New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Decision on Monroe
Doctrine Issue Is
Expected This Week

by the American delegates, but second
ed for the most part by the British and
Italians, to speed up the work of the
various councils and commissions pre-
pairing the details of the peace treaty.
resulted in better progress during the
closing days Of last week.
That most important results will be
attained during the present week is
predicted by those who are in posi-
tion to speak, including the disposition
of the Monroe Doctrine and repara-
tions, the two subjects which have
been the main obstacles to the COM
| pletion of the treaty
1t is learned that there has recently
been revival of certain propositions
and arguments, which has tried the
patience of some of the participants in
the deliberations, but apparently new
ideas have been exhausted and there
arc signs of the rapid approach of the
end of the discussions. Therefore. it
is expected that President Wilson,
whom some of the French newspapers,
as we'll as some influential British pa
pers, have held responsible in a meas
urc for the delays, is about to exercise
the power. which goes with the respon-
sibility, to make an end to the delays
Reparation Still Important
The most stubbornly contested sub
ject was that of reparations, and it is
suggested that the delay in this case
cannot be charged up to the Americans,
but rather to the prediction promises
of Premier Lloyd George and Premier
Clemenceau to make the Germans pay
the whole cost of the war, which have
led to some embarrassment because of
the patent inability of the enemy to
pay more than fraction of the enor-
nous indemnity that will be required
for that purpose.
However, real progress has been made
in bringing about an agreement on the
total amount of indemnity and the
terms of payment on basis of pains
taking studies of the exact state of
German industries and resources at the
present time and prospects for the
future made by the financial commits
sions of the conference.
+ The American representatives on
these commissions have convinced their
foreign colleagues of the danger of
forcing Germany to sign under duress
conditions they honestly believe beyond
the ability of Germany to meet, point
ing out that such peace would surely
never be permanent, but would result
in reputation at some future day when
Germany felt she had the sympathy of
the majority or was strong enough
from military standpoint.
Seek to Save Monroe Doctrine
Although President Wilson has stated
that the league Of nations covenant did
not delay the progress of the treaty, be-
cause the work of the other commits
sions was equally essential to it's COM
pletion, the subject has caused much
anxiety and close study during the
last week
The desire of the American delegates
to safeguard the Monroe Doctrine and
to insert other amendments to meet
home criticism has temporarily pre-
vented the report Of the revised cove
nant from being submitted to plcnary
meeting of the conference. The meet
iIg of the commission on Thursday,
however, gave the finishing touches to
the formula, which, it is believed, is
satisfactory to the Council Of Four,
and plenary session will likely be
held on Saturday.
1t has been decided to avoid con-
troversy over the guarantee of relig
ious freedom by renting the subject
to special treaties, which must be
made with all new states That have
arisen through the war. The Japanese
delegates are expected to complete
their record by calling for an expires
sion of sentiment by the council of ten
and perhaps the plenary conference
upon their declaration of equality be-
fore the Law of all nations in the
league Of nations.
Early Completion Foreseen
Signs that the directing forces of the
conference look for the early com
pletion OF the first peace treaty are
found in the preparations now oo'~o
ON at Versailles for meeting of tn,
peace conference or It's representative.
with the German commissioners
Telegraph and telephone lines arc
being installed and accommodation.
have been provided for the large sec
retariat which must handle the detail.
of the treaty making.
Privately, confidence is expressed b.
the leading delegates that the Ger
mans will sign the treaty, though not
Of course, without strenuous objcc
tions over many details.
1t is realized that. unless handled
discrectiy, out of such an incident a.
an attempt To Land Polish troops q,
Danzig serious rupture might fol
low, but it is understood that tho Ger
mans are to be given assurance tha-
these troops will be landed in small
detachments only and will be i'm
mediately transferred into Poland. ane
that there will be no attempt to seiz,
the city itself under the armisticc
nor at all, unless the peace treaty Il
which the Germans subscribe dc
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