Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-10
j. s. MEN FESTIVE
AT PARLEY DELAY
Have Consumed Nearly a Full
Month and Actual Start
Not Begun.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


Copyright. 1919 by n Y. Evening Post, Incl
PARIS, January 10.-Practically a
month has already been consumed in
visits and preliminary talks since the
American peace mission arrived in Eu
rope, and people of the United States
might well be asking what has been
accomplished
The fact is that almost half of the
period of time which President Wilson
will De able to spend in Europe has
passed, yet no international confer
ence of premiers of the allied nations
which could be construed as the ac-
tual beginning of peace sessions has
been held.
The naming of the members of the
French peace mission yesterday is
welcome news to Americans here, for
hitherto. with the exception of the
American and the Japanese peace del
egations, representatives of all other
countries have either not been named
or have not yet arrived in Paris. The
eagerness of the American delegation
to begin business has been made plain
as politely as possible.
Americas Readiness Signifed.
The departure of the President from
the United States within three weeks
after the signing of the armistice on
November II, it is felt by Americans
here, signified Americas readiness to
carry out as promptly as possible the
principles embraced in the notes ex
changed with the German government
previous to the surrender.
Among the American delegates there
a W
fear is tendency on the part of some
other nations to be diiatory. This
situation has been most regrettable
because it has given rise to the belief
of the time of Mr.. Wilson's visit to
Europe will be consumed in protract-
ed delayed conversations with no like
lihood of getting down to bedrock. He
may even be compelled to return to
the United States before the real nego-
tiations are under way.
While the American delegation is
quite as anxious as those Of other
allies that Germany should receive
her full punishment, our representa-
tives believe that continued peace in
Europe win not be possible II the
period in German International at
fairs must involve the drawn-out
strangulation of German industries,
making impossible the employment Of
her demobilized armies or the re-
sumption Of her normal Industrial
processes, whereby the government
may be enabled to stop total anarchy.
Look Askancs at Proposals
TSs Aknerfcan siissse.tion.sth hsfsfofis..
may be. said ~ be 1coking asic&nce 1t
quarters that indenahities he ipapdsed
Of such q size thAt Germany fol. the
next dfty years may be kept in dan
ger Of chronic state bankruptcy.
On the other hand. they are looking
askance at the proposals that the
blockades be too long maintained,
thereby preventing any business revi-
val for many months to come. pos
sibly years, II the bolshevik govern
ment Comes into power in Germany,
1t Is well understood among the Amer
leans here, however. that the main
tenance of the conditions of the
armistice and of the blockade is en-
abling ourselves and our allies in some
measure to get a much needed start
before allowing the Germans free ac-
cess to other markets. The Ameri-
can delegates, nevertheless, are In
clined to point out certain disadvan-
tages which must accrue to the United
States by reason of dilatory tactics in
arranging all final peace conditions
For one thing it is believed that IL
an early resumption of commerce can
be arranged the goods which the
United States has produced. under
government stimulation and at high
cost, can be disposed Of to better ad-
vantage as regards prices Further,
convinced that Germany is in the
great danger Of going over pre-
cipitously into bolshevism unless at
least beginning Of her normal indus
trial processes is made.
Although the allies have not
United States Army be used to police
Europe, it can be stated with all GER
tainty that it is not the intention Of
the President and his colleagues here
to employ our forces on such a task.
A strong sentiment is growing here in
favor of the earliest possible with
drawal of the American soldiers from
Europe.
The key to the whole situation lies
in the attitude taken by the allies
toward the new governments of Rus
sia and Germany. While individuals
on the American delegation are dis
France and of Great Britain subjects
such as the league of nations. free
dom of the seas, disarmament and
even matters affecting national
boundaries, such discussions are so
demic There has been no con-
ference on the part Of any one which
might be called even quasi official
These delegates Of Great Britain have
not yet arrived in Paris. although
they are expected. as are the Italians,
at the end of this week.
Presidents Progress
All the progress that can be report
ed is that President Wilson has used