The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-17
Pichon Announcement Is. De-
MED by American Officials.
Wilson Will Make Strong Fight
to Put 1t in Treaty.
NEED IT
He Feels That They Should
Have League as Planned.
Wants Early Peace-The Coun-
ell Will Meet Today.

= Paris, March 17.-Foreign Minister
Pfchon's claim that the league of ma
lions will not be included in the pre-
Ifminary peace treaty was emphati-
calIy denied today in American Off
cial circles.
President Wilson and the other
American commissioners are standing
pat on it's inclusion, it was stated.
Surprise was expressed that Pinchon
should hold views to the contrary.
The president, it is known- intends
of the league. He feels that France
and Great Britain need the league
even more than America. Hence.
Pichon's statement astounded and
somewhat piqued the Americans.
For an Early Peace.
An early peace is desired by Pres
ident wilson, it was stated. and he
holds that inclusion of the league in
the pact is vital TO America. He was
said to be especially surprised at
Pichon's action in view of the fact
that the French. along with the 9TH
ers signed the pienary resolution in
January for the leagues inclusion.
The president planned to attend
this afternoons meeting of the SUI
preme war council, and those close to
him believed that a re-statement of
his position might be Forthcoming.
FlCnUH, WHO Ills statement
yesterday in his weekly conversation
with correspondents, declared that
aItho fundamental principles of the
final peace are laid down in the pre-
iiminGry treaty, the league of nations
probably will not be included. He
said that Wilson had not asked that
it be included. The question is yet to
be decided, he said, but inasmuch as
neutral countries will be asked to SUBJ
nit their opinions regarding the league
before final adoption of the covenant.
he believed the preliminary pact would
be signed before the league is COM
pIeted-
Pinchon, WILL end the state of war but
will not permit Germany to resume
full relations with other countries The
blockade will not be lifted completely
before the final treaty He said the
question of German-Austria has rot
been taken up but that the allies may
offer certain advantages to that coun-
try if it remains independent. which
will not be allowed if it persists in
uniting with Germany.
Adds Fire to Fight.
Washington, March 17.-Appareni
disa greement between President viii
| son and Foreign Minister Pichon as
| to whether the league of nations cove
nant could be embodied in the frs
| peace treaty COHipACACu Will
| added fire to the league fight today.
| Administration officials here were
| obviously confused at the situation
| arising in Paris It had been the
view here that the first or ;'prelimi
| nary treaty with Germany would be
| virtually only an extension of tbs
| armistice, not subject to ratifica tior
| by the senate and therefore not nee
essa rily containing the league cove
nant. United Press dispatches today
however. indicate that the prelimi
| nary treaty will be subject to senate
ratifica ton and will cover most of tn,
peace treaty articles, including thos,
| for reparation and ind amnities and 70
arranging boundaries.
In view of this the president vii
certainly carry his fight to a finisl
for embodiment of the league in tn
first treaty.
| Obstacles in the path of this figh
involve the calling of a meeting o
neutraIs on March 2e-just five day
before the preliminary treaty wit
Germany is now scheduled to be read
for neutral views on the league o
nations question. Also the incFeasin
demands for an early peace in all tn
allied countries and the growing seri
| BUSINESS of the situation in Germany a
disclosed by a United Press dispatc
| from Berlin today, indicate ther
might be little enthusiasm over an at
tempt by the president to pro1on
completion of the treaty by insistin
upon injection of the league covenan
The presidents predicament led t