The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-09
PRESIDENT READY
TO MEET PREMIERS
Outlines Of French and British
Positions Already Pre-
pared for Him.
DELEGATES ARE HOPEFUL
Col. House Presents Clemen-
ccau's and Robert Cecil's
Views on League.

PARIS, Jan. s.--Mary important
questions concerning the arrangement
OF the programme for the peace con-
ference, which have been In process
OF solution, probably will be adjusted
soon as n result OF President Wilson'S
return to Pnris. The President now
has personal knowledge OF the views
OF some OF the Premiers on these
subjects. and he has supplemented II
by his observations during his trip to
Italy
The President when in England and
italy kept in close touch with the
members o. the American Peace Dele
cation in Paris, and Il is evident from
the expressions OF officials that the
settlement of various matters Will
progress more rapidly from now on.
The Presidents informal talk with
Col f. NJ. House last night dealt with
the attitude Of Premier Clcmenceau and
Lord Robert Cecil regarding league
OF nations. The conference gave the
Prcsiden. fresh information concerning
their views and Col. House and Secretary
Lansing conferred to-day with LORD
Robert. who 10 the British authority on
a league of nataers. SO II may be re-
garded as certain that the programme
is making progress and that in few
days matters will be In shape for the
first steps OF the conference.
First Meetings This Week.
In fact Il is admitted that the nrst
meetings between President Wilson and
his aids and the Entente Premlers may
n hall ha ~
conferences will be informal and Will
carry forward In a spirit OF ancomno-
dalton the discussions which have taken
place during the Presidents absence be-
tween individuals OF the various dele.
cations and also between various groups.
The meetings are expected to develop
great importance later, but at present
il may I've said that results of value nave
been reached and that the ground has
been cleared for the beginning OF the
actual negotiations.
The impendng informal meetings be-
tween President Wilson and the Entente
Premers will deal with subjects OF
fundamental Importance. II will be for
these officials 10 arrange The programme
which VIII govern the peace congress
itself. subject to approval when all the
delegates formally gather
The Japanese delegates already here
have been participating in some phlses
OF the discussions between the groups.
II is assumed that they have been cor
suited in the preparation OF the pro-
gramme, and that they nave outlined
the treatment of certain issues in which
they are particularly interested.
Il has been agreed that the first mat
ter to bo considered at the meeting q:
President Wilson and the Fremiers VIII
be the representation TO be accorded the
Powers seeking participation in the con-
gress.
Then must come the question OF a
league OF nations which Is regarded as
the foundation upon which must be
erected the whole structure OF a perua-
nent peace treaty and the adjustment
OF boundaries to meet conditions after
the war. The next subject to engage at
tention, as next IN Importance. is the
naturalization OF international water
ways. having especially In mind the
Dardaneiles and perhaps the Scheldt
and the Danube littoral.
Probably next among the foremost
subjects to receive attention will be use
OF the high seas" II may be significant
that this phrase now is being adopted
seas" but 1t is not yet possible to as
certain in what the distinction is tn con-
sist.
Vance Mccormick. chairman of the
War Trade Board. and other American
experts, are now on the way to Paris.
and they Will be called Into consuita-
ton when the subjects on which they
have specialized are brought into tie
deliberations Of the principal delegates.
Council Awaits Lloyd George.
Premier Clemenceau. according TO the
Temps. intended to call a meeting OF tho
Interallied Supreme War Council to-
morrow to submit to /. various questions
which will be treated later at the peace
conference. II Ia not certain that this
meeting will be held. however. Eittor!o
Orlando. the Italian Premier, and Baron
Sonnino. the Foreign Minister. are ex-
pected to reach Paris tomorrow morn
ing. and a message from David Lloyd
George, the British Premier. Is awaited.
II he cannot reach Paris in time the
meeting of the council will be postponed
until his arrival.
The Temps says Il Is able 70 state that
President Wilson has officially informed
Premier CIemenceau that he does not de-
sire to be considered at the peace con-
ference as the head Of state but only
as the Prime Minister Of his state.
The Temps says the United States
Constitution makes the Presiden; not
only the head Of the state but the head
OF the Government. and that President
Wilson will claim only the right 10 the
prerogatlves Of the last named position
at the peace conference.
The newspaper adds that when MAX
ing known his desire 10 Premier Glenn
enceau he also Informed the Premier
concerning the detailed work the various
American delegates to the conference