The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-02-24
The Most Conservative Dele,
gates in Paris Are Nov
ing Faster
CAUTION IS SWEPT
MORE TO ONE SIDE
France Is Being Won Over
to the Idea of a
Prompt Peace

Paris, Sunday, Feb. 20 (By the Asso-
ciated Press The atmosphere around
the peace conference has changed re-
markably in the last few days The de-
liberation and caution which marked the
proceedings Of important commissions
have given way, and even the most con
seryative delegates are being carried for
ward at a great pace. Talk of early
peace has become general.
President Wilson, before he left
France, urged the American commission
ers to spare no exertion to bring the con
ference TO a conclusion, at least respect
ing peace treaty, but the actual direct
ing force toward that end has been Pre-
mier Clemenceau, who even while rcclin-
ing in his easy chair suffering from the
wound given him by would-be assassin,
has summoned the premiers Of four
other great powers to his side in order
to impress upon them the need for has
tening the great work in their hands
France originally doubted the wisdom
of concluding peace before conditions
crystallzed in Germany, and effective
guarantees against further danger from
that quarter had been provided and an
opportunity had been assured so that
devastated French and Belgian indus
tries would retrieve the ground Germany
had gained on them. Now France agrees
with America and Great Britain in de-
manding a termination of the existence
of the present technical state of war so
that even Germany may resume the nor
NAL ways Of peace.
This view was reflected to-day BY
Stephen Pichon, the French foreign min
ister in his regular Sunday talk with
foreign newspaper correspondents, He
said, in discussing the probable date
when the treaty Of peace will be signed
that work would be FASTENED as soon as
the necessary foundation had been laid
NJ. Piehon referred to the fact that Pres
ident Wilson thought when he left that
the end could be reached by the middle
Of May, but added that nov it was re.
garded possible that it might be sooner.
and that he saw no reason TO doubt it.
Asked ii the peace conference could then
disperse, he replied that general princi-
pies which must govern the treaty Of
peace would be included in the treaty
itself, while their application must be
determined and made workable after
wards. This was understood az indicat-
ing that some portion, at least, Of the
conference machinery must remain in &C.
ton after the signature of the treaty.
Americans also believe that the treaty
which will be signed first must be fol
lowed by another final treaty which viii
exactly prescribe the conditions to be
met by the late enemy powers. Several
months may elapse before this can be
made ready.
NJ. Pichon said that Germany would
be first dealt with, because of the greater
Importance Of the problems presented in
her case, but added there were important
peace questions for settlement in connec.
tion with Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Military experts, he said, have been in.
structed TO examine them and have been
in readiness for speedy adjustment.
The commissioners who are considering
reparationE, tho minister said. are near
an agreement. The first question to be
determined is what Germany owes and
then what she can pay. When these are
determined q plan can be devised by the
entente for dividing the reparation oh.
tanned among the entente powers.
In conclusion NJ. Pichon said that Pre-
mier Clemcnceau was about to take un-
der consideration the Russian question
when he was shot He said the subject,
therefore, awaits his return to his official
duties.