The sun., 1919-01-24

war relative strength be reserved as
between their own and other navies.
He added that he did not believe any
Sne seriously contemplated total dis
armament. IIe believes all nations
must maintain armies Of some size.
Russian Plan q Compromise.
Nothing the President has done so
far In connection with European af-
fairs Is likely to provoke more dis
cussion, until the results are clear,
than the Russian plan he promul-
gated and which was adopted yester.
day by the War Council.
The plan is generally regarded as
a Wilsonian compromise. and 1t Is
impossible to escape the conclusion
that the Allies are glad to have Prrsi-
dent Wilson stand out before the
world as the author. If the plan
proves abortive and the fears Of its
opponents are confirmed 1t is plain
that the Presidents prestige and In
fuence may suffer considerably,
though for the moment ne appears
to have won over his adycrsarics and
30 have been easily the chief factor
In arriving at this solution of the
difficult Russian question.
1t Is admitted that the French
plan was opposite In character, and
fhar oro pou- On vftaue1y roiSipu fha
que ion as to what will happen II
the Bolshevists and others refuse to
accept the invitation.
Lloyd George Inconspicuous.
Though the President and Pre-
Inier Lloyd George worked together
on the plan the latter appears to
desire to remain inconspicuous. In
Socialist circles, therefore, the Presi-
dent Is getting the sole praise.
81. Uncertainty rs to what reaction
would be reflected In the United
States was expressed by members OF
the American mission, though 1t was
made clear that this action did not
come before the peace delegates at
all. being an action OF the Interallied
War Council. Supporters Of the
President contend It was the only
thing to do II the French military
plan was to be rejected. 1t was
pointed out also that the French
plan called for a large contribution
in men and money from America,
which would not have been supported
in the United States for minute.
why Concern Arises.
There are many misglvlngs con-
rernlng the Presidents Russian plan,
chiefly because the Wilson plan means
direct contact for the first time with
the Bolsheviki, who hitherto have
fjeen regarded as enemies Of civiliza-
ton. and whose propaganda all coun-
tries have looked upon as the worst
after the war menace.
The misgivings increased when rep
resentatives here of Koltchak and
other anti-Bolshevik Governments
showed a disposition to reject the in
vitation. II these elements should
maintain this position there would be
only the Soviets for the allied repre-
sentatives to deal with, and the state.
Ynent was made to-day that even In
this contingency the meeting would
be held, as the -Omsk and other Gov
sernments hardly could continue theil
war against the Soviets without nj.
lied help. 1t is believed that suf'
fcient pressure will be brought to
bear on them to get them to agree to
the proposal.
- Condemned by French Press.
The situation as it now stands
however, has many disturbing fea
lures It was explained to-day that
France had to yield to the Wilson
plan in order to preserve unity at thf
conference.
The conservative French press a:
D rule condemns the plan, although
thc Figaro says that if the resultt
justify the end it will prove to have
been one Of the magnificent acts o.
history.
I The Socialist press. on the othel
hand, is wild with delight. and thes,
papers are singing the PRESIDENT
praise in greater terms than eve
before.
The American members OF the Rus
sian Polish commission were selected
This afternoon and will be announced
fo-morrow. They are reported to b
Charles NJ. Schwab and Lincoln Stef
fens, although this was not confirmed
object OF Polish Com missiOn.
The settlement of the Polish ques
Sion represents the first achievement
Terowing out of the now spirit Of unit.
Snoticeable in the allied conference
this week. The commission plan wa
, aaccepted In lieu Of the scheme L
send an allied force. which seems +
Rhave been the first idea.
( The commission will undertake tn
upbuilding Of Poland. which is repre-
ssented as having plenty of men 70
military uses, but in a bad state o
Organization. French officers, as par
Sof the mission, may be employed t
strain the Polish army, while tn