The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-17


Great Britain are reluctant to impose re-
strictions on their newspapers the only
course Is to allow the widest tolerance
to ALL
"On the other hand. IL would be harm
full to lay bare to the enemy Government
differences of opinion which inevitably
arise In discussions between delegations
The very essence of every debate Is that
contradictions should arise Such con
tradictions will assuredly be reconciled
but It would I've very unfortunate that
Germany should know the details day
by day and seek to make capital out OF
them"
Draft of League Nearly Drawn.
The draft ~ the League of Nations
in the form Of treaty enactment has now
proceeded mucn further thanl generally
supposed as n result OF recent confer
ences between Lord Robert Cecil. Sec
rotary Lansing and Col. House. at which
the best features OF the various projects
were embodied in concrete form OF en-
actment. This Is called a covenant In
stead of treaty and reembraces th!r-
! teen articles and eight supplementary
provisions which bring together the
main features Of all the plans presented.
The covenant, while still subject 10
tiuNT TeNlSlOI. Will ne TeduN
Tor the congress or committee whenever
the subject is considered
Resides Premier Clemenceau as pre-
! siding officer at the peace conference.
, provision has been made for several
vice presidents, who. doubtless. will in
/ clude an American, sitting alongside
of NJ. Clemenceau at the head Of the
| conference table and occasionally al
ternating with him In presiding over the
deliberations of the congress.
The American delegation has not yet
designated any one for this function.
| 1t is generally understood, however. that
the Premiers OF the various countries
Will act In this capacity. and as Presi-
dent Wilson occupies n position similar
20 that o: the Preniers the congress
naturally would call on him. if he so de-
sired it, TO act as vice-president
| though II Is thought that he would pre-
fer that some other member Of the dele
CATION take his place
In that case II probably would fall to
Secretary Lansing, as Secretary OF State,
| or else to Henry White. who. as temper
! airy presiding officer. would have an ad-
vantage, being a lnguist. when addressed
by delegates speaking only in French.
The position OF Nice-President, in ad-
dttion to being highly honorable one,
has the practical advantage Of a posi-
tlon at the head OF the table with the
other Premiers and also Of conducting
the deliberations when NJ. Clemenceau
Is absent or yields the chair.
President Wilson has Indefinitely post
poned his visit to the invaded regions OF
| France in order TO keep in touch with
the peace conference activities in Paris.
Opening TO he Ceremonious.
| The inauguration OF the Peace Con-
| gress on Saturday will be carried out
with ceremonies behtting such an oc-
casion. \ detachment Of troops will
pay honors to the arriving delegates.
and stephen Pichon. the French Foreign
Minister. will receive President Wilson
| At the head OF the steps OF the Foreign
; Ministry ard accompany him TO the
room where the meeting will begin at 3
clock sharp.
The plenipotentiaries will sit around a
horseshoe table the middle part OF this
table being reserved for officers The
deleSa tons will be grouped by States
in alphabetical order, as they appear In
the Almanach de Gotha- American
delegates will be at one end, then those
OF the British Empire. France, Italy and
Japan in the order named. After them
will come representatives OF other
States. also seated alphabetically.
When ali are seated President Foin-
care will enter and take the presiden-
tial armchair 10 make the opening ad-
dress. II Is understood that he Will refer
to the tragic epoch ending SO gloriously
| for the Entente and which for four
years upheaved the world He lie expe1ed
also to refer TO the immense task OF
universal reconstruction which must he
the work OF the conference and the high
ilea!s OF justice which will be observed
during the deliberations Of the Peace
Cor sress He will then conclude by de-
claring the session open and will with
draw.
Premier CIemeuceau will take his
rlace In the chair as chief of the French
delegation. this being his right as the
congress s meeting in the capital OF
France He will request the assembly
10 elect officers which, besides a presi-
dent. will include vice-presldents and a
general secretary. Regulations for the
congress will then he read,
The great Sale de Ia PaiX at the For
eign Office was being prepared to-day
for the first meeting OF the congress
Except for the addresses by President
Poincare and Premier Clemenceau there
i will he speechmaking. and II is not
| believed that the subject OF the league
OF nations or the question of Russia will
be taken up Their consideration Will
await the first business session,
With the time for the assembling OF
! the full delegations OF the conference
drawing near the question OF represen-
! tation to be accorded all the nations
except Russia has been disposed OF
| and the remaining preliminary sessions
| will only have before them the work OF
! completing the framing ot the pro-
10 n
| business sessions begin on Sunday o;
Monday the conference, it is expected
will thus be ready to plunge into It's
real work.
PrclIminarY Pence nv SnrinR.