The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-02-08

Padgett cabIegram.
regarding the cablegram sent by
President Wilson to Chairman Pad
gett, of the house committee on naval
affairs at Washington concerning the
American naval constructio program,
it is possible to say now that the
presidents position is that unless
peace terms are made which will alb
solutely safeguard mankind, the
United States Twill not need any
agreements"
1t is learned on good authority that
the supreme inter allied war council
should be added to the armistice
when it is renewed.
Armistice Conference.
The conference for the armistice
renewal is scheduled for Feb. IL at
Treves.s lsrrfnany,s failure to exe-
cute certain clauses of the standing
armistice, such as the delivery of
railway rolling stock and German
ships, is involving serious problem.
Included among the ships which
the Germans were to have handed
over are the Bismarck and the I'M
perator. These vessels are badly
needed for the transportation of
American soldiers from France to the
United States. In addition, the Ger
mans were to have surrendered sub
marines now in the process of con-
struction in German shipyards.
Another question which Is under
stood to have been discussed is the
armed German land forces. Germany
demobilized troops which were on
foreign territory, but kept armies
standing in German camps, which
would be available for an offensive
and which might easily restore the
ex-kaiser and his brood to power.
Still another question dealt with
he division of allied forces, including
American and British troops, who
are all badly needed at home.
Germans and Poles.
The councillors took under consid-
Grafton the attitude of the Germans
towards the Poles. and in this con-
nection the suggestion was made to-
day by Polish representatives that
an additional section to be added to
the armistice providing for the occu-
patton of the Danzig- Thorn railway
by Polish troops. 1t had been hoped
that the war council would reach a
decision yesterday. but the problems
proved so complicated that another
session was scheduled for today. II
is possible that the session may run
into Sunday without a final decision
being reached.
League of Nations.
President Wilson presided at a
meeting of the committee on the
league of nations at the Crillon ho-
tel. at which five additional clauses
of the constitution of the league
were considered.
This meeting did not break up i'm
til early today.
There is now the most hopeful feel
ing that the complete constitution
will be ready for submission to a
plenary session of the peace confer
ence not later than next Thursday.
Belgian Claims.
Representatives of the big five
mowers will meet again on Tuesday
10 hear the Belgian claims, thus
bringing the peace conference closer
than it has been yet to the real acute
problems arising from the war. Al
the same time apart from the off,
cial meetings, the delegates of the
great powers are having numerous
private meetings to prepare the
ground for agreement on big ques-
tions that have not yet figured in the
conference program.
Activity along this line will be con-
tinued despite the departure of Pre-
mier Lloyd George for London and
the impending departure of President
Wilson for Washington, as well az
the return of Premier Orlando tC
Rome.
Clauses of Constitution.
Several clauses of the constitution
of the league of natfbns have had t.
be reeommitted for Identification, il
was officially announced today. II
order to speed up the work, the ses.
sions of the committee were resumed
this morning.
(The London Daily Express is re-
garded in England az rejecting the
views of the British government. 1r
view of that fact, the following dis
patch is significantly.
Nation Puzzled.
London. Feb. S.-"Tne nation !:
puzzled by the developments of tbs
peace conference said the Daily
Express today. Secrecy seems e
) have run to such lengths that tbs
news is inevitably superseded by
rumors. There is a curious story
which should be contradicted IL it is
not true, about a new combination o.
President Wilson. Premier Lloyd
George. Arthur Henderson and Lans-
bury. which is said to be allied
arainst Premier Clemeneeau. Ths