The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-25
Economic Opportunities.

Economic Opportunities.
Through the internationalization OF
certain ports, waterways and rail-
ways, the peace conference hopes to
assure equal economic opportunities
for all countries. This is in line with
the third one of President Wilson's S
removal of barriers against free ac-
cess to the sea in landlocked coun-
tries. This question is considered one
of prime Importance. The delegates
probably will attempt to conserve the
existing Danube and Rhine arrange
ments, which proved practical for a
long time before the war. Similar
arrangements will be extended to the
Vistula, the Pruth, the Elbe and other
rivers. Streams like the Scheldt
must be apportioned to permit neigh
boring states to make proper use of
them.
AS to ports, it is declared that cer-
tain nations, must be permitted to use
certain ports free of any undue tariff.
i The railway questions, present diff
ficnlties of transportation when the
line runs through various small
states, which might wish to control
all rail traffic. thus causing the crews
to be changed at every frontier sta
tion.
Nations Warned.
President Wilson has personally
sept messages to various powers
warning against eager territory grab
bing. This warning was particularly
directed to Rumania and Serbia.
which are disputing over Banat and
Temesvar. Both the Czechs and the
Poles are claiming Silesia, while the
Italians and the Jugo- -Slavs are in
controversy over Dalmatia.
No reply has yet been received
from Russia regarding the invitation
to meet representatives of the asso-
ciated powers.
A Ukrainian representative. who
has just arrived here said that
Ukrainia is already an independent
republic seeking formal recognition
and that it will not parley with the
bolsheviks.
According to an unconfirmed re-
port, President Wilson got word from
a member of the bolshevik regime
that it was ready to take UP the
question of repayment of fhe money
loaned to Russia by the allies. This
totals $4,000, 100000 francs. The
president thereupon acted in such a
way as to give the bolsheviks an op-
portunity of stating their intentions.
President Wilson will see the
trenches for the first time when he
visits the Rheims area tomorrow.
Arrangements have been made for
the presidential party to motor to an
old trench system just outside of the
city, after visiting the shell-torn ca
thedral. the ruins of the Hotel DE
Vile and other points of interest.
House Receivers.
All of the American delegates were
present today for the first time. Col.
f. M. House having recovered from
his illness. He sat beside Secretary
of State Robert Lansing.
The morning was devoted to a con-
ference of representatives of the big
five, who are working out a program
for international labor legislation and
the league of nations.
President Samuel Gompers, of the
American Federation of Labor, con-
ferred with President Wilson and
Col. House during the morning, and
later he talked with British and
French diplomats on labor questions.
An American representative in
Russia sent a confidential report to
the president dealing with the situa-
ton there. 1t is understood that the
offer of food was favorably received.
but whether the Russians will accent
the proposition TO lay down their
arms is not yet certain.