The sun., 1919-01-31

question refuses to he displaced here
as a subject of conversation, and ono
OF ovefshadowing Importance, despite
1.-The prominence assumed from time to
time by other questions. such as the
disposition of the German colonies.
The Presidents friends realize
that the league will raise constitu-
tional questions in America, even II
the weakest of the league plans Is
adopted. 1t is evident from talking
with those who reflect the President
views that he realizes bitter battle
is in prospect and it is certain that
questions Of strategy with respect to
this are now under discussion.
House Favors Publicity.
The question now being debated
in inner circles is whether the Presi-
dent should announce his plan in de-
tail at once. so that his friends and
supporters at home can begin work
ing up sentiment preliminary to the
battle In the Senate over ratification,
or withhold his cards for a possible
diplomatic advantage here.
One of the dangers of the first plan,
as the Presidents friends see it, is
that the opposition at home may be
manifested in such way as to in
jure his chances of getting an agree
ment on his plan here.
Col. House and the President are
10 have conference on this question
within the next twenty-four hours.
Col. House apparently is strong for
publicity at once, on the theory that
the Presidents prestige and influence
here are more than enough to offset
any possible effect of opposition at
home, in Congress and out.
Added to the Republican opposition
there is the probability of opposition
to be advanced by proponents of such
n league as former President Taft
proposes, especially when they realize
how far short their plan falls of the
Presidents formula.
1t Is evident that the President Is
puzzled as to which course to pursue,
and 1t may take strong urging to in
duce him to commit himself to the
plan for immediate publicity.
The President has been holding
frequent conferences with Lord Rob
ert Cecil lately and 1t is freely pre-
dicted that the league plan the Presi-
dent ultimately will adopt will be
Cecil's, reinforced by some features
dictated by the President.
Lord Robert, having made known
all the important details Of his plan,
thus would get large share Of the
credit as the original prepayment Of
the league Of nations plan.
Two Treaties Are Proposed.
A member Of the American Peace
Commission said to-day that the big
five" hoped to have some sort Of a
peace treaty ready for presentation
to Germany by April l. The plan
now under discussion is that Of draw
ing up two treaties. the first prelimi-
nary, the second final. The prelimi-
nary treaty would enable the world
to settle down to a pre-war basis of
normality at the earliest possible my
ment.
This treaty would abolish the Ger.
man blockade and remove all other
restrictive barriers on commerce and
industry and would permit the with
drawal Of the armies OF occupation,
with rehabilitation to a peace foot
ing
Would Outline Final Terms.
I It would state that the Allies
placed responsibility for the war upon
Germany In whatever degree the con-
ference determines. 1t would recog-
niEe the establishment of the league
of nations and lay down in a general
way the territorial readjustments
NOW under consideration. 1t would
recognize the independence and SOW
ereignty of various new States and,
generally speaking would outline the
.broad basis of a final peace.
: This treaty would be followed as
4 quickly a possible by the final treaty,
slaying down all details of the major
premises.
5 This procedure. it is explained,
would have the advantage of allay-
. ing popular discomfort and lessening
: the peculiar mental strain prevailing
! throughout Europe arising from the
:, feeling that the war isn't really over
and will not be until peace is finally
! signed.
? Reparaf.on Commission at Work.
: The American commission on the
4 question Of what reparation Germany
shall make for war damage, consist
; ing of Messrs. Baruch, Mccormick
and Davis, has assumed control OF the
! American Army Commission of Engi-
neers under Brig. Gen. McKinstry,
! which has been investigating the
/ question from an American stand
point in order to advise the Peace
Commissioners.
Twelve parties Of five officers each
are now travelling over the devas-
tated districts and already n great
mass Of data has been prepared and