New-York tribune., 1919-04-13

terms Of peace are not yet drafted, and
obstacles in the way Of such drafting
remain considerable. WEAKNESS, i'm
patience, anger are being more and
more expressed in British and French
papers over delays. The Paris Con-
ference has lost prestige in Europe.
The American representatives have lost
the popular confidence in no small
measure, and the consciousness of this
change is everywhere visible.
The Wils0n-Ceorge Duel
What actually happened a week ago
was that Lloyd George suddenly dis
covered that his policy in the Paris
conference had aroused profound criti-
cism and distrust in Great Britain, that
the majority of his new House Of
Commons, elected on the promise to
make Germany pay the costs of the
war, was becoming restless at what
seemed to be concession on Mr. Lloyd
Georges part in matters of financial
interest to England. The statement
was frequently made in the British
press and in Parliament that the Brit
ish Prime Minister was sacrificing both
Great Britain and France to American
policy, and precisely the same sort Of
emotion began to be visible in Paris,
where the French press more and more
openly protested against seeming dcser-
tion of them by their British allies
10 this storm. Lloyd George bowed
His next step was characteristic. 1t
was essential to his own political ex-
good his promise that Germany would
have to pay the costs Of the war. 1t
was equally essential to Premier Gle
menceau that Germany should pay the
cost to France of the struggle which
had devastated French provinces and
ruined French industries. 1t was es-
sential for Mr. Wilson that he should
be able TO carry back to America
league Of nations treaty so amended az
to satisfy objections made by Repub-
lican Senators and, at least, needed by
the American public. Above all, 1t
was essential that he should persuade
his associates in Paris TO consent TO
modify the covenant of the league Of
nations In such fashion M not TO ex-
elude the Monroe Doctrine from ts
operation,
This offered Lloyd George chance
which he did not overlook OF sud,
den Mr.. Wilson was Informed that
Great Britain found serious difficulties
In the way of amending the covenant
of the league Of nations to conform to
Mr.. Wilson's own application of Amer
ican criticism. Reduced to it's simplest
terms, the British Prime Minister
found an unalterablc objection in tho
way Of giving Mr.. Wilson what was
necessary for the Presidents purposes
in America while Mr.. Wilson remained
obdurate in the matter of concessions
vital alike to Lloyd George and Gle
mcnceau in their own constituencies.
Il la DisraeIi
We have had, then, one Of the most
striking and dramatic diplomatic duels
Of the Paris conference 1t has been
recalled that on an historic occasion
at the Berlin conference, Lord Beacons-
field ordered special train to take
him home. since English interests were
being compromised. in his opinion, by
the course of the Berlin delegates
Obviously, Mr.. Wilson has taken a leaf
from Disraeli's book, but in this case
he has been confronted by counter
offensive on the part of Lloyd George.
AS it stands at the moment, the result
of this episode would seem to be
concession on Mr.. Wilson's part, in
duced by reluctance on Mr.. Lloyd