Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-09
MEETING OF
ALLIED MEN
is DELAYED
Conferences Between Viii
son and Premiers Post
poned a Week.

Paris. Jan. 9.-Premier Clemen-
ceau of France and Premier Veni-
zelos of Greece were in conference
this morning with the American
delegation to the peace conference.
A French protocol giving a de-
tailed program of the procedure of
the peace conference has been sub
mitted to the American and other
delegations by whom it now is un-
der consideration.
Paris, Jan. 9.-(By the Associated
Press. )-President Wilson's con-
ferences with the premiers of Great
Britain, France and Italy which
were to open today have been de-
layed and probably will not begin
before early next week.
Mr.. Lloyd George is detained in
London and Premier Orlando of
Italy, who is due here today, prob
ably will return to Rome.
There will, however, be a meet
ing today at the office of Stephen
Pichon, foreign minister. 1t will
be attended by Mr.. Wilson, Premier
Orlando, and Japanese representa-
tives, but it will be informal be-
cause of the absence of Mr. Lloyd
George. The meeting will clear up
preliminary points and it is believ-
ed that details of procedure will be
settled. The delegates will then be
in position when Mr.. Lloyd George
arrives to complete the preliminary
work and clear up matters for the
opening conferences on Monday and
Tuesday
Importance is attached to the
meeting of the French cabinet to-
day. for it is probable that Presi-
dent Poincaire will nominate the
French delegates to the peace con-
ference.
Referring to the conference as
being between the chiefs of the en-
tente governments, the best inform
ed French sources say that it is
nothing more or less than a meet
ing-perhaps a last-of the higher
allied co1rnnfttee-~ft 1t is pointed out
that the committee in question will
be composed of the premiers and
foreign ministers of the allies, Mr..
Wilson figuring as American pre-
mier.
1t is not expected there will be a
long debate at the conferences. As
regards questions concerning en-
emy countries, it is understood that |
those concerning Germany will be +,
taken up first, then those of Aus |
and finally those rel |
ative to Bulgaria and Turkey. These /
details will probably not be decided !
upon until the league of nations /
part of the program has been eX- /
hausted, however.
Discuss Principles Only.
1t is not expected that the pre- |
miers' conference will deal with .
the most general principles of the
peace settlement. In fact, it now |
SENS doubtful if more than a broad. |
agreement will be reached .
before President Wilson returns TO
ing conferences il is expected
a more or less tentative plan
al be adopted which Will divide
the work of the peace congress into
steps. The actual max
ing of peace with the central pow
ers may be the last of these steps.
These will be made up as follows:
First, a general agreement be
tween the United States and the
entente belIigerents for the crea-
ton of league of nations, or sim
liar machinery to enforce the terms
Of peace and preserve it.
Second, the setting up of new in
dependent states growing out of the
war.
Third, the assessment of damages
and indemnitieS and the manner of I
their payment
Fourth, the conclusion of peace
treaties with the central powers.
The peace treaties may be left to
the last because none of the agree
meuts can bind the central powers
unless in the meantime they have
Governments which sat
sly the : conference as to their
stability and purpose of carrying
Out the treaties made
At this point arises the question
Of how long the peace congress will
wait for the central powers to ar
range their governments. 1t is
pointed out that neither Germany
lor Austria can complete their gov
arnmental machinery until it is de-
what the two peoples de-
sire in this matter.
There is always the possibility
hat if no responsible governments
appear to give assurance that obi
cations undertaken will he carried
,ut, the nations represented at the
congress could give notice that it
would become necessary, at certain
points, to assist in the formation
If orderly governments and at the
same time to collect revenues to
apply on the bill of damages. Such
lction, if taken at all, would be
,nly a last resort. No official out
inc has been made to show what
he United States would agree to do
n carrying out such an undertak-
ng, if it should become necessary,
,ut some of those best informed as
o the lines along which Mr. Will
on and the peace commissioners !
ire working believe that it is the
purpose of the Americans to go no
urther in the readjustment of Eu- (
opean affairs than to secure gem 1
raj adherence to the principles al
eady laid down by President Will {
on.