Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-09
hal Treaty With Central
Powers May Be Long ;.
Delayed.
FINlTE PROGRAM
NOT FORMULATED
dn,snt Fer League Of Nations to
teree Peace Terms Probably First
fp Of Confsrsnes-Creatins Of
" States and Fixing Of lndemni.
1 Next in Ordsr-Conferenee Of
]emiers Delayed.
IBy Associated Press.l

tBy Associated Press.]
(raris, Jan. 9.-President Wilson's s
conferences with the premiers Of
Ercat Britain. France and italy, whicn
fwere to open today. have been de-
tayed and probably will not begin be-
fore early next week.
Mr.. Lloyd George is detained IN
London and Premier Orlando Of Italy.
who is due here today, probably will
Ecturn to Rome.
There will. however. be q meeting
to-day at the office Of Stephen Pichon.
Iforeign minister. 1t will be attended
lby Mr.. Wilson, Premier Orlando and
IJapanese representatives. It will be
informal because Of the absence Of
mir. LIoyd-George. The meeting will
clear up preliminary points and it is
believed that details Of procedure will
be settled. The delegates will then be
in position, when Mr.. Lloyd George
arrives, to complete the preliminary
work and clear up matters for the
opening conference on Monday and
! Tuesday.
Last War Council Nesting.
Importance is attached to the meet
ing Of the French cabinet today, for
it is probable that President Poincare
will nominate the French delegates
to the peace conference.
lettering to the conferences as be-
ing between the chiefs of the entente
yovefnments, the best informed French
N.ources say that it is nothing more
Pr less than Neutrality-suspicious. a
yast--of the higher allied war COM
ftnittee. II is pointed out that the corn-
i nittee in question will be composed Of
Ashe preniers and foreign minister Of
h.he allies. Mr.. Wilson figuring as
American premier. 1t is not expected
here viii be long debate at the con-
y.erence.
To Deal With Germany First.
As regards questions concerning en-
eTy countries, it is understood that
those concerning Germany will be
taken up irst, then those Of Austria
Hungary, and finally those relative to
I Bulgaria and Turkey. These details
probably will not be decided upon un-
til the league Of nations part of the
program has been exhausted, however.
\ 1t il not expected the premiers at
lthis conference will deal with more
fHdH IhC iuOSt ScHcIdl principles Oh
peace settlement. In fact, it now
aems doubtful II more than 4 broad
general argument will be reached be-
fore President Wilson returns to
america In February. Out of the
coming conferences it is expected that
more or less tentative program will
be adopted, which will divide the work
of the peace congress into successive
J steps. The actual making Of peace
! with the central powers may be the
last Of these steps.
! Probable Procedure.
The procedure now being discussed
is. roughly, as follows:
First. general agreement between
the United States and the entente bel
iserents for a. creation Of a LEAGUE of
nations. or similar machinery to en-
force tho terms Of peace and preserve
il.
Second. the setting up Of new inde-
PENDENT states growing out Of the war
Third. the assessment Of damages
and ihdemnitiee and the manner Of
their payneat.
Fourth. the conclusion Of peace
treaties with the central empires.
The peace treaties may be left to the
last because none Of the agreements
can bind the central powers. unless in
the meantime they have established
governments which satisfy the peace
\ conference as to their stability and
lpnrpose Of carrying out the treaties
! made.
Enemy Chaos May Delay Peace.
Al this point arises the question Of
how long the peace congres\ will wait
for the central powers to arrange their
governments. It is pointed out that
neither Germany nor Austria can COM
plete its governmental machinery until
! It IS determined what the peoples de-
sire in this matter.
There k always the possibility that
J iY no responsible governments appear
to,give assurances that obligations un-
dert4ken will be carried out, the ma
5 tons represented at the congress could
give notice that 1t would become nee
essary. at certain points, to assist in
1.-THE formation Of orderly government
and at the same time begin to collect
Srevenues to apply on the bill Of dam
A ages.
Such action, If taken at all, would
7. be- only d last resort. No official out
& line has been made to show what the
& United States would agree to do in
carrying ont such an undertaking II
81 " should become necessary, but some
4 sof those best informed as to the lines
along which Mr.. Wilson and the peace
\ scommiasloners are working believe
THAT. It Is the purpose of the United
q States to 90 no further into the read-i
justment Of European affairs than to
4 secure general adherence to the prin-
eiples already laid down BY President
WILSON: \. !. @
4 Frsneh Dslssatss Named.
Of{iciai announcement was made to-
- that the council Of minister. had he