The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-04-07
PRESIDENT HAS
RESUMED WORK
Considers Confidential Re-
ports From Germany Regard
ing Economic Situation.
NEED OF RAW MATERIALS
Some Progress Made in Modi-
flying Rhenish Frontier,
Pushing Up Peace Treaty.
(By John Edwin Nevin.)

QenC wilson ndQ recovered Su11Clent-
ly from his severe cold today to take
up consideration of peace problems
again. He is considering confidential
reports from Germany dealing with
the economic situation.
These reports, compiled by special
attaches of the American economic
commission. declare that se- ment in
business circles throughoufc iermany
is very anxious. The majfS " of the
German industries have bi, 4 tied up
by sporadic strikes. TheIr DOR lead
ers are demanding a lven- hour
workday, while the scar y of food
has increased discontents { D a dan
gerous degree.
Summed up, the req is declare
that: 1T is impossiblelT tr Germany
to resume industriallyE inless fur
nished with raw mater s and given
markets abroad. All at is left of
Germany's industries , their hands
and heads, of which advantage must
be taken or a catastrophe may fol-
low"
President Wilson plans. as soon as
possible, to outline to the big four his
exact position and insist that the
claims of America be accepted with
out any longer waste of time. A more
optimistic feeling pervades American
circles now.
Fhe Journal, in commenting today
upon the Italian-Ju -Slovak terri
-torial dispute, expressed the opinion
that arbitration by President Wilson
is the only solution.
1t was expected that If the presi-
dent continued to improve, Admiral
,Grayson would allow President Will
son to resume his active deliberations
with the big four this afternoon.
The delegates hoped to give final
consideration to the reparations
question this afternoon and reach a
satisfactory agreement.
Some progress has been made in
modifying the Rhenish frontier, but
the belief is prevalent that it will
take another week to settle the trou-
blesome Adriatic' problem.
All the delegates are now striving
to have the peace treaty ready by
Easter.
Just what course will be adopted
when the Germans are called in has
not been definitely decided, accord
ing to report in circulation. 1t has
been previously stated on high au-
thority that the Germans would not
be allowed to discuss any of the
points. but would be told to "sign on
the dotted line" However, the pre-
diction is now made in certain quar-
ters that the Germans will be allowed
to discuss some of the terms. This
prediction Is not officially authorized
and would be strongly opposed on the
ground that it would prolong the ne
gotiations to an inordinate length of
This will be an important week
Tor the fate of the league of nations
covenant. The new draft will be un-
der consideration by the league Of
nations commissions along with ia
pans demand for racial equality and
the question of writing in the Mon
roe doctrine to maintain its integrity.
with Premier Paderewski of Po-
land IN Paris, Polish questions are
now due to come up for consideration
this week also.
The presence here of Premier Pad
erewski. of Poland, has added an
other stormy petrol to the generally
chaotlc international situation. The
Polish premier makes no conceal
ment of dissatisfaction over the lat-
est armistice terms covering the
transfer of Polish troops. whereby IT
was agreed that they should pass
through Germany by way of rail-
ways.
Premier Paderewski and his asso-
GATES foresee the failure of their
original demand that Danzig be
made a Polish port. It Is expected
that Premier Paderewski will en-
deavor to influence the peace COM
missioners to make the declaration
that Danzig is actually Polish terri
tory. The general opinion in Paris is
that Danzig will be made an open
port, despite the protests of Pader-
ewski.
1t is believed that events are rap
idly approaching complete SHOW
down." possibly within the next for
ty-eight hours.
Despite his illness. President Will
son spent Sunday afternoon with the
entire American delegation in his
bedroom. They conferred more than
an hour and a half.
The entire situation as revealed up
to date was canvassed and sugges-
tions were accepted from each men,
Der. While no statement was given
out at its conclusion, officials close
to the president declared that "the
president is firm against any COM
promise which would defeat the pur-
oose Of the original plans of the
United States. He was never more
insistent that the peace treaty be
based absolutely on justice and not
on compromise. The American sitG-
alton has never been subject to conf
Tho g., ;o;
nally laid down should be the actual
framework of peace when the treaty
is signed. The next few days. and
possibly the next few hours, may re-
veal whether it is possible for the
allied and associated powers to reach
an amicable agreement which will
make IL impossible for further wars,
or whether the present conference
must be broken off. The fate of the |
world is actually upon the knees o.
the gods at present"
Actual Position.
The actual position of the peace |
as this week COM
nences follows:
1. The league of nations constitu |
lion has been completed.
.. An international labor agree
nent has been reached.
3. At least one and possibly two |
olenary sessions of the conferences
Ire scheduled for the present week /
o pass upon completed programs.
4. Reports of the financial experts |
If all the powers now completed and
n the hands of the various govern
nents are ready for consideration by |
he big four.
8. Reparation demands of all the
nations have now been reduced to
writing and are in possession of the
eaders.
Spells Progress.
This means that much progress
las been made toward the actual |