The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-03-17
WILSON STANDS
FIRM ON HIS
LEAGUE IDEAS
Says II Must BE Part of Peace
Treaty.
1T MAY BE MODIFIED SOME.
Changes viii Be to Safeguard Monroe
Doctrine And Satisfy oppon-
ents in U. S.

Paris, March l6.-The determina'
ton with which the president put
his foot down for the inclusion Of the
league of nations in any peace treaty
preliminary or final, rather took the
British delegation by surprise, for
Andre Tardieus unqualified state
ment Thursday tnat the league OF ma
tions covenant would not be included
had not apparently been objected to
by the American delegation.
In fact the whole tendency of the
discussions recently, both in the con-
ference and in the press, had been
implicitly In the direction Of leaving
the league for future settlement, on
the ground of the urgency of getting
Germany back to work by the ac-
ceptance of the preliminary terms.
1t is understood that the prelimi-
nary terms have entirely changed in
their character since the president
left Paris. To begin with they were
merely military. but when after dis
cussion it had been understood, If not
agreed that they should not include
financial terms, these terms were in
cluded on much more extensive
scale than even when originally sug
gested. and the president now finds
them embodied in the preliminary
terms.
There is no doubt that the British
are 50 anxious TO get the prelimi
nary terms signed that they are pre-
pared TO take the risk on the league
which the president is resolved 10
prevent at all cost. There appears
also some anxiety jtt British quarters
lest French hostility to some OF the
military terms. notably the abolition
Of conscrlption in Germany, may lead
the French to reconsider their posi-
ton there by raising a question
which. in view of Premier Lloyd
Georges uncompromising attitude,
might seriously emburrass the whole
peace situation.
But at the same time 1t is perfectly
understood that the president takes
stand inexorably on the question Of
principle, and it is felt that he will
carry his point despite any apparent
difficulties and apprehensions that
may be expressed in the first envis-
agement of the new situation.
Paris, March lG.-Etforts are being
directed today to shaping the league
of nations covenant as TO insure its
acceptance by the supreme council
and win the approval of those Ameri-
cans who are demanding its amend.
mer.
Colonel House conferred with
Lord Robert Cecil, Leon Bourgeois
and the American delegates and re
ported TO President Wilson. 1t Is
conceded that some Of the suggest
cd amendments can safely be adopted
for instance. the safeguarding OF the
Monroe doctrine and the fixing OF
conditions which will permit of the
adherence OF the late enemy powers
Paris. March l6.-The present do
termination in peace conference
circles is that after the allied and as
sociated powers have reached n com
plete understanding regarding the
conditions to be imposed on German!
the German delegates will be called
to Versailles, but they will not be al
lowed to discuss the conditions, th,
intention OF the allied and associated
powers being to dictate peace
Either the German delegates mus
accept the terms and sign or stat'
OF war will continue The genera
opinion here is that in yeiw Of the II
ternal situation In Germany, the dele
gates OF that country will accep
rather than expose the country to
graver risk and more drastic meas
ures