The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-03-20
Peace is NEAR,
II; Treaty
May Be Signed Within |W)
Weeks, Outlook in Paris.
LIMIT SET FOR OCCUPATION
The Monroe Doctrine Strengthened,
Lord Robert Cccii Asserts--Three
CoVenan Amendments.

The Monroe Doctrine Strengthened,
Lord Robert Cccii Asserts-Thrce
Covenant Amendments.
Paris. March 2u--IncluSion of The
league Of nations covenant i'll the pre-
liminary peace treaty will NOT delay
the signii..: OF thc treaty.
This it is nD"ed will be accomplish
ed within two weeks.
Lord Robert Cecil. talking to Brit
ish and American newspaper CORES
pondentS 50 declared. He SAID three
amendments to the covenant had been
submitted H. added he was Sure
there viii be 10 d.!iiculty in meeting
all legitimate objections"
Discussing the Monroe doctrine,
Lord Robert said:
"rhe Monroe doctrine is strength
en1d by the league of nations covenant
because international action will be
carried out by the organs of the
league. The United States will be rep
resented on each body ard since these
bodies are international no act can
be taken without the consent of all.
mo action can be taken by the
league which is opposed by the United
States government unless such action
should be against the United States
itself and that would not affect the
Monroe doctrine.
eff. on the other hand, the view is
70 lao
watertight division between the Amer
lean continent and the rest of the
world, then. no doubt. any action in
which America takes part would be an
.infrin cement of the Monroe doctrine.
''F'or my part I should regard any
such doctrine as disastrous To the fu-
tllre of the world. The war left the
United States in a position of enor-
nous power.
with that gigantic power goes great
responsibility 10 the world at large
and to herself The peace of the
world is not only European, but an
American interest. America cannot
afford TO say that she has no interest
in what goes on in Europe. If she
did she would he false to the world
at large and TO herself
Asked if the covenant might pro
vide for race equality, Lord Robert
said that this could not he done with
out interfering with the internal az
fairs of various nations, which would
violate the principles of the league.
Regard!n" the voluntary withdrawal
of any nation from the league. he
pointed ont there was much to be said
on both SIDES If the question.
8 The military terms of the treaty
have been amended Ivy the elimination
of the clause providing for the con-
of Germaly'S armament for an iEdei
mite period.
Admiral w. S Benson. of the United
States navy. pointed out the origina
terms committed the United States to
a virtually Indefinite occupation of
Germany. 1t was chiefly on his insist
once that the terms were modified.
American delegates also pointed out
that control of any portion of Ger
many for such a period would delay
the return home of American troops
and annul the sovereignty Of Ger
many.
As amended the terms provide for
control through the time fixed for the
delivery of materials of war, guns and
ships, but not through the period
through which war damages will be
paid by Germany.
A long conference took place be-
tween President Wilson, Mr.. Lloyd
George and NJ. Clemenceau.
At its end it was announced no final
decision had been taken, but all the
main questions surrounding the peace
conference had been discussed. The
meeting had been entirely satisfactory,
It was stated. There had been no
change in the plans previously an
nounced. which cOntemplates the COM
pletion of the peace treaty within the
next two weeks, including the league
Of nations.