Evening star., 1919-03-16
CONSIDER BRIDGING
PERIOD FOR SENATE
! TO ACT ON TREATY
American Delegates Seek
Way Not to Delay Other
Legislation.
SAY PACT TO BE Definite,
NOT A preliminary ONE
Britons Would Let League Wait to
Hustle Matters, But Will Let
President Decide.
BY the Associa ted Press.

1,y lic hhSoCiutcO ieSSs
PARIS, March 15.-The American
peace delegates are considering bridg-
ing over the period between the sig
nature of the peace treaty and the rati-
fcation of the treaty by the United
States Senate by "modus vivendi" de-
claring hostiiities ended as > date of
the signature, so as not to delay the
termination of certain war legislation
and to enable the resumption immedi-
ately of normal trade, while affording
the Senate the necessary time for con-
sideration.
May Call Special Session.
The question of calling a special ses-
sion Of the Senate Immediately after
the signing of the treaty has also
been under consideration.
President Wilson authorizes the
statement that there has been no
change in the original plan for link
ing together the league of nations and
the peace treaty.
The plan was enunciated by the
peace conference itself at the first
p1enary session and. it Is added. there
has been no departure thus far from
the order then laid down.
Await President to Act.
The supreme war council resumed
its sessions this afternoon. with a dis
tnguished array Of military and
civilian chiefs, expecting that Presi-
dent Wilson would be present for the
final consideration Of the military.
disarmament
The President did not attend. how
ever. Col. House taking his place. as
&he draft OF the terms in treaty form
ha6 not been completed in time to
permit Of study before the meetink
The President received the full draft
late this Afternoon, and went over II
tonight article by article with Gen.
Bliss and Admiral Benson at the Paris
White House.
With the President absent, the
council deferred its military and
naval terms until Monday.
May Delay Treaty.
The Polish frontiers of Germany
was the next subject on the program,
but the British prime minister was
not present to proceed. SO this also
was deferred. Mr.. Lloyd George left
the council room soon after learning
that President Wilson would not
attend, and proceeded to the White
House" for conference on the
situation.
The inevitable delays on various de-
tails lead to doubts for the first time
in American quarters on completing
the treaty by March 25, as was ex-
pected. 1t has developed also that
Mr.. Lloyd George is obliged to return
to London the middle of the coming
week, and he is unable to say how
long he will be gone, owing to the
British labor congress and other sub
3eots requiring his attention in Lon
don. 1t is hoped that he will return
within a week or ten days. or possibly
turn over British interests to Mr. Bal
four. but his absence may have the
effect Of prolonging the conclusion Of
the treaty beyond the 25th-
Treaty to Be Definite.
Il was stated at American head
quarters that the treaty now being
framed would be the definite treaty
covering all ths main subjects, and
would not be a preliminary treaty. 1t
is the treaty which will be submitted
to the United States Senate for rati-
fication, and after its conclusion the
remaining details will be largely
formalities.
No decision has yet been made con-
cerning the seat Of the league of ma
tions. but the minister Of fsA.eign af-
fairs of BelFium has written Offering
one Of the historic palaces of Brussels
as the home OF the league, II Brus-
sels Is chosen. The prevailing Amer
ican sentiment continues to be favor
able to Geneva.
England Would Let League Wait
II President Wilson insists that the
league of nations be incorporated in
the preliminary peace treaty the
British. 1t is understood. will concede
the point, although they still believe
that the preliminary pact is not the
proper place for the inauguration of
the league. which they declare should
L..