Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-13
CONGRESS IS
TOLD rush
RELIEF FUND
President Urges Quick Ac-
tion-Paris Farley Has
First Session.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-Presi-
dent Wilson has sent an urgent
message to Senator Martin and
Representative Sherley. chair
men of the congressional ap-
preparation cOmmi tee, asking
them 10 present VITA all pos
sible force and urgency 10 con-
gress the need Tor Immediate
favorable action Oh his request
for an appropriation of $780,
O00.OO0 for food relief in Europe,
The president said European
statesmen urged immediate AMI
concerted action a. means OF
Stemming the tide Of famine and
unrest, and that /. Od relief was
the key to the whole European
situation and 10 the solution Of
peace.
The message pointed ont that the
money would not be spent for Ger
many, because the Germans could
pay for what they need, but would
be used TO finance the movement
Of food to the friends of the United
States in Poland and the liberated
parts OF Austria Hungary and to
the associates of this country n the
Balkans.
Paris, Jan. 13.-The first actual
session Of the peace congress is be-
ing held today. although It is of
cially designated as one Of the Sc
Ties OF conversations for laying the
groundwork for the structure which
will later be presented to the for
nal assembly OF the delegates of all
the LatiOns. Yesterdays meeting
Vas preliminary to those Of the
coming weeks and months.
VIII Take Up Details.
These conversations will take NJ
details Of the programme be carried
out-what subjects viii be conEid-
cred at the meetinE5, the roles Of
expert advisers and the order IN
which various matters VIII be con
.ldered. Today's meeting probably
will Geal with the important oues-
tion Of the organization by which
tie peace congress will function. Il
IS also expected to make a start to-
permost in the public eye-whe-her
the sessions will be open or secret.
League Plan Ready
Reports that the American dele
cation has agreed on a working plan
for league of nations and that It
vIll be one of the first things 10 be
laid before the congress have beeu
current in Paris. All outward evI-
denCes in official quarters point n
y L
that as late as President Wilson's
return from Italy ne was not pre-
pared 10 lay down a working plan
aud that he preferred tn have other
Jlans originating among the en-
tente delegates offered first.
At the same time il is known that
Mr Wilson has selected FIVE mea
connected with the American mis-
SION. recognized experts on fnrerua-
Iional law. to draw up 4 tentative
plan which he could compare with
his own ideas Ont Of the whole It
was hoped to frame some concrete
preparation representing the best
ideas Of the American delegation.
Nay Use Bryan Idea.
Naturally those STUDYING The
y, oblems turn to the proceedings
Of The Hague conferences. particu-
laTly the second and il probably
"iu he found when the present
peace congress gets under wav. tnaf
a great deal Of the structure OF tnae
conference will he utilized II is
probable that with lhis will he cou-
rled the plan of " j. Bryan. call
putes before a declaration Of war.
This latter feature Is one OF the
very definite things that Mr.. vii
son is understood 10 nave in mind.
VIII Leave No LoophOles.
American international lawyers
are convinced that the great battle
e.. wits will come in the discussion
Of whatever machinery is proposed
to lessen the probability OF war.
Not all OF them believe that the re-
suits Of this peace congress VIII
make war impossible. bur they are
sanEuine that /, VIII make armed
cnficts more difficult. Their pr.r-
0iple concern is that the structure
y hether it is called a league Of ma
tons o. something else. shall not
be framed, like The Hague confer
ance, in qualifying phrases. on POP
llar terminology "loopholes" which
you'd undermine the whole struc-
ture
Seek Way to Lasting Peace.
President Wilson and his commits
sioners are workins on the theory
mat Great Britain. France. Italy
and the rest of the world want
some new machinery which vii
prevent war Upon such deter
nination they are fundamentally
5sreed The business OF couversa-
IONS, which begin today, is to fn1
A common ground upon which all
can unite for such d purpose
1t was reported some time aro
that the mot that was hoped for
before Mr.. Wilson's return TO tre
[ nited States IS a general agree
ment on broad principles, There
is no reason now TO change int
forecast.