The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
WILSON CABLEGRAM
MYSTIFIES CAPITAL
Many Believe League Wal
Not Be in Preliminary Treaty.
Special psspateA to TIE suN.


WASHINGTON. March 15.-With Presi-
dent Wilson announcing by cable to-day
that the League OF Nations Is to be part
of the peace treaty, and with Andre Tar
dieu Of the French delegation asserting
with emphasis that the league covenant
will not figure In the treaty about to be
imposed upon Germany the fog OF mys-
terry again has descended upon tho pro-
ceedings In Paris. Confusion and con-
Trajectory reports which seem to make
their appearance whenever the league is
discussed again are in evidence.
The only ray OF light on the situation
comes from an explanation made author
itstively here following the publication
OF the Presidents cablegram. 1t was
to the effect that the league covenant
would not be In the peace pact with
Germany--the preliminary pact as II IL
called--but would be interviewer In the
final treaty or treaties expected to be
framed late in the summer. The treaty
with Germany is expected 70 be sub
mitted to the German delegates within
a week.
This would leave the situation Just as
II was when the news was frst pub
lished that the preliminary treaty vr-
tually had been divorced from the league
covenant. The Presidents cablegram
may have been In response 10 the gen.
eral question OF whether the treaty and
league had been separated for good and
all, and he naturally denied this NJ.
Tardieu's statement likewise may be cor
rect. AS the President apparently was
not asked whether the league covenant
would be incorporated IN tho preliminary
treaty. the reply along general lines pro-
vides no new information on the subject.
How the covenant IN II now stands
could be incorporated In the peace pact
about to be imposed on Germany pug
zies even Administration officials who
are stanch believers in the league. The
President admittedly has not the in
dorsement OF the American people for
this league and estimates that not many
more Americans than one in ten support
II. France finds 1t unacceptable in Its
present form. and has served notice that
It must be amended in vital respects
before acceptance can be entertained err
iously.
Despite these difficulties. however, Il
Is entirely possible that the President
may seek TO resurrect his league and
force II TO the fore even II this involves
OelhSlnB tne preliminary pact W nile
the President has been away the dele
gates have set the league plan carefully
aside and devoted themselves TO drawing
up the all important preliminary peace
terms for ending the state OF war.
Marked progress has been made on the
peace making but no progress on the
league proposition. The question OF
holding up the peace treaty now TO re-
sumo the herculean task OF rewriting a
league constitution admittedly is out OF
the Questio
The President Is said to realize this
and therefore 10 feel that he must at
tempt to force through the league Just
as Il stands or see peace made with Ger
many In advance of the contamination of
his league project. A possible compro-
misc whereby Just as mere general
mention Is made here and there OF a
League OF Nations in the peace pact
perhaps will DC decided upDn, accord
ing 10 officials here Even though the
President still hopes for speedy results
in getting the league covenant Endorsed
II is stated here that his views neces-
sarily will change when he has had op-
portunity 10 survey the new difficulties
in the leagues path. Prediction is made
in authoritative circles here that re-
gardless OF conflicting reports the first
peace pact with Germany Will be found
10 contain none OF the details Of the
league covenant and not more than n
few Shadowy references 20 the league
plan In whatever Anal form II takes