Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-04-05
PRESIDENT WILSON AND TIKI
I.EACE CONEEitENCE.

PRESIDENT WILSON AND THt
l'lGACE CONElIltENCE.
The la est nows from the Peace Con-
orence in Paris is disquict.ng and
indicates that the warning factions
in Europe have virtually reached the
stage whore they have n diplomatic
WAX among themselves That Prcsi-
dcut Woodrow Wilson is the central
Figure i'll the midst Of this most en-
barrassing situation is admitted. This
is due 20 the fact that the armisticc
signed by tho German plenipotentiar-
les and their allies was based upon
President Wilson's fourteen points In
his remarkable peace letter. That the
dis inguishod American President is
having tho tine OF hjs Life Is plainly
evident from the communications now
being sent from Paris. Mr.. Albert w.
Fox the worry able correspondent OF
the Washington Post In the issue Of
that journal Of tho lat inst. says:
Despite disturbing reports from
Paris that President Wilson contem
plates Issuing statements defending
himself against charges that he Is de-
laying peace and seeking to ace tho
blame elsewhere. and despite hints
That tho President may summarily
terminate his part In the negotiations
and leave for America. the situation
q regarded In official and diplomatic
circles as rather improved.
The acute tension reelected In the
cables l., viewed as indicative OF i'm
ponding decisions with the champions
OF each policy now holding out to
tho bittor end while hoping that op-
position will give way. 1t Is not be-
loved, however, that any Of the lead
Grs seriously contemplate rendering
Bankrupt tho work or the peace con-
fGrcnce. Tho threats and counter
threats are takLn merely as signals
that denait, ucLIon is at last on It's
way.
This is an optimistic way Of stating
Tue S .tuat,on in Europe and far--see-
Ing citizcus may read between the
tinca tho direct information that he
looms up on the horizon as a most i'm
portan factor. Having secured recos-
milton us ono Of tho Great Powers,
she is demanding that til S rccogni-
the lA,ent that hcr citizens be accord
ed all OF the rshts and privileges ac-
GTrdch nc subjects and citizens of
any OF the other Great Powers. This
equal ty and the recognition Of thls
equality in the draft of the ConStitu--
ton of the &c; cue or Nations that
Is to be adopted by, the assembled re-
Peace Conference.
Just how President Wilson and the
other Amer can delegates can avoid
aeccding o Japan's demands in view
DeciaHa ion OF Independence is the
question. rhe American instrument
reads:
Eve hold these truths to be self
evident: that all men are created
equal"
That tho Japanese are willing and
dnxious TO have this exact language
snbod ed In the Constitution of the
League Of ,.alions hardly admi s of a
question. WIN he American de'ega-
ton permit It to he engrafted and
written in the Instrument? Certainly.
inu cations are that 1t will become
GYon more emharr 'ssing. The Fren h
representatives arc vainly endeavor-
Tag to break down aome Of the prov's
ions in President Wilson's Fourteen
Points. TO do 20 ia to invite q re-
fueal 10 si"n 'hc peace terms on the
part OF the German Republic. This
viii necessarily cn"ee .ho Repreecn-
tafivc from the United States to sup
port the Germana In their contea-
TONS
IT Is evident that the ideals for
Wh'rh 'hn dieti"r"'ch"H hmoric"n
Wi:c' Executive hne been contonding
arc ""' Lang rcroe"i1cd nv many OF
Che eniF'sh snmi-c 'viIi,od n"tions with
which ne Is associatine The co'orod
people in tbs country ore wat hing
tn scSsi"na Of the Peace Conference
with 'r'orra', rcol'zino and hel;nving
hat ont If this cauldron OF Disagree
S,ent WIZ come TIE rc"ogn' ion OF
crcnt rr'ncirtes the enunciatson and
Gsract cing or Which will lead to the
Hettermon' OF conditions for them in