The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-22
HOPE DECIDE
AS 10 RUSSIA
Definite Line of Action to Be
Object Close Study at
Peace Table.
FIFTH u. S. DELEGATE
May Be Named by Wilson.
Names of Taft and Root
Again Mentioned.
FIFTH U. S. DELEGATE

Paris, Jan. ga. P.)-With the
hope of formulating a definite line of
action on the Russian situation, the
supreme council of the peace con-
gress continued today to devote most
of it's attention to the subject. Dis
cussions were taken up where they
were left off yesterday and some an
nouncement of fully matured policy
is expected to be made during to-
days session.
Principles Of action have been de-
cided upon, in the main, and vir-
tually all that remains is to reduce
the agreement to writing and get
final assent to 1t by the delegates.
There was no indication at the open
ing of today's meeting as to which
one of three proposals already con-
sidered had been accepted or whether
an entirely new plan had been
worked out. The policy of building
n wall around bolshevism by encour-
aging lawful governments Is being
spoken of as being foremost among
the possibilities. Consideration of
the Polish problem may have added
an element which may change the
line of action from it's originally con-
templated form.
Return to Sign Bills.
While the peace congress is get
ting into action the question of Pres
ident Wilson appointing a fifth dele
gate to act on the American mission
when he himself departs for home
has again arisen and the names of
William H. Taft and Elihu Root have
been mentioned. Mr.. Wilson's deci-
sion as to the appointment Of another
delegate depends wholly upon
whether he will consider it necessary
to return to Europe after the ad-
iournment of the American congress
in March. There is absolutely no
question that the president feels he
must return to America in time to
sign bills which have been passed at
Washington. He has no thought of
signing them here on the theory that
the embassy is American territory.
So far the president has not been
able to determine whether to return
to the peace congress because sutii-
cient headway has not been made to
indicate what may be hoped for In
the approximately twenty days before
his ship sails. He has expressed the
hope that it would not be necessary
for him to make another voyage
across the Atlantic. At the same
time. however, he has told his col
leagues that as he considers the busi
ness of the peace congress most i'm
portant as concerns his country and
the world. he would not hesitate to
return if his presence is necessary to
the success of his plan for a league
of nations. Until he has decided
whether or not he will return there is
no way of forecasting the appoint
ment of another American delegate.
If one should be decided upon, Sec
retary Baker or possibly Admiral
Benson might be chosen. The posi-
hility of Admiral Benson being made
a delegate depends upon whether or
not it is decided that the American
navy should be represented.
It is quite probable President Will
son will take back with him as many
American soldiers as his ship, the
George Washington. can accommo-
date. On one of her voyages she
carried 1900 men. Fully realizing
the desire of American troops to be
speedily returned to their homes and
also the shortage of tonnage to trans
port them. it is said the president
wants every available bit of space
used for returning troops and is con-
sidering a plan to take a large num-
ber with him.
The general scheme of returning
the troops to America is. OF course,
bound up with the work Of the peace
congress and the progress it makes
towards restoring Europe to a pre-
war basis. but meanwhile. under the
presidents direction. Chairman Hur-
ley. of the shipping board. is con-
stantly at work on plans to enlarge
transport facilities. With the COM
ing warm weather it may be ex-
pected plans will he carried out
which will utilize all available ships
to their fullest capacity.