The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
ttit

Lloyd George BEFORE to-days conner
ence, but It took to-day's nat denial
from the President to show the situa-
ton now faced here. The important
fact now outstanding in the face oil
to-day's dramatic development Is tAal
neither Great Britain nor France yct
has given approval to the Presidents
plan. The British position can be
stated to be about as follows;
The British still believe firmly that
the preliminary treaty should be con-
cluded before the League OF Nations
Is taken up and that the two should
not be intermingled. for the reasons
outlined in these dispatches yester-
diy.
Wilson Sees Only One Course.
Regarding President Wilson's argu-
ment that the resolution Of the con-
ference permits no other course the
British take the position that this res
olution applies to the Anal treaty
which will include not only Germany
but Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey, as
well as interallied and neutral ma
TONS Consequently II applies more
properly to this final treaty than TO
the preliminary one.
The British, like the other delega-
lions, however, are laboring under this
difficulty, as was pointed out to-day
the President Is the only person here
who ID the titular head OF a state.
This demands q certain amount OF
Difference which otherwise would not
be paid, but even this in the present
situation does not forbid them to de-
mand that the President show reasons
for the action he insists upon based
upon other grounds than merely Amer
lean political ones. This they do not
feel that he has done yet.
In these negotiations Lord Robert
Cecil, the British proponent Of the
league, will be the intermediary for
Premier Lloyd George. Hence the sit
uation now turns upon the conference
that Lord Robert will have with the
President tomorrow preliminary to
the meeting Of the league COMMITTEES
on Monday.
To Limit League in Treaty.
Lord Robert himself il a partisan Of
the league idea naturally, as 1t Is not
denied in British circles that it Is
largely the British plan and the work
OF Lord Robert and Gen. Jan SHUTS.
The British would prefer II the league
Is mentioned at all in tho preliminary
treaty to have such mention limited to
simple affirmation that the Allies
have adopted the principles OF the
league. This Is calculated, they think,
to meet the possible argument by
President Wilson that the league Is
necessary In the treaty for its effect on
the masses in Germany and her allied
countries.
But the Presidents present mood is
uncompromising. He plainly Is in
censed. judging from remarks he has
made to his friends, by the Republican
expectation that tho league is to be
omitted from the FIRST treaty. Even IN
American mission circles there are
some who cannot see how the Wilson
plan can be followed.
So far the league covenant has not
been approved or even discussed by
the representatives OF moro than
fourteen of the twenty-four nations in
the conference. The neutrals as yet
have not been heard; their first chance
is coming next Thursday. They have
many amendments to offer. as have
other nations in the conference.
Important Changes In View.
Lord Robert Cecil himself has an
important amendment tending to
democratize the league which the op-
position In England demands shall be
put into the covenant. The French
insist that they have no intention OF
withdrawing the two important amend
ments they have proposed giving
greater security to France.
The feeling outside Of American cir
Giles is that these proposed changes
cannot be acted upon hastily, and fur
thermore that the criticism already
has shown the necessity for redrafting
some of the clauses which admittedly
are obscure, and II allowed TO stand will
be provocative of trouble among the
members.
Yet II the Germans are to get the
treaty OH March %, as Premier Lloyd
George insists must be done, only a
weak virtually Is left for the discussion
Of the most vitnl interests to the future
OF the world. In the opinion OF many
this Is absolutely impossible; therefore
President Wilson's plan. II adopted
must postpone the drafting OF the pre-
liminary treaty.
Opposes Doctrine Inclusion.
Still II appears that the President
has no intention OF Offering any radical
amendment himself and is entirely op-
posed to the inclusion of the Monroe
Doctrine. despite even the plea of
former President Taft.
The developments to-day are the
most interesting OF the entire confer
ence. They are typically wilsonian, rs
viewed here, and are the greatest test
yet OF President Wilson's influence over
this world gathering. II Premier
Lloyd George accepts the Presidents
word he Will be running counter 10 the
views OF many OF his constituents in
The British Parliament
1t is significant that never has Pre-
rpier Lloyd George mentioned the
league covenant in It's present form
in any OF his speeches in Great Britain
Not even Col. House and Secretary
Lansing were prepared for to-day's
development However, those who