The Washington herald., 1919-06-06
"TIGER" HOLDING
OUT AGAINST ANY
SOP PTOTEUTONS
Lloyd George and Clemen.
ceau In Continuous Duel
Of Eloquent Argument.
PRESIDENT IS PASSIVE
Wilson Urges Speed, as
Bernstorf Seizes Delay
For Advantage.

Paris, June 5.-The sessions of the
-big four have resolved themselves
for the present into a continuous
duel of arguments and eloquence be-
tween Premiers Lloyd George and
Clemenceau. the British chief max
ing a supreme effort to swing the
Tiger" around to the view OF the
British and American peace commits
sions in favor of certain modidca-
tions of the peace terms with Ger
many.
Today's sittings Of the council
were a marked example of this
matching of two master minds, and
were not without dramatic pas
sages, according to what little in
formation has crept out Of the con-
ference room.
Wilson Backs Briton-
President Wilson is temporarily
maintaining passive attitude
though understood to be giving his
full moral backing to Lloyd Georges
arguments on most Of the points at
issue.
The President, however, continues
to drive for speed in getting down
to a firm basis on which a reply may
be sent to the German counter pro-
posals. All conferees realize that
every day of further delay is stiffen-
ing the German governments back
bone. Count Won Bernstorff dexter
ousIy drawing the utmost adyan-
tages out of the situation in his
peace publicity campaign at home.
Premier Clemenceau. though just
as aware OF this danger as his col
leagues. argues that a far greater
menace lies in concessions to the Ger
mans. His chief point is that IF
we give them as inch they'll take
an ell" On this issue he is reported
to show a disposition to back down
the proposal to fix a total indem-
nifty sum. as originally urged by the
American delegation.
Strengthened by Cabinet.
He stands pat. however. on his re-
fusal to yield one iota as regards the
saar Valley and silesia clauses. and
his conference with his cabinet is
said to have strengthened him in his
stand, contrary to expectations that
his ministers were inclined to agree
with Lloyd George and President
Wilson.
To the Tigers" aid came today
Premier Paderewski of Poland. The
pianist-statesman in an impassioned
speech warned the powers that the
slightest yielding to the German de-
mands regarding Poland's claims and
awards would be inviting disaster. as
serting the Germans were already
scheming with the Russian Bolsheviki
to crush the reborn nation which is
to be a buffer state between Germany
and Russia.
The allies answer to the counter
proposals will 0e handed to the Ger
mans before June u.
Italy Not Satisfied.
The proposed solution of the Adri-
attic question has fallen short of Italy's
maximum concessions as a result OF
the attitude of the Jugo-Slavs. and
nothing remains but to fall back upon
the pact of London and demand its
full execution
1T is useless to worry about the
peace treaty when nothing but sad
and cruel news comes from Paris"
the Tribune. of Rome, says in an edi-
toriaI. "Italy's rights will not be
recognized and the eventual promises
certainly will develop that Italy's vic
tory really was detrimental to its
present and future interests
The Big Four have decided to call
in the TuTkish peace delegates. ac-
cording to an unofficial report The
exact date has not been fixed. The
Turks viii be considered merely as
'switnesses' rather than accredited
plenipotentiaries. They will have to
accept the conditions exactly as