New-York tribune., 1919-02-04
Venizelos Submits Claim
for Northern Epirus
and Asia Minor Shore
Americans Oppose
Mandatories Plan
United States Favored by
Others. However, as the
Guardian of Armenians

PARIS, FEB. 3 (By The Associated
ess).--President. Wilson presided at
the opening meeting of the league of
nations commission in Colonel Houses
apartments this Afternoon. 1t lasted
from 2 to ) o'clock
Special interest attached to the meet
ing ewing to the feeling that the action
Of the council on the matter of the
former German colonies REQUIRED the
carly presentation of e definite plan en-
the constitution of the league There
were present, for the United States,
President Wilson, Colonel House and
Mr. Miller, technical expert; for Great
Britain, Lord Robert Cecil ana Cen
eral SHUTS; for France, Leon Bourgeois
and Ferdinand Larnaude; for Italy,
Premier Orlando; for Japan. Baron
Chinda, and delegates from Belgium,
Serbia. Brazil, Portugal and China.
President Wilson greeted the mera-
bers and took leading part in the
discussion, which was specific, as the
meeting had before it the printed text
Of the agreed plan for the formation
: of the league. The text was in Eng
lish, as had been decided upon at
recent meeting between President Will
son, Lord Robert Cecil, General smuts
and Premier Orlando.
Debate to Start Tonight
AS some Of the members of the COM
mission do not speak English. it was
determined TO defer full discussion un-
til the French text could be presented.
when the debate will proceed article bv
article. This will probably be to-mor
row night
Although the agreed text seeks to
bring together the views OF all quar-
ters. there are three other plans which
Will also be considered at the next
meeting.
The question of society of nations
Will be the first presented to the pIe
nary conference as soon as the renort
OF the commission is ready AS this
commission includes representatives of
al the great powers and many of the
smaller ones, it is assumed that ap-
proval by the peace conference will be
assured in advance.
Little Divergence Develops
Todays meeting of this commission
afforded the members an opportunity
to express individual views on the gen
eral principles which should govern
the society. 1t is said that little di-
vcrgence in views developed, except as
to the measure Of force to be employed,
and it is believed this fact made appar-
ent the virtually unanimous agree
ment by the commission
While the plan presented to-day has
not been disclosed, it is said to have
been a combination of the British,
American and French ideas, and that it
does not into such detail as prohibit
ing the use Of the submarine in war
fare, freedom Of the seas, and like
SuDioNlS- l1OuRn IL 0OtS tOuGt GNOil litt
limitations OF armaments, naval as well
as military.
The following official communication
was issued on to-day's meeting:
"Thc commission met TO compare
views on procedure and TO arrive At
a method which will facilitate prog
ress. 1t was agreed that an accord
in principle had been reached by the
resolution previously passed by the
conference and that the discussion
should proceed accordingly at the
next meeting. which is called for
$50 O'Clock Tuesday evening at the
Hotel de Crillon."
Greek Claims Presented
Premier Venizelos of Greece was be-
fore the Supreme Council of the peace
conference at its session this morning
and made statement on the claims of
Greece.
These claims, as presented by Pre-
mier Nenizeos. who was accompanied by
Nicholas Politis, the Greek Foreign
Minister. embrace Northern Epirus,
Thrace. down the Dardanelles, includ~
ing Constantinople, and the sea front
along Western Asia Minor, with
Smyrna as its commercial and geo
graphical centre.
NJ. Nenizelos maintained that the
+ Greek race largely predominated in
these regions. This was go manifeA,
NJ Venizelos contended, particularly in
Northern Epirus. that he intimated his
Willingness to leave the question 20
plebiscte of the inhabitants Of the
various regions as the means OF deter
| mining the racial predominance.
Concerning Constantinople, the Greek
Premier maintained that if Ottoman