The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-09
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adopted viii be the. simplest. possible
having the advantage of avoiding
laborious pour parlers and exchange
of notes between chanceIlories- 1t is
pointed out that the committee in
gu ,stion will be composed Of the
premiers and foreign ministers of the
allies, Mr.. Wilson figuring as Ameri-
can premier.
Not Long Debate.
1t is not expected there will be a
long debate at the conference this
morning, newspapers saying that the
French government communicated to
the entente powers some days ago a
complete plan of work amounting to
suggestion of a. co-ordinated pro-
gram. sz
As regards questions concerning
enemy countries it is understood that
those concerning Germany will be
taken up first, then those of Austria
Hungary and finally those relative to
Bulgaria and Turkey. These details
will probably not be decided upon I'M
til the league of nations part of the
program has been exhausted. how
ever.
The procedure now being discussed
is, roughly, as follows:
Agreement ON League
First. A general agreement between
the United States and the entente bel
ligerents for the creation of a league
of nations or similar machinery. to
enforce the terms of peace and pre-
serve it.
Second. The setting up of new in
dependent states growing out Of the
war. F
Third. The assessment of damages
and indemnities and the manner of
their payment.
Fourth. The conclusion of peace
The. peace treaties may be left to
the last because none of the agree
ments can bind the central powers
unless, in the meantime, they have
established governments which, satisfy
the peace conference as to their ability
treaties made. =
Wait ON Germany.
Al this point arises the question of
how long the peace congress will wait
for the central powers to arrange their
governments. 1t is pointed out by
some of those working on the prob
lem that neither Germany nor Austria
can complete their governmental ma
chinery until it is determined what the
two peoples desire in this matter. It
is, of course, dependent largely on the
peace congress, but it is not expected
that the congress will wait Indefinitely
for the central empires to prepare
themselves for an agreement 80 ):
There is always the possibility that
if no responsible government appear
to give assurance that obligations un-
| dertaken will be carried out, the ma
lions represented at the congress
could give notice that it would become
necessary at certain points to assist
in the formation of orderly govern
ment and at the same time begin to
collect revenues to apply on the bill
of damages.
AS a Last Resort. :. B. =
Such action if taken at all would be
only a last resort, but if taken the
question would arise as to how. far
the United States would participate
No official outline has been made to
show what the United States would
agree to do in carrying out such an
| undertaking, If it should become
necessary, but some of those best in
formed as to the lines~along which
Mr.. Wilson and the peace commits
sioners are working believe that it is
the purpose of the United States to go
no further into the REIMBURSEMENT of
European affairs than to secure gen.
| eraI adherence to the principles al
ready laid down by President Wilson
and then expect of course the" details
| to square with the. principles. The
execution of these details. some diplo-
mats believe. may extend into a work
of years, developing into a process OF
constant improvement and. adjust
| Y11ent 3