The sun., 1919-01-06
LEAGUE FIRST PEACE
STEP, SAYS STEED
Editor Thinks Pact Will Be
Formed as Result of Allies
Conferences.
PROVISIONAL AT FIRST
Intcrallicd Commission Neces-
sary to Study Financial
Problems.
By n. wICKHAM sTEED.
Foreign editor Of the London Times.

Foreign editor Of the london Times.
Special cdo'e Despatch TO THE suN from the
London Times Serrice.
Copyright, 1919: all rights reserred
PARIS, Jan. 5.--As the result OF ex-
changes OF views between President Will
son and the heads OF the chief European
In the programme OF the conference will
be the formation of a practical league Of
notions on at least a provisional basis.
When this decision is formally regis
tered special commission, probably I'M
der the direction of the heads Of the
league of nations sections of the allied
and American delegations, will be in
strrted to submit with all despatch
a sChens for the immediate constitution
OF a supernatonal authority.
II the sound views prevailing IN most
experienced quarters are adopted the
nj cleus of this authority will be vested
IN various interallled boards of councils
u at have proved their utility In war.
There is reason to believe a dissolution
OF some of these bodies which was re-
Gently contemplated has been deferred
for several months. Their services and
personnel therefore will be available for
actual league of nations work
Financial Commission.
1t will undoubtedly be necessary to
add at once a strong interanied COM
mission Of financial experts to study
and evolve n plan for dealing with the
rortentous financial situation beQueathed
by the war.
The question of reparation and even
tually OF indemnities payable by the
enemy is inextricably interviewer with
the financial situation. Those allied and
American financial experts who join a
constructive Imagination TO technical ex-
perience incline strongly TO the belief
that without some consolidation OF in
terallied liabilities and provision for
advertisement on a basis OF economics
to be effected by the reduction OF arna-
ments the financial problem may prove
well nigh insoluble.
While league of nations is being
built up around a practical nucleus the
conference Is likely to proceed TO n
definition of principles in the light OF
which various specific issues. both ter
ritorial and political, Will have to be
judged. The principles are few and
simple. II is generally recognized they
cannot be pedantically applied, hut II is
also felt that each exception must be
justified on its merits.
In regard to the uncivllized or semi
civilized peoples whose fate the confer
ence must determine. in view OF Its ad-
ministrative control over them. the
thought that they should be assigned
to individual nations under romlnat!vc
mandate from the league OF nations is
coming to be regarded with increasing
favor.
In many quarters, and those not the
least well informed. Il is estimated that
many questions which IL taken sepa-
rotely and without relation to general
principles might be intractabie might
be solved at least in principle with com
parat!ve rapidly.
To Bar Speeches.
There is likely to he an absolute bar
on rhetoric and futile eloquence. BY
strict attention to business and unre-
lorted work II Is believed the main pro-
gramme Of the interallied conference
may be disposed OF In from four to five
weeks
Special commissions will naturally bt
required TO work for months and IN some
cases FOR years. but are likely to report
to permanen. supernatural authority
, than to the peace conference proper.