The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-06
FRENCH. HOSTILITY
ANGERED WILSON
Reason for Threat to Remove
Conference From Paris Is
Now Revealed.
PRESS TOOK SENATE VIEW
President Said to Have Re-
sented Intimation He Does
Not Represent Majority.
Spe,ial Despatch 10 THn Sun.

Special Despatch TO TEE Sun.
WARRINGTON, March 5.-Leading
French writer's and the French press as
sailed the British Wilson League of Ma
tons plan so bitterly early last month
that President Wilson on February IL
threatened removal OF the Peace Con-
ference from Paris. This IL shown in
the first patches of copious French com-
ment to reach here through uncensored
channels There il a striking similarity
between the general French line of at
tack and the views expressed by nearly
all the Republicans and some Democrats
in the American Senate after the text
OF the league constitution became
definitely known.
There are Indications that the French
writer's knew even before February IL
what the terms of the constitution
would be, and this apparently furnished
the basis OF the charge made by some
of the Presidents supporters In Paris
hat Premier Clemenceau and other
French officials were conducting a cam
paign OF propaganda against the league
by permitting inside facts to become
known 20 leaders in French Government
journalistic circles.
Serious Disagreement Likely.
Tho Presidents deep resentment Of
regarded now as of particular impor-
lance here and fear Is openly expressed
that there may be serious disagree
ments when the President returns to
Paris. The extent to which the Presi-
dent is ready to go as champion of the
league Is strikingly shown by his ac-
ton in his controversy with the Sen
ate. The point is raised as to what the
President will do II he returns to find
French public opinion seething in the
same opposition which prevailed when
he left.
1t is now known that Premier Clemen-
ceau, together with Premier Lloyd
George and Mr.. Balfour, promptly put
an end TO the campaign in the French
press in Difference TO the Presidents de-
sires. Likewise they applied a rigorous
censorship to news emanaung from
Paris and also to reports being received
by French newspapers from Washing
ton.
BY these tactics matters were
smoothed over and the leagues consti-
tuition was worked out by the commit
tee in charge under the Presidents di-
rect supervision in time for the instru-
ment to be laid before the plenary ses-
sion OF the conference and also be taken
by the President on his flying trip &c
his own country.
Somc oDJcCtIOhaDlc ouOJeCtbs
The most Objectionable features EN-.
phasized In the French press from the
Presidents viewpoint, according to re-
ports now available in full. were the
following:
First-The so-called campaign of
a. Andre Cheradame writing in La
Democratic NoureIle showing the
peace conference delegates and the
French public the --power- of the
United States Senate-to nullify Mr..
Wilson's League OF Nations plan.
Second-The emphasis which
French newspapers like lie Temps
and others laid on the significance
of the November elections as show
ing the trend of American public
opinion to the support OF men like
Senators Lodge. Knox and others who
wanted peace established first and
the league afterward.
Third-The copous and detailed
reports from Washington printed IN
the French press rejecting Repub-
licsn opposition TO the league plan.
An article printed By Cheradam'
or February shortly before the Presi
dent was quoted as ready to suggest thu
removal of the Peace Conference from
Paris twas nder the caption The
American Senate Intervenes" anc
pointed out that the Senate was the rea
controlling factor. as President Wilson
could not commit the American people t
Endorsement of his league plan until III
was assured of the sanction of tn,
Senate.
Home Sentiment Is shown.
Lengthy Washington dispatches from
the correspondent of lie Temps state
at the same time that very strong oppo
h. l,a al
oped even among members of his owl
marty. The dominating feature Is tn
will Of the American people as eX
pressed on November g. the nevspape
added. pointing out that the Republica
Senate would be the controlling factor Il
passing judgment on the League OF Ma
lions plan.
Reports from THE SUN in substantial
ton of statements that President Wilso
was not even in a position to ask tn
Peace Conference to pronounce itself o
the league plan until he had the supper
OF the United states Senate were widel
quoted. The French press virtually dc
m1nded that the President reach haT
mony with the American Senate and wit
the views of the American people befor
pressing the league plan in advance c
peace with the enemy.
II was after reports along this lin
had continued for more than a week tina
the President was quoted as ready I
propose that the Peace Conference NOV
from Paris to some place wtN9e Their
would not be a campaign directed a
certain features of his league plar
Andre Cheradame on February IL quote
Senator Lodge as the champion OF peac
FIRST and the league afterward, and CAV
parts of Mr.. Lodges speech. in whic
the Republican leader said he hoped tn
Senates views would become know
abroad as thoroughly as "the Postmas
ter-General, who controls the wires, an
Mr.. Creel. who controls the news" woul
permit them to reach Paris