The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18
To be Submitted for Inclusion
in Preliminary Peace
Treaty With
Germany.
SPEED OF PROCEEDINGS
Working for Peace as Soon as POS
sibie, with Other Questions to
be Taken Up
Later
IBy Fred s. Ferguson, United Press
Staff CorresponGent


STAFF Correspondent
PARIS, March 1S.-The league of
rations covenant, as 1t is to be sub
itted Tor inclusion in the prelimi-
nary peace treaty with Germany, will
&c ready Saturday, 1t was indicated
I'D certain official circles today.
AT the same time it was stated that
the entire treaty, including the cove
nant, will be completed by week
from Saturday.
In view of varying reports as to
whether the covenant would be a
part OF the preliminary treaty, 1t was
pointed out that it's inclusion is fur
ther indicated by the speed with
which the constitution Is being per-
rected. Some reports have dwelt es-
pecially on the allegation that an at
tempt to incorporate thu league IN the
pact will slow up the general peace
work. This argument is met by the
statement that the covenant is now
further advanced than any other
feature of the treaty. The committee
on responsibility for the war has
reached the stage of combining the
reports of its various subcommittee
INTO single recommendation, but the
other committees are not nearly so
far advanced.
Neutral representatives are now
calling on Colonel House daily to pre-
sent their views of the league. Swe-
den, Switzerland, Denmark and Hol-
land already have been heard from.
AIDED to the prospects for early COM
pletlon OF the peace program Is the
TACT that Premier Lloyd-George has
Practically decided not to return to
England this week as he had planned.
lie and President Wilson, Premier
Glemenceau and Premier Orlando will
hold frequent conferences during the
week, IN addition to the regular meet
lngs OF the supreme war council. The
president Is discussing the league
with Lord Cecil and other experts,
Senator Bourgeois, the French expert
has conferred with House and others
and Is known to have made no sug-
gest1on that the covenant not be in
GUIDED IN the preliminary treaty.
Some discussion has arisen In favor
OF making the preliminary pact cover
austria, Bulgaria and Turkey, so as to
make Germany responsible for her al
lies. This Is regarded as unlikely.
however, as 1t would require a
month to change the treaty in this
respect, whereas the demand every
where is for making peace with Ger.
many as soon as possible, taking up
the other treaties later.
Rekuested to Remain.
PARIS, March 18.-Premier T1oyd
George at yesterdays meeting of the
supreme war council, was handed a
letter signed by President Wilson.
Premier Clemenceau and Premier Or
lando, asking that he postpone his
visit to London for fortnight it
was learned today. Lloyd-G aorgo re-
piled that he must consult his col.
leagues in LonGon before changing
hi, Iians.
Opposite Views.
LONDON, March 1S.-The News
and Post. the only morning news
papers to comment editoriaiiy re-
gaTding inclusion of the league of
nations in the preliminary peace
treaty took opposite views today.
President Wilson and the minority
in his own country are trying TO
force the league down the senate's
throat" said the Post. TN the same
way they are trying to compel the
peace conference to accept it. The
league means that England's foreign
policy would be directed by an inter
national committee This would
necessitate change in the British
constitution, and 1t ought to be con-
sidered by parliament before adop-
ton"
mo one wants to delay peace, but
1t is profound mistake to omit the
league of nations from the terms"
said the News. eff the opposition to
President Wilson in America sue
ceeds the league fails, for it win be
impossible to have the league with
out America"
Itaiy's Alleged Threat
PARIS, March 1S.--Italy's alleged
threat to withdraw from the peace
conference unless she is given Fiume,
was believed today to have been
averted by compromise. Through
this compromise, Italy will receive