New-York tribune., 1919-02-07
Wilson Finds More Vital
Problems Will Use Up All
the Time of Conference
Defer Question to League
French Press Growing More
Critical of President; Say
He ssAbsorbs All Power
By Frederick Moore
NcaD York Tribune
.SDecidl Cable Eeruica


Copyright. 1o19 New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Feb. 6.-I learn that the
question of the freedom of the seas,
on which President Wilson and Premier
Lloyd George both indicated that they
were in accord in principle, will not be
discussed in detail at the peace confer
ence, but will be relegated to consid-
Grafton by the league of nations after
its formation, as consideration here
would involve prolonged deliberation
and interfere with the more pressing
questions of settlement of peace terms
with Germany, including German dis
armament and Allied demobilization.
Mr.. Wilson evidently has discovered
that what are vital problems to Euro
pean states cannot too long be held in
allegiance while he endeavors to adjust
his league of nations programme to the
restrictions OF the American Constitu-
ton and the requirements of the Allies
for protection and relief from the pres
ent situation. He finds France, Great
Britain and Italy ready and able to
commit themselves to the league more
fully than he can commit the United
States, but unwilling to agree to what
they consider unjust and unsafe from
tier and reparation settlements with
the Central Powers and also unwilling
TO dlsarm themselves until he can give
proofs as we'll as promises of an ef
fective league aotfrding effective pro.
lection.
French Press Grows Critical
In this matter the British press has
been cautious about criticisirr him.
knowing the American tendency to re-
sent British criticisms. Realizing the
necessity to them of the fullest Dos
slble entente with America, British
statesmen, as one American put t. will
strive to keep Mr.. Wilson on his politi-
cal legs, although his fellow Americans
may cndeavor to bowl him over Rut
the French press has been growing
more and more critical OF the Presi-
dent.
Inc EchO de Paris" says:
"Mr. Lloyd George leaves for Lon
don Friday or Saturday.; Mr.. Wilson
returns to Washington in ten davs. at
Tie latest, since he must be ate tn
White House before the end of the
session to sign bills already passed
and to prepare his message to the new
Congress. The work of the peace con-
terence, therefore, is in danger of in
terruptlon, as the President Of the
United States and, almost in equal,
measure, the British Premier, absorb.
III their persons, all power.
"ln their absence it is probable that
those who represent them will act onlv
al referendum. Thus, for four or five
weeks, at modest estimate, the work
ing out of the preliminaries of peace
VIII not advance much. We are assured
that, during this time, the committees
VIII do useful work, but this will be
insufficient and subordinate work.
Delays Many Problems
THE problems of rehabilitation. of
Russia, Poland and Germany cannot
seriously be followed while the heads
Of the governments are away. They
dominate the whole situation"
The Petit Parisien" comments nc
follows:
The slowness of the peace confer
ence is having its reflex. Germany.
protiting by the unstable period of the
armisticc and using the respite al
lowed the leaders of the defeated
country. who are really but disguised
imperialists, is lifting her head and a.
suming an attitude which must soon
force us to take more vigorous meas !
ures unless we wish Ia be fooled"
"Action Francaise," the royalist pa
per, says:
"a little abatement of the liberty of
action is not to be compared to the
constant dread Of another catastrophe.
"Such an idea could nevar h,vo m