The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-24
SITUATION MORE SERIOUS
World Faces Greater Problem Now
Than When Hun Drive Started.

Paris, March 24-The world faces an
infinitely more serious situation today
than 1t did a year ago, when the German
super offensive was at its height, according
to the belief expressed in certain official
quarters. This, despite the fact the armi-
stiee was signed five months ago, and the
peace conference has been in session three
months.
financial and social collapse that is now
threatening. Economic experts agree that
every day lost in signing peace brings the
general crisis that much nearer.
There was a tendency today, in fact, to
regard Hungarys action in forming
soviet republic in alliance with the Russian
Boisheviki and declaring war on the allies
as meaning the crisis already has been
reached. There was no disposition to hide
the belief that the menace of -Belshevlsm
has been increased a hundred fold by the
new situation in Hungary:
"A year ago every one in the world was
at work. said one of the leading economic
and financial authorities. IF they were
not fighting they were producing. In ad-
dition, patriotic impulse was speeding up
every one had to do something. But every,
thing is now headed for stagnation and
disorder, unless speedy counter action IS
Conference In MIDDLE.
"In the meantime, the peace conference
is in the worst middle since 1t opened.
The hour of decisions having arrived, 1t
can be stated that the situation is as fol-
lows; .. !,
extraneous questions. For instance the
Syrian question was take up and General
Ailenby was brought from Egypt to dis
cuss it, altho the Syrian problem has no
bearing whatever on peace with Germany.
"The question of territorial rights in
Dnlmatia is constantly, bobh 3 up aitho
THE Polish question has been mis-,
handled. The war council saturday reached
the point where it started on this matter
and decided to adopt the program orig
inaily proposed s.,., ,,..,.u,-
the French are still clinging to the hope
of au international pool of war expendi;
lures in which the United States would
pay the majority of the bills. As an
alternative they suggest nauonaIiza-
ton of exchange. The effect of this would
be to bring up the economic value OF me
franc with consequent loss In the present
value of the dollar.
France Has Done Nothing.
Meanwhile France has done nothing to
| date to meet the serious financial situa-
ton confronting her, due to this hope OF
some international arrangement The
| French people have not been taxed within
! 30 per cent as heavily as the British aud
! Americans for carrying on the war, Will
I the present situation as the result
/ Against the set program Of having al
committee reports submitted by March ;
only two major committees have c9mpleeih etc
their work-the military and naval podies
| These terms are now ready Tor inclusion
| in the peace treaty, except for few minol
details. PREPARATION boundaries and post
war economic terms are still in a fiult
| state.
AT the present' rate of progress the dis
| cussions must drag on for weeks Ru
certain conferees agreed this cannot be thu
| case In view of the reports from Hungary
| and Germany some drastic action appears
! likely to be taken within few days
Little to Show for Work.
| THE president and other leaders hav'
| put i'll long hours and the committees haV'
| done the same, but they have little to show
for their efforts since the presidents re
turn.
! by next saturday. as planned. depends
! upon whether different program from
the present dickering is forced thru