The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-17

holding any concrete suggestion and
that OF other Governments In putting
out plans, some Of which have all but
expressed official sanction.
Three plans are now before the
world. so to speak; Lord Robert
Cecils, Gen. Smuts's and the French,
or Bourgeoise, plan. OF these the
strongest is the French plan-strong.
est in the sense that it would require
compulsory arbitration. backed BY
the force of five great Powers There
is deep suspicion that official backing
Of this plan is insincere.
Premier Clemenceau's reported in
tention now is to get into the lead at
once by offering the French plan first
at the initial meeting, but with the
Recommendation that II be taken up
after all other matters are settled
and the peace treaty virtually drawn
up. This, Of course, Is absolutely
contrary to President Wilson's pro-
gramme.
Cecil Idea More Nodera e.
Lord Robert Cecil's plan would
eliminate the compulsory feature en-
tirely and would have no interna-
tional force. Under his scheme there
would be merely an agreement to
submit disputed questions to the
10 hAr
opening hostilities, each nation re-
tanning sovereign rights.
The fact that Lord Robert is
now here as member of the British
mission and that he gave out the i'm
port of his plan in a formal interview
is taken to mean that he received il
imprimatur from Premier Lloyd
George and that 1t is the official Brit
ish suggestion.
The plan of Gen. SHUTS is midway
between the two, as 1t does not sane
tion the employment OF force by
ueighboring Powers. 1t requires IN
executive council with some real au-
thority and yet Is long way from
according the rights Of super sover.
eighty which might lead to req, dis
armament.
The British viewpoint is that the
freer and fuller discussion becomes
the more chance for the worlds opin.
ion to crystalline into world senti.
ment.
Theory of Wilson's Delay.
The Wilson policy, according to
the best information obtainable, is to
keep details secret until all other
cards are shown, on the theory that
he will be in better position thereby
to study the weak points of the other
plans. The weak point in this. as
seen here, Is that little II any time
viii be available for American senti-
ment to crystalline In favor Of the
Presidents plan, and with the ex-
treme likelihood that his plan will
evoke opposition in America when it
is finally published, such as would
deprive it Of the strength that any
American plan would have that had
gone through the FIRE Of American
debate.
The action Of the Supreme War
Council in clamping the lid on the
proceedings Of the peace conference,
in violation, 1t would seem, Of the
first Of the fourteen points, produced
to-day a very unfavorable reaction,
this being almost the sole topic of
conversation In conference circles.
joint Protest Is Made.
Two things accumulated the I'M
favorable impression, the first being
that while this action was official all
reference to 1t was omitted from the
communique. thus proving the incom-
pleteness and lack of value of these
statements, and second, that the &C
ton was invoked while the peace con-
ference is still in the preliminary
stages.
While the action stands, the British
and American protests, sent Jointly
to Premier Lloyd George and Presi.
dent Wilson, apparently have had the
effect of starting a discussion looking
10 reopening the matter. An alterna-
tive plan was suggested to-day under
which the correspondents would be
obliged to restrict the circulation of
certain news features
The question is now recognized rs
heing more far reaching than the
newspapers and that 1t involves the
whole relationship which the people OF
the world are to bear TO the confer.
ence that is shaping their destinies.
Italians support French.
The decision appears to have been
made by the French, supported by
the Italians. Nothing definite Is oh.
tainable concerning the position taken
by President Wilson, which is aruus.
ing the greatest interest. Whe her
he voted against the resolution is still
matter Of conjecture, anh the Presl.
dent remains absolutely silent, nos.
sibly feeling himself bound BY the
resolution. This Is rega rdet by hi,
friends ms unfortunate, as being cal.
culated to put him in mn embarrass.
ing position before America and the