Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-01-09
PEACE CONFERENCE GROUND WORK PLANS LAID BY STATESMEN
Wilson, Lloyd.George, Clemcnceau And Orlando Will Hold Separate Conference Later in Week.

Paris, Jan. S.-Many important questions concerning the arrange ments of the program for the peace conference, which have been in pro- cess of solution, probably will soon be adjusted as result of President Will sons return to Paris. The President now has personal knowledge of the views of some of the Premiers on these subjects and he has supplemented it by his observations during his trip to Italy.
 The President, during his trip to England and Italy kept in close touch with the members of the Amer ican peace delegation in Paris, it is evident from the expressions of off 'cials that the settlement of various matters will progress more rapidly from now on.
 The Presidents informal talk with Col. House Tuesday night dealt with the attitude of Premier Clemenceau and Lord Robert Cecil regarding a League of Nations. The conference gave the President fresh information concerning their views and today Col. House and Secretary Lansing confer- red with Lord Robert, who is the British authority on a League of Ma tions. So it may be regarded as cer- tain that the program is making prog ress and that in a few days, matters will be in shape for the first steps of the conference.
 In fact it is admitted that the first meetings between President Wilson T |, ,ic aiI hn iers may occur the end of this week. These conferences will be informal and will carry forward in a spirit of accommodation the discussions which have taken place during the ResI- dents absence between individuals of the various delegations and also be- tween various groups. The meetings are expected to develop great import ance later but at present it may be said that results of value have been reached and that the ground has been cleared for the beginning of the actual negotiations. The impending informal meetings between President Wilson and the entente Premiers will deal with subjects of fundamental 1mport- ance. It will be for these officials to arrange the program which will gov ern the peace congress itself, subject to approval when all the delegates formally gather The Japanese dele gates already here, have been partl- cipating in some phases of the discus sions between the groups it is assum- ed that they have. been consulted ln .ythe preparation of the program and Sthat they have outlined the treament of cerain issues in which they are particularly interested. It has been agreed that the first matter to be con- sidered at the meeting of President Wilson and the Premlers will be the representation to be accorded to the powers seeking participation in the peace con2ressh
 Then must come the question of a League of Nations, which is regarded as the foundation upon which must be erected the whole structure of a permanent peace treaty, and the ad- justment of boundaries to meet condf- tons after the war. The next sub ject to engage attention. as next in importance, is the naturalization Of international waterways, having es- fGGlally Ill lilluu tAS i'ai iuoA'oiioo "A" perhaps the Scheldt and the Danube Littoral.
 Probably next among the foremost subjects to receive attention will be use of the high seas." It may be sig nificant that this phrase now is being adopted instead of the old free dom of the seas" but it is not yet pos sj5le to ascertain in what the distinc- ion is to consist.
 peace congress, as it is necessary for him to get some rest after fatiguing round of speeches and travelling. Ar ter the formal sessions begin, he will, doubtless, play little golf, if the
 Paris, Tuesday, Jan. By The Associated Press.)-lnformal confer ences With entente statesmen which