless the president,
without consultation, has prepared a
plan which he Is willing to put for
ward as that Of the United States,
there Is now 10 such thing as a def
nitely accepted plan.
Naturally those studying the prob
lens u to the proceedings of The
Hague conferences, particularly the
second, and 1t probably Will be found
"heh the present peace congress gets
under way, that a great deal Of me
structure OF that conference will be
utilized, 1t is probable that with Hhis
VIII hes coupled the plan of William j.
Bryan, calling for a years investiga-
tlon Of disputes before a declaration
or war. This latter feature is one Of
The very definite things that Presi-
dent, Wilson is understood to have in
mind.
American international lawyers are
convinced that the great battle Of wits
wlH come in the discussion Of what
ever machinery Is proposed to lessen
he probability of war. Not all Of
them believe that the results of this
peace congress will make war impossi-
Die but they are sangulne that 1t will
make armed conflicts more difficult.
Their principal concern is that the
structure Of the agreement, whether II
is called - league Of nations or some
Thing else, shall not be framed like The
Hague conventions, In qualifying
phrases Gin popular terminology loop
holcs') which would undermine the
whole structure.
President Wilson and his commission
ers are working on the theory that
Great Britain, France, Italy and the
rest Of the world want some new ma
Chlnefy which will prevent war. Upon
such a determination they are funda-
mentally agreed. The business of the
conversations which begin today is to
find a common ground upon which all
car unite for such a purpose.
VI was reported some time ago that
the most that was hoped for before Mr..
Wilson'S return to the United States is
a, general agreement on broad %princi-
PIES, There, Is no reason now to
change that forecast.
America has informed the allied gov
ernments. according to the Temps. that
II Is ready to send an American expe-
dictionary corps to Poland, This force,
the newspaper statesY@would be able 10
at least double the support given bv
two Polish divisions to be sent from
the western front and enable the Poles
to VIGOROUSLY resist the Bolsheyists."
In discussing yesterdays meeting Of
the supreme interallied council, the
Temps says that while the conditions
TO be aid down for the renewal of the
armistice between the allies and Ger
many were the subject Of most of tho
discussion, the sending Of military as.
SlStance to Poland was also taken up.
IN an editorial on this subject the
newspaper says 1t considers 1t "indis-
p%ensable that the two Polish divisions
nov, in France should be sent to Po-
land and be supported by a certain
number of allied detachments which
would be able 10 occupy the railroad
from patzig to Thorn, thus maintain
ing communications with the west"
inc supreme council of the peace
congress, consisting OF President WI
son and the premiers and foreign min
lsters OF the fOur great powers, Great
Britain. France, the United States and
Italy, met at 3 O'Clock yesterday after
room at the French foreign. office for
the first formal exchange OF views.
sundays meeting was chiefly inter
estng In Its personal aspects-the
bringing together for the first time in
contact Of the worlds best known
statesmen, who are the guiding flgures
OF the congress-, The scene as they as
aembled was one of unusual activity.
The day was dark and raw and the
statesmen arrived al the meeting place
IN heavy wraps. The usual Sunday
calm across the Seine was interrupted
BY the great crowds which lined the
u"i- "a VI bhN uilAlbuS 10 pay tribute
to the notable figures. Batteries OF
photographers and moving picture ex-
ports were drawn up thanking the an
frances of the foreign ministry. Lines
OF soldiers and other guards preserved
order.
Marshal Foch was the first to arrive.
He came at . o'clock, and finding him
self In the a Of the delegates he
waited In the vestibule. Tho general
iSslmo was dressed Ia a very heavy
field coat. lie wore boots with spurs,
on his uniform he displayed the in
of his rank.
Soon after Foeh came Robert Lans-
ing, American secretary OF state, nc
was followed by Mr., Frazer, counsellor
Of the American embassy, who Is now
attached to the person Of Col. House.
AT just 2:45 pm, President Wilson's
limousine swung UP to the entrance.
The president was accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson.