The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-13
League of Nations Committee
Has Proposition Up Today.
French Urge Establishment of
Huge Army and Navy.
TO Be INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR
British and Americans Said To
Oppose the Plan.
Wilson Ready To Leave for
Home Friday Night.

l. Paris, Feb 13.-Whether a general
session of the peace conference will
be held this week was still doubtful
today. At the conclusion of this
mornings meeting of the league of
nations committee, seven articles of
the re-draft Of the constitution had
been completed. The question of an
international police force, proposed by
the French, had not been reached
when the committee resumed its ses-
sion at $3.50 this afternoon.
Paris, Feb. 13-The commission or
the society of nations resumed its ses-
siors at 1890 o'clock this morning
with a full attendance of the members
to receive the report of the drafting
committee. II was hoped to reach
final adjustment at today,s sitting.
The question of establishment of a
huge international military naval >po-
lice force under the league of nations
was to be threshed out. The proposal
is understood to have been submitted
by the French. The American and
British delegates are said to oppose II.
The belief was expressed that dis
cussion of this new article might pre-
vent acceptance of the constitution to-
day, and thus eliminate possibility of
presenting the draft to the general
peace congress Friday. President VIII
sons plans to leave Paris for home
Friday night, in this event, would have
to be changed Not only has he been
selected to read the constitution at the
plenary session but he wishes to take
a copy back to the United States with
him. A special train had been ordered
and all plans made for his departure
Friday night If the committee fails
to reach an agreement today, how
ever, his going will be postponed I'M
til Sunday night.
The proposal for a big international
army and navy is said to have been
included in one of the two new arti-
cles proposed by the French. 1t is
understood they wished the army to
be stationed in France as a guarantee
against future aggression by any ma
ton, in the belief that France consti-
tutes the strategic center of Europe.
Previous to introduction of this plan
a tentative agreement had been reach
ed that no such force was to be
formed, and that the leagues decision
will be enforced by moral suasion and
economic pressure.
There was the widest speculation to-
day as to the basis of the report circu-
lated in certain French circles late
BrNish had agreed to the plan for
sum an international, police force. II
| can be stated on the highest authority
that the report is unfounded
French Modify the Plan.
Another report said that France had
modified its original plan in favor of a
| military board which would direct any
necessary martial operations by the
League. This board which would re-
place the proposed international army
| and navy, would keep in touch with
political developments and draw upon
the nearest available troops or fleet to
throw a protective screen about threat
ened nations.
The president devoted most of his
time today to official business. In ad-
dition to presiding at the league COM
| mittee meeting he was to receive a
special representative from the Bel
glan government and formally express
| his regret that he would be unable to
| visit Belgium this trip with the hope
that he could do so on his next Euro
pean journey.
| He Will Return Soon.
President Wilson, in his address to
members of the French association for
society of nations at the Murat palace,
| indicated he was convinced that work
| on the league of nations will not be
completed before his return to the
United States.
81 am confident that after my re-
| turn to France we will celebrate its
completion at least in its advanced
| stage" he said.