The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-01-17
Wilson is Optimistic.

| WuSOn Is OpttmiSItC.
| by Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
/ PARIS, Jan. 17.-On the eve Of
| congress lit may be stated authori-
tatively that today President Wilson
i is feeling more optimistic regarding
the general situation than at any
time since his arrival in Europe.
When preliminary conferences were
resumed today it was expected the
delegates would take prompt action
on publicity demands formulated by
(; the committee of newspaper cOrre-
| spondents. The president Is known
TO be strongly appreciative Of the
support of both American and for
eign correspondents of his ideas of
open covenants of peace, openly
arrived att and he believes the de-
sired publicity will be achieved.
That press delegations OF all coun-
| tries will attend tomorrow's formal
opening, when President Poincare
will make welcoming address and
other leaders will reply. already has
been practically settled.
| Diplomatic Victory For America.
F[By Ed L. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent
| PARIS, JAM 17.-America has won
the biggest diplomatic victory in the
peace conferences to date through
the large representation secured by
the new world powers, in the opinion
of the French press today.
Great Britain obtained big ad-
vantage when representation was
granted her colonies. But, the news
Papers insist, the Americans now
have an even greater number OF
votes at their disposal without count
ing Canada, which, on many points.
is expected to side with the United
Estates The press complains that
France overlooked a bet in not hav-
| ing her numero colonies. which
contributed heavily to the war in
/ troops, money and materials, rep
resented at the conferences.
The American majority indicates,
| according to the French newspapers,
that the moment the United States
entered the war for purely humani-
tartan ends, her statesmen foresaw
that these ends could not be attained
] unless the peace conferences were
dominated by states with similarly
altruistic aspirations. The press is
| therefore inclined to interpret the
entry Of Central and South Ameri-
can republics and the West Indies
nations as the most far-sighted d.
plomacy and craftsmanship the world
has yet seen.
Armistice Extended One Month.
PARIS, Jan 1.-THE armistice,
with several important clauses add
ed, has been extended for a month,
| IL was officially announced today.
Following the conference at
Treves between Marshal Foch and
the German delegates, the armistice
conventions were prolonged for a
MONTH" the statement said.
Clauses concerning agricultural
material. Russian war prisoners, ma
/ val conditions and the recuperation
Of material taken from the invaded
| districts were signed.
Greatest Political Battle.
by Lowell Mellett, United Press
Staff Correspondent
PARIS, jan 1.-THE greatest po-
ilitical battle of modern times was be-
ing fought out here today--in secret.
This struggle centered on the Rus
sian situation. It's outcome was be-
llieved to hinge largely on the result
of the newspaper correspondents fight
for publicity of the peace proceedings.
| The general question at stake was
+, the right OF people to self-determin-
alton. The specific question was the
application Of this vital principle to
Russia This matter was being dis
cussed alongside the problem of open
or secret diplomacy. II the cores
pondents win their fight for admis-
sion to the conferences, the nature OF
/ the other big conflict will soon be-
come apparent.
Some inkling Of the situation was
given to America by the United Press
recently, when it revealed the fact
that the peace delegates were divided
as to whether fair inquiry should be
made into Russian affairs with a view
to Offering cooperation or whether
the conference should act on the as
sum ption that the situation fs exact
ly as has been painted by hostile
propag andists and that investigation
is unnecessary.
|. Further mixing came when the
French socialist newspaper Human
lite picked out of the air (this is liter
ally possible in these wireless days)
the text of Foreign Minister Pichon's
response to Great Britain's proposal
for at least partial recognition OF the
ssoyiet government, revealing an evil
dent effort to use the old method OF
secret diplomacy to dispose of matters