Evening star., 1919-04-08
TENSION |NPEACE
PARLEYCONT|NUES;
MAY CLEAR TODAY
President Wilson Hopes to Be
Able to Re-Enter Coun-
ell of Four Sessions.
PREPARATIONS ISSUE
STIRS UP TROUBLE
French Deny Differences With the
U. S.-Draft of Revised League
of Nations Covenant Is
Completed.

Ol NdllUuS SUVCudAt 40
Completed
By the Associated Press.
PARIS. April S-The council of four
met this morning at the residence or
Premier Lloyd George. President Will
son was not able to attend the fore
noon session. but hoped TO be able To
attend the meeting this afternoon at
the Paris White House"
The overnight tension in peace con-
ference circles had not been dispelled
when the council of four met today.
In conference circles, however. it was
felt that the session today would
serve to clear the atmosphere.
Would Accelerate Work.
The first question taken up at the
forenoon session of the council, al
which Col. House represented Presi-
dent Wilson. was that of procedure.
This was considered in an effort TO
accelerate the work of the council.
1t was planned to devote the after
noon session to the subject of respon-
sibility for the war. including the
question of a tribunal to try the for
mer German emperor. the former
crown prince and others on WnFn
divided reports have been presented.
1t was said by American members
of the peace conference that the gen
eral situation was improved soine
what today because OF the agreement
reached by the commission on repa-
rations on the main features OF lhe
reparations question. leaving only
few noneSsential details for ADJUST
ment.
More Hopeful Tone.
Generally. a more hopeful tone pre-
vailed in conference circles as the day
went on.
Members of the American delega-
ton declined to give an explanation
of the many rumorS in circulation
that the conference could complete
its work shortly. One member. when
asked for definite information on the
situation. said:
been ordered to Brcst. That Is eoou
subject foe speculation"
Wilson and French Claims.
PARIS. April s (Havas).-The views OF
President Wilson's attitude on FRENCH
claims before the peace conference put
forth by certain American circles are
declared by the Matin to be entireiy
fantastic" President Wilson. the Matin
says, is conscientiously studying the
final details of the preliminary peace
The Petit Parisien comments IN much
the same vein, emphatically denying
that there are differences between the
French and American delegations. espe-
cially regarding financial questions as
has been declared.
The Paris newspapers as whole re-
iterate the view that il will be several
days before the work of the conference
will be completed in such way that
peace may be made simultaneously with
Germany and her allies. They predict
hat the meetings in Versailles probably
will take place within fifteen or twents
days. however
Buffer State Unlikely.
According to lie Journal. the plan
! for a buffer state at the mouth of the
Vistula has been abandoned, the
handing over of Danzig to the Poles
to be probably the course adopted
The Echo de Paris says il is able
to state that the solution OF the rep
aration question reached by the con-
ference provides for complete repara-
ton. The plan, it adds. calls for the
annual meeting of an interallled COM
mission to decide upon the sum that
Germany shall pay the following year.
If is believed, this newspaper aiso
states. that Geneva has been definitely
chosen as the seat of the society OF
nations. The plan for triumphal pa
rade in Paris along the Champs ELY sseeS
apparently has been abandoned. II
says.
Completes League Draft.
PARIS, Monday. April THE draft
ing committee of the league or ma
tions has now completed its work.
The covenant as revised contains
+wentv-seyen articles. A full meeting
of the league of nations committee
will be held tomorrow to consider the
redraft and the covenant
The peace conference has apparently
reached the turning point Detweeh
definite and speedy results anu
further prolonged delay.
The principles which seem to be
settled are that reparauon ana res
toration shall be in accordance Wlth
the Presidents seventh and eighth
noints and the allies reply to the
Presidents note, and also that the ac-
tual damage and destruction shall be
the main basis for estimating the
damages, and that the commission
shall formulate categories or classes
spread over a period of years. without
a specific total being fixed. and the in
itial payments probably will be re-
ouired within the first two years.
Threat to Withdraw.
At the close of the councils session
it was stated that no agreement had
been reached on reparations or other
subjects Extreme tension was evil
dent as a result of todays discussions.
and it is believed throughout the con-
ference that another critical stage has
been reached. One of the most re
sponsible authorities associated with
President Wilson said that he would
not be surprised il American partici
nation was brought to an early close
if the delays over details were car
ried much further
The differences still remaining or
the subjects OF frontiers and repara-
tions are comparatively light. he add
ed. and yet these slight differences
are so persistently maintained as TO
threaten to cerate prolonged DELAYS.
which the President and The American
delegation are not willing TO accept.
Against Further Concessions.
The President was described by one
who saw him during the day as
standing firm in his determination.
to make no further concessions. He
insists that the principles which
were definitely agreed upon at the
time Of the armistice are at stake.
There is little doubt that the Prcsi-
dents stand had been made known
to other members of the council. bat
since his Illness he has not personal
iy conferred with any OF them. eN-
cepting Col. House.
The existing tension LED to rGfy
Continued Oh Second Page.)