Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-07

open diplomacy and abolition of se-
eret treaties While the Versailles CON
ferences will mark the official opening
of the negotiations toward peace, the
actual opening, so far as discussion is
concerned, began with President Will
sons return to Paris today.
The Serbian, Greek, Polish, Chinese
and other smaller delegations are al
ready here. Lord Robert Cecil assistant
secretary for foreign affairs of the
British empire, was expected to arrive
today and Foreign Minister Balfour
will probably be here Saturday. All
delegates are expected to be here by
Sunday.
First Subject of Discussion
The first subject for discussion will
of course be relative to another exten
sion of the armistice. There is posi-
sibility that some modification will be
made in the present terms, along eco
nomic lines. The armistice is entirely
a military matter. however.
In view of the growing threat Of
bolshevism, the Americans are under
stood to be inclined toward modifying
the blockade feature Of the armistice
Herbert Hoover having declared thai
food conditions in some parts of Aus
tria are desperate and Germany is 81
lacking in fats as to threaten serious
disquietude, it is felt that the great
est care is necessary to avoid bring
ing about conditions in the centra
powers which would result in such dis
order that there would be no respon
sible government to deal with. At tn
same time German statesmen have NJ
hope of gaining the sympathy of tn
United States by currying favor.
In spite of preliminary discussion
between the associated powers, tn
Germans will have to realize that tn
Americans, the same as all the allies
are here to make q victorious not
negotiation peace.
League of Nations Second
The League of Nations will be tn
second problem in connection with tn
general peace settlement to be take
up. Despite pessimistic expressions i
some quarters, it is believed the ger
eral idea of the league will be adopt
ed with reasonable promptitude. Th
president had termed all informatio
conferences on this subject he has ha
to date satisfactory as can be ez
lpected.'
Premier Clemenceau says, "Uttel
ances regarding the balance of powe
have not worried the Americans. 1t
also stated that certain circles who ar
hoping to muddy the league waters b
stirring up Great Britain i'll regard
whose position in regard to the fre'
dom of the seas has not yet been sta
ed in detail, he is expected to max
clear that America will not accept se'
, ond place to any power. 1t can be sta
, ed authoritatively, however. that b
J does not intend to ask that the Bri
: ish fleet be scrapped.
, To Work Out Details
Upon adoption Of the general pla
for the league of nations, committe
comprised of representatives Of var
GUS powers will be appointed to wor
out the details. Freedom Of the set
| doubtless will come under such discu
+ sions.
Aside from frequent sittings OF IL
formal session at Versailles, there WI
: be serious separate discussions at IL
f headquarters of the various deleg'
: .tions.
< American, British, French and lta
I ian delegations were unusually bus
( today on the details of organizatlo
. Hundreds of experts were assemblir
|. entire libraries of data. The America
|, library alone now consists of ten tho
sand volumes.