Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-19
Italians Not to
Arbitrate Claims

Continued from Page One
most responsible British American,
Italian and French quarters and prom.
ises to yield definite results within the
next few days. The first stage will be
in the permanent armistce plan, which
Marshal Foch will present within a fort
night, taking the place of the short
term armistice.
These permanent terms will be the
preliminary steps toward peace and VIII
be Incorporated into the peace treaty
TO follow. This will bring a peace treaty
measurably within sight.
Rush Essential Provisions
The present prospect is the first draft
of five or six essential provisions, which
will be ready when President Wilson re-
turns March 3 so that early action can
be secured by the full conference and
the enemy powers can be called in by
April. The Peace Congress with all the
powers represented would thus be con-
stituted by late spring and give pros
pect of the conclusion Of a peace treaty
by the early days os summer,
While such a plan is necessarily
elastic, owing to the range of subjects,
unforeseen circumstances and enemy
opposition, yet 1t s the plan which
those with chief influence hope to see
carried out, as a result of the syste-
matte procedure now being organized.
What appears TO be the main diff
Guilty is territorial boundaries, but vir-
tually all these issues are inter-ANied
and interpose no obstacle TO peace with
the enemy.
Meanwhile the Supreme War Council is
rapidly bringing together a permanent
armistice which will last until peace
is concluded. This is being first framed
by the military, naval and economic
experts. and then will finally be passed.
on by the Supreme War Council before
Marshal Foch presents it, which prob
ably will be within the next week or
ten days,
The principal feature is German dis
armament down to the requirements Of
an international police not exceeding
twenty-five division OF about ten or
twelve thousand men each, or a total
force of approximately 250,0O0 men.
Other restrictions will cover production
of armament of all kinds and the COM
plete disappearance OF the enemys SUI
marine equipment
Naval Terms Undecided
The naval terms. while Jointly agreed
to by the experts, have not yet been
approved by the war council. 1t is
the dismantling OF the fortificatious of
Helgoland and OF the kiel canal will
have some reservations from American
quarters, so as not to establish prec-
edent for the non-fortihcatiou OF
canals and waterways wholly within
American national boundaries, such as
He'll Gate, the Cape Cod canal and the
system of canals running parallel with
the Atlantic coast line.
The Panama canal has not come up
during the discussions, but suitable
reservations will be made so that no
precedent is established that will be
applicable to this waterway The dis
mantling of Helgoland reservations will
It is believed, have in view the estab-
lishment of precedent against the for
tifcation of islands lying along the
American coast, which are regarded as
part OF the coast defenses.
After hearing the Serbs Yesterday
their claims were referred 10 a com
mission, with the exception OF the issue
with Italy on the eastern Adriatic, on
which negotiations for an adjustment
are still proceeding.