The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-02-28
Wants Speedy Conclusion Of
Peace Treaty; Talks Right
Out in Court.
WON'T ADDRESS CONGRESS
Holds Free and Frank" Discus
sion With Newspaper Men and
Gives Out His Views on Pro
posed League.

Washington. Feb. 27.-President|
Wilson desires conclusion of a peace
treaty as speedily as consistent with
the great question involved and, ex-|
cept for adjustment of territorial
differences. he believes a great part
Of the work is approaching final
form.
1t was learned that the amend
ment to the proposed constitution OF
the league of nations which the
President intends to suggest upon
his return to Paris will deal with
measures to be used by the league
I'm enforcing territorial DEGREES.
This was learned by newspaper
correspondents with whom the Pre-
ident had free and frank discussion
OF his work at Paris and the, legisla-
tive session late today after he had
spent two hours comforting with ad-
ministration leaders at the capitol.
1t was the first time the correspond
ents in Washington had been invited
to seesthe President in several years
Furher important expressions OF
opinion on the league OF nations
came today from President Wilson
in hfs conferences at the capitol,
from Senator Hitchcock. OF Nebras-
ka. chairman of the foreign rela-
tions committee. in an address to the
senate. and from senator's and repre-
sensatives VINO attended the dinner
last night at the White House.
President Wilson. in discussing the
league with members Of congress and
also AT q conference with newspaper
correspondents. expressed confidence
in the success OF the plan. He also
let it be known that ne had every
expectation OF the conclusion OF
peace within few months and in
this connection said that territorial
adjustments presented the most deli
cate problem remaining. Work on
all other questions. he stated, is
rapidly nearing completion by the
commissions appointed to handle II.
The President was emphatic in ex-
pressing his belief that in no par
ticular did the proposed constitution
Of the league conflict with the Amer
lean constitution or with the Monroe
doctrine. He also said ne had in
mind only one amendment, designed
to clarity the clause dealing with en-
reiterated that he would not address
congress before II adjourned and
would not ask any formal expression
from the senate on the league.
Reluctant to Reopen Covenant.
Mr.. Wilson was said to have indi-
Gated that he was reluctant to re-
open the league constitution before
the peace conference.
He was representing as feeling
that with the document approved
unanimously by II powers after
many weeks deliberation. II would
he inadvisable to reopen the nego-
tiations unless changes proposed were
fundamental The change he has in
mind was not so classed by the ex-
ecutive.
Senator Hitchcock, in addressing
the senate in vigorous support of the
league. replied to recent critics of
the plan. He declared that the al
ternatives before the world were
peace with the league or war and
preparations for war without IL: the
internationalism OF nations or that OF
"the socialist, the anarchist and the
bo'shevist." The senator fatty de-
MED that the league violates either
the Monroe doctrine or the principles
enuncfated by Washington and
charged opponents with magnifying
what they regard as dangerous and
with "conjuring up a scarecrow."
To Resume Debate Today.
Senate debate will be resumed to-
morrow. with addresses by Repub-
lican Leader Lodge and Senator Fre-
linghysen. OF New Jersey. Repub.
licans
Today Senator Owen. OF Oklaho
ma Democrat. introduced a resoIr.
ton advocating amendments of the
league to definitely declare that
American sovereignty is not affected
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