Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-03
Differences Are Minimized
After Talk Between House
and Clemenceau
PRESIDENT GETS REPORT
British Leaders Will Be on
Hand When Wilson Re.
turns From Rome Trip
BY RICHARD v. OULAHAN
Special Gable Dispatch
Copyright. 1919, By Public LsdOer co.
1nd Nr,y rorI. T,;.,.. ~


Paris, Jan. 1 (delayed) Since his 70
turn from England last evening Presl
dent Wilson has had two talks with Col
onel House, the second this afternoon a
the Hotel Crillon. the headquarters O
the American peace delegation. II (,
supposed that these conferences related
mainly to the situation created by elem
enceau's speech. delivered while tn,
President was away from Paris Nc
statement has been authorized concern.
ing the sentiments of the President n,
the peace commission with reference tc
" the Premier's declaration. and mono is
likely but the impression Is gained tha,
the more general view In American quar-
ters is that nothing has yet occurrod
that will interfere with the ultimate cat
isfactory adjustment of the most i'm
portant questions coming before the
Peace Conference.
~ Attention is called to the statement of
the President concerning the terms Of
the peace treaty. which, coupled with
Clemenceaus admission that one ron =
son why he withheld Frances peace con-
ditions was that he might he Obliged 70
modify some of them. indicates that all
parties realize the necessity of showing
respect for the opinions of others
At this time. when the formal Inter-
Allied conferences are about to begin
there Is an inclination to eXaggerate the
Importance of every difference arising
between the nations concerned-that Is
those outside the inner circle of the con-
ferees are so inclined. But the history
of diplomacy is full of incidents where
obstacles. insurmountaple seemingly
were overcome through a process of
frank interchange of views, backed by
the common desire TO reach a harmon
ious understanding. And at no time in
the history of the world has this neces-
sity ever confronted friendly govern
ments as 1t now confronts the nations.
which have stood shoulder 20 shoulder in
bringing about the defeat of the Ger
man militaristic autocracy.
Prior to the Presidents return 10
Paris and subsequent to Clemenceau's
speech, Colonel House conferred with
Premier Clemenceau; and while au-
thoritative statements are lacking,
there Is no reason to doubt that they
had a most agreeable interview. Ger
tainly the Situation created by the
Premier's assertions. which first caused
considerable disquiet in American cir
cles, is not now regarded with the con-
Germ that came from the original read
ing Of them.
President and Mrs. Wilson left Paris
for Italy this evening. to be there
more than week. Lloyd George prob
ably Will be here when the President
returns,a nd the lnter-Allied exchan res
will be begun in more formal way.
Balfour is here, and already he and
Colonel House have mad a conversation.
The Presidents visit to England. where
the conferences with British official
representatives were characterized by
the utmost frankness, has done. much
to establish most cordial relationship
between the two governments in con-
nection with the peace situation, and
II is evident that an advanse has been
made toward a better understanding.
which means an advance toward bring
ing about harmonious working condi-
tions between the American and British
peace delegations, when the most seri-
Gus phase Of the conference begins