The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-10
LLOYD GEORGE
DELAYS PEACE
CONFERENCES
Failure to Reach Paris May
Keep Wilson From
Participating.
IDEAS NOW FACE TEST
League of Nations Plan, Still
Vague, Must Be Put Into
Concrete Form.
by LAURENCE HILLS.
StoF Correspondent Of THE SUN

StoT Correspondent Of THE SUN.
Copyright 1919; ali rights rese,red.
PARIS, Jan. 9.-The failure of Pre-
mier Lloyd George to reach Paris to-
day caused President Wilson great
disappointment as 1t will not be pos
sible to convene the conference before
next week. His absence is holding
up the entire work of the peace con
ference, and there are serious doubts
now that much can be accomplished
before 1t Is time for the President to
return to the United States.
The British Premier evidently Is
facing tremendous difficulties at home
in rehabilitation and in labor trou-
bles. The Irish question also is re-
ported growing acute again. The
Americans admit the difficulties of his
keeping his engagement here, but are
showing great disappointment over
the continued delays.
Much disappointment is expressed
in the French press that President
Wilson has not as yet consented to
visit the devastated region. The
President. however is adhering to his
decision not to take this trip now,
holding that it Is unnecessary. The
French regard 1t as most important
in view Of their claims for indemni-
ties and reparatlon.
watching Italian situation.
At the Presidents conferences to-
day with Premier Clemenceau and
Foreign Minister Sonnino this matter
was discreetly put aside. The Presi-
dent spent some time to-day with Son.
nino and Premier Orlando. but nothing
was forthcoming as to the result OF the
conference. Sonnino IS the leading
Italian inperialist. and II was his de-
mands in this direction that led to the
resignation OF Bissolati from the Cabi-
net. the latter being the chief exponent
Of the Wiisonisn ideas in Italy.
The Italian situation is being
watched with great interest here. the
great demonstrations for the Presi-
dent, following the Bissolati resigna-
ton. creating a feeling OF great uncer-
tainty.
The belief now prevails that no con-
ference can Re held before Tuesday.
So many questions must be taken up
by the President that it may be he will
have to content himself with generali-
ties before he leaves.
The Presidents announcement that
he vii! consider himself merely the first
American delegate. and not the Presi-
dent. means that Premier Clemencesu
will sit at the head OF the peace table.
President Wilson. having received the
acclaim Of the people during his tri-
umphal tour. is now plainly facing the
most critical hour of his European
visit
specihc Plan Is Due.
With the round table talks about TO
begin his abstract idea Of league OF
nations. which plainly was responsible
for the ovations he received, no longer
counts The definite. specific plan must
now be laid before the cool, calculating.
Old World statesmen. who are not yet
convinced that the world can be made
over In n hurry. and who see In the
present situation cold hard facts which
make them reluctant 10 give up the the
ortes on which their safety in the future,
In their opinion, depends.
The astonishing feature is that at this
eleventh hour no concrete. workable
plan for a league of nations has been
produced, and even in recent parleys
generaities for the most part were
INDUCED in. Ordinarily this would pre-
clude the possibility of success for
President Wilson's plan of making IT
the cornerstone or the peace treaty, an
idea to which he is attached more
strongly than ever as the result OF his
tour
The opposition OF Premier Ciemen-
ceau and Foreign Minister Sonnino to
giving UP the old order would be un-
compromising, It ia believed. were II
not that new factor Is plainly caus-
ing concern This is the social unrest
that is now seen everywhere In Europe.
Continued on Third Page.