The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-03
He Would COnsummate the
League of Nations Now.
In a Drive To Complete the
Work in Present Week.
FOR ALLIED FINANCIAL FRONT
Italian Envoy Has Plan for All
To Work Together.
Allies All Should Share Equally
in Hun Indemnity.


Paris, Feb. 3-President Wilson to-
day began his drive for consummation
of the league of nations program be-
fore the end of the week.
Refreshed by day of complete
rest, the president, following his ad-
dress on the subject of the league be-
fore the chamber of deputies this
afternoon, was to confer with the spe-
cial committee which is working on
details of the leagues outline. In this
meeting. to be held at the Hotel Grill
lon, work was to be taken up on the
definite constitution of the league.
upon which several tentative agree
| ments have already been reached.
The president is working in the
closest unanimity with Lord Cecil and
General Snluts on the draft for the
constitution, which provides for per-
| manent organization, to meet regular
| ly and to have machinery for arbitra-
/ ton and economic punishments. Com
plete agreement on the framework is
generally anticipated before Premier
! Lloyd George leaves for London at
| the end of the week.
President Wilson met with the peace
bureau this morning. The Balkan sit
| uation was discussed, with particular
reference to Greece's political and
territorial claims Premier VenizeIos
| was the principal speaker.
VIII Report to Congress
| The president has under considera-
| ton plans for reporting progress of
! the peace conference regularly to con-
gress in the future. Reports from the
| United States indicate there is need of
problems being worked out, as mis-
understanding is obvious. The tone
| of congressional debates is liable to
result in misapprehension by the 9TH
er delegates here.
| When Wilson arrives in the United
States three weeks hence-he is ex-
pected to sail February 14-he expects
sufficient progress to have been made
for a comprehensive report to con-
!gress.
and is expected to take full part in
the peace work this week.
| Step For Financial Unity.
| Proposals for the esta bIishment of
a single financial front for the allies
| have been submitted to the entente
ministers here by Signor Crespi, mem-
ber OF the Italian delegation, accord
Ping to statement made by him today.
After saying that the central powers
| must compensate the allies for the
damage suffered during the war,
| Signor Crespi said:
| oH the OlIleT mana, all the al1eS
| have suffered immense losses and they
must all benefit from the indemnities
which the enemy is to pay. Each one
should receive in proportion to the
effort 1T has made. Thus smaller
| states that have spent more than
| larger ones in comparison to their
wealth ought to receive larger in
IDENTITIES in proportion. Absolute
fairness ought to be preserved in the
division of indcmnities.
In a Common Pool.
''The simplest way to carry out the
actual distribution would be to put
the entire fund into a common pool,
which could be periodically appor-
toned among the different nations
The fund should be augmented by
taxes of a universal character levied
on all the states enemy, allied OF
neutral, the last named having bene-
fitted from the sacrifices made by the
allies. Such taxes might be levied
on exports and imports and also on
coal and raw materials. 1t seems to
have benefited and even grown rich
thru the suffering and sacrifices OF
the allies, should be made to help COM
pensate the allies. Such a tax would
not weigh more heavily on one state
than on another, since 1t would be
universal 1t would merely have the
| effect of raising prices on some GER
tain particular products in all coun-
tries alike.
1.-The enemy should be forced to PAY
off as soon as possible the allies debts
The international tax would furnish
interest on the rest and sinking fund
for paying it off eventually. In my
opinion, the enemy ought to be al.
lowed to pay not only in gold but ir
raw materials and finished products
| Part of their debt might be covered
| by bonds which they would take VI
| gradually in exchange for goods de
livered TO the allies.
Length of Working Day.
Another important question in.
volved is that of the length of the
working day. A days labor in Ger
many before the war was very long
If it continues now they will be abb,
to produce more cheaply than we can
| Therefore International laws on thi
, from points in Montana and Nortl
question have become essential
Another problem is that of ex
change between different nations. Tt
cite an example, my own country
when peace is re-esta blished, will hav,
, to import very largely to replenlsf
repleted stocks. This will have a dis
astrous effect on our money unless tn,
states control exchange l, therefore
consider that the present state contro
of import and export trade must con
tinue for some time"
What Norway Wants.
Christia MIA, Norway, Feb. 9Th,
council of the Norwegian society TO
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