New-York tribune., 1919-02-03
Full League
Plans Ready
By Saturday
Peace Conference Commit
tee Starts to Assemble So
ciety of Nations Machine
Net1 York Tribune
E1LrODe11s Bureau

Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Feb. 2.-The climax Of the
first phase of the peace conference will
be reached this week. A great mass Of
material has been gathered together,
the foundation has been laid, and now
the delegates will begin assembling the
parts Of the machine which they hope
will turn out brand new product
There is every reason why the ma
chine should begin operating at the
earliest possible moment. All the
world. wants to see what manner of
thing has been set up by the leaders Of
the Orient, Europe and the West. The
statesmen-Lloyd George, Wilson, Gle
menceau, Orlando, Kinnochi and Liu
Cheng-are just as anxious to complete
their monumental task as the masses of
their countries are to begin life under
the new conditions.
Everything centres on the league of
nations. All other questions are de-
tails, although some, like Russia, are
big enough to wreck the whole machine
unless it is handled successfully.
League Details Soon
The league of nations committee,
under the presidency of Mr. Wilson,
is ready to begin it's work. The
fundamental principles of the league
have been agreed upon by the five pow
ers, and the scope of its functions de-
fined. Now comes the heavier task,
the working out of practical details.
British leaders, with their colonial
experience, and long trained in dip
lomatic customs, naturally approach
the problem with wisdom gained by
of study. 1t is understood
their plan will be accepted, but that
American. French and even Japanese
specifications will be included.
By next Saturday it is probable that
the pienary conference will learn what
these architects have devised.
President Wilson returns within the
next fortnight to the United States.
Lloyd George will go to London at the
next week end. These two have
formed close partnership, and when
they report to their clients they want
TO be in a position to say: eve have
the basis of durable peace the league
Of nations is reality" And when
they agree upon any policy for this
it goes through.
The British Premier must speak
soon with regard to his acts as mis-
;ionary as we'll as an architect. Some
If the British colonies, notably Aus
ralia, are unhappy over the events of
he last week. Mr.. Hughes, the Aus
,ralian Premier, has received cables
rom the Antipodes, criticising the
decisions of the peace conference, pro-
,isional though they be, with regard
% the Pacific Islands. Englishmen, as
we'll as Australians, will want defini-
ion of the word mandate, and Lloyd
George is the only man who can give it.
U. s. Evades Police Job
To date Mr.. Wilson has succeeded in
vading all attempts to fasten upon
America the responsibility of manag-
ng any colonies, although the British
specially are desirous of having the
United States share the job of polio
If the Near East, notably Syria and
Asia Minor.
Whoever assumes the work must
maintain considerable army of occu-
patton and that is costly business these
lays. when soldiers demand wages
almost equalling those of clerk.
No official announcement has been
made upon the subject of indemnities.
II of repatriation, as the delegates pre-
'er now to call the penalty Germany
must pay, but it is very lively ques- !
ion in Belgium and France, whose bills
IRE almost ready for presentation.
France wants an early settlement
With Germany. 1t is a fact that the
Germans are recuperating with an as
founding rapidity, while France. terri
,ly hard hit by the war, is reorganiz-
ng slowly. The German colonies which
viii go to France will be unproductive
for many years. while the
same is true in lesser degree of the
ore deposits in the Sarrc Valley.
There are two schools in France, one
IF which would have Germany assessed
Tnu}i,,,ed ~, aysa.f a1U1s