Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-25
Conferees are Eager to Reach
Point Where Food and Ma
teriaIs Can Be Shipped Into
Tempestuous Germany.
Fix RESPONSIBILITY FOR
INDIVIDUAL WAR CRIMES
Committee on Reparation Re-
ported to Be Near Agree
ment; Early High Claims
Said to Have Been Shaved
Down.
By FRED 8. FERGUSON.

Paris. Feb. 25.-The new revolution
in Germany Is giving added impetus
to the work of preparing the outline
for a preliminary peace. The con-
ferees are anxious to reach a point
where food and materials may be
shipped into Germany to restore eco
nomic and political conditions to q
normal basis.
The peace conference had not yet
received official advices on the situa-
tion in Germany today, owing to the
fact its representatives in that country
are sending reports by courier rather
than telegraph. But there was a dis
position on the rart Of the delegates
to feel that speed In effecting a pre-
liminary peace is becoming more es-
sential each day from standpoint of
self protection. If for no other reason.
GIVEN PRECEDENCE.
While the question of whether the
peace with Germany or final disposi-
tton of the league of nations shall be
taken up first after President Wilson's
return probably will remain open until
he is present to participate in the dis
cussions. there appears little doubt at.
this time that the preliminary peace
will be given precedence.
The various committees are pro-
crossing rapidly in the working out
the details Of the general peace settle
ment. The subcommittee of the body
which will determine responsibility
and punishment for authors of the war
is understood to have completed it's
report on individual guilt, though the
whp1a Cory,pniftaa ho yat cd
The sub ub-committees report is said to
have been unanimous.
REGARDING REPARATIoN.
The committee on reparation is re-
ported to be approaching agreement
on the principle upon which damage
will be collected. 1t Is further report
ed that early high claims are being
consistently shaved down to conform
with what can be obtained. The COM
mittee is understood to show a prefer
ence for making the period of payment
as short as possible-inside of 20.
years-rather than permit the cry of
commercial slavery to go up from a
people Of coming generations.
On the matter OF territorial claims,
informal discussions regarding the
western frontiers of Germany are go
ing on. Only the Moroccan and Arme-
nian questions remain of the minor
problems to be taken up.
LEAGUE REvISIoNa
Representatives of various league of
nations societies of the big powers will
meet in London this week to confer
on amendments and additions to the
constitution which they will present
when the peace conference opens de-
baet on the covenant.
Oscar Strauss and Hamilton Holt
will represent the League to Enforce
Peace. Senator Bourgeois of France
and Premier Venizelos of Greece will
attend, giving the conference a semi
official standing. so far as recommen-
dations are concerned. The Americans
are said to be desirous of adding an
article making equality in religious
and civil rights obligatory to all sigma
tory powers. The French seek home
protection within constitutional bounds
in lieu Of the International police force,
which they unsuccessfully attempted
to incorporate in the original draft.