New-York tribune., 1919-04-09
Wilson Determined
Against Concessions

self, spoke to Ray Stannard Baker
on ms return from his evening visit
TO President Wilson last night.
baker said the President told him
ne intended to stand upon his prin-
olples, which the Allies accepted in
the armistlce terms and other docu-
ments, and does not mind If this
tact is publicly known.
Baker also said that the report
was untrue that Mr. Wilson had set
any time limit for the Allies to
formulate a peace which conforms
to his principles. He said that Mr..
Wilson remarked to him:
What is the use of a league of
nations If an unjust peace is made?"
Baker was not authorized to
state the significance of the recall
by the President of the liner George
Washington, which has been used
as the Presidential transport be-
tween America and France.
The President said that Premier
Clemenceau has within the last week
been arguing for the annexation of
German territory.
Mr.. Baker declined to comment
on the situation between the Presi
dent and Colonel House. 1t is un-
mistakably evident, however, that
Colonel House deplores Mr.. Will
sons drastic action and is endeav-
oring to reconcile the conflicting
elements and save the situation
from calamity.
Recently Baker informed me that
the President would make a public
statement of his case if he found |
the views of the United States and I
the Allies hopelessly irreconcilable.
The present threat would seem.
therefore, to be the Presidents
penultimato move
A Terrible Blight
On the Conference
From another source equally HIGH
l learn that Mr.. Wilson is worn out.
hike the other members Of the coun-
ell of four, and is irritated. 1t is
evident that Lloyd George was
soothed by Colonel Houses amia-
bility, and on the strength of that
and facing as he did constant crit
icisms and press attacks and politi-
cal difficulties at home, gave out an
encouraging statement on Saturday.
A terrible blight has been cast
upon the conference, which only
Saturday rejoiced in the British
announcement that practical agree
olent had been reached on all the
important questions. Correspon-
dents could not refuse to cable such
information directly impaired from
so high source and substantially
eo,Toborated by the highest source
ln the Crillon Hotel but, neverthe
less, as cablegrams indicated. mis-
givings survived.
1t was known that Colonel House
was negotiating in President Will
sons place, and it was suspected
that Colonel House and Mr.. Wilson
had not seen 'eye to eye" for some
time. The Allied delegates have
stated that Colonel House was rea-
sonable man, while for weeks MANY
have been significantly calling Pres
adent Wilson the call highest"
'Ihe Progress While
Wilson Was Away
1t viii be remembered that Colo
mel House made great progress
during Mr.. Wilson's absence in
America. The President found l
complete and permanent armistice s
terms drafted on his return and ,
agreements reached by several SUBJ
committees and commissions on vari- !
Gus matters. 1t will also be remem-
bered how Just three weeks ago t
that is, just two days after his re- 8
turn to Paris-Mr. Wilson repudi- ,
ated practically everything the colo I
mel had accomplished. letting it be
known that no American but himself I
possessed plenary powers. I
Ten days ago the Presidents press
agents-who are intimate with him !
and would not dare to make such S
statements except on his instruc c
tcns-~informed a few correspond '
ents whose papers especially support t
the President and his policies that ;
he would depart from the conference t
unless the Council of Four came to {
an agreement according to his views
within n short time.
When Mr.. Wilson fell i'll last t
Thursday Colonel House was sum-
moned to continue the conferences (