Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-11
WILSON NOT
To ABANDON
PEACE MEET
Finish of League Not to
End Work-Visit to
U. S. to Be Brief.

Paris, Feb. 11.-CBy the Associat-
cd Press .-EVidence of President
Wilson's intention not TO abandon
the peace conference upon the rati-
flcation OF the society of nations
plan is found in the disclosure TO-
day that he plans TO return from
Washington to Paris by March Is.
This involves so brief a stay at
Washington as to permit only the
signing of bills during the closing
hours OF congress. It is understood
tnat Mr.. Wilson intends to give per
sonal attention in Paris to the work
OF the supreme executive council
which promises to be the most i'm
portant feature of the peace con-
ference afteE the disposal of the so
riety Of nations.
Interesting developments IN the
work of the supreme council of the
peace conference are expected to-
day. The draft of the plan for So
Ciety of nations will be before the
commission for second reading and
it is probable that it will be pre-
pared for action by a plenary ses-
sion of the conference late in the
week. Unanimity continues to pre-
vail that the commissions report
will be adopted.
Refer Economic Questions.
The supreme war council, al
though hearing the claims of Bel
glan delegates in support Of the
French view that their countries
be recouped until on the same foot
ing as Germany, is expected 10 re-
FER this matter to an economic com
mittee. It is now evident that the
supreme war council will be re-
l.eyed of this question, regarded as
an economic, rather than a military
question.
The supreme economic council,
which is about to be organized is
expected to consider French and
Belgian proposals that Essen and
other German industrial towns
should be occupied TO prevent the
manufacture of munitions and
arms. This is a question which
bears on the ability Of Germany to
pay heavy indemnities through
products of industry and 1t is the
American view that the suppression
yf Germanys munition production
can be assured.
This would permit German indus
tries to continue operation with
safety to the allies.
The French and Belgian plea that
they should be permitted to recoup
their enormous losses by the de-
struction of the industrial plants
through the stoppage Of German in
dustrles until France and Belgium
have been rehabilitated, is met by
the American view which is shared
by the British, that such lessons
the reimbursement Of cash tndem-
mites from Germany within a rea-
sonable time. The supreme eco
nomic council can regulate the dis
tribution of raw materials between
countries so as to insure France
and Belgium of a proper advantage
over Germany and prevent the lat
ter from gaining the worlds mar
kets.
Yanks Not to Stay Long.
Once divested OF its economic
features arrangements for an ex-
tension OF the military armistice
can be quickly completed. It Is be-
lleved certain that American troops
will not be employed as permanent
garrison IN the Rhine country long
er than is necessary for military
purposes or to insure the carrying
out Of the commercial conditions OF
the armistice.
To meet doubts cast upon its au-
tnority. the Chinese delegation has
published cablegrams received from
Shanghai, the provincial legislature
. q
ETY. for n League of Nations at
Peklng These cablegrams over
whelmingly favor the activities OF
the delegation and direct that there
be restitution to China or properties
In Shantung.
Franklin ID. Roosevelt, assistant
secretary OF the United States navy,
has virtually completed the work
o: disestablishing American shore
stations in France Ho will return
10 America on the George Washing
Ton with President Wilson.
Jap-Chinese Controversy Nn.
Japan has reiterated her inteR-
ton to hold tho Marshall and Caro-
line islands on the Pacific whioh
she took from Germany during the
war. as well as to Insist upon tho
execution of her agreement reached
in September last with China re-
garding ShantuEg \ formal state
ment to this effect by Japanese rep
resentatives has been made public
here. II is not considered that the
ChinO-Japanese controversy or the
Japanese claims regarding the Pc
cific islands are likely IN delay tho
society Of nations project. tt seems
probable, however, that these mat
lers will be considered later by that
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