The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-17
PARIS WORRIED OVER THE
PRESIDENTS DECISION TO
FORCE ACTION ON LEAGUE

PARIS, March IA feeling OF ner-
vousness has arisen in Paris today as
a result of President Wilson's deter
rnination 10 force the signing of the
covenant Of the league OF nations at
the same time the German ENJOYS are
ordered 10 place their signatures upon
the preliminary peace treaty,
Foreign Minister Pichon'S state
meRt that he believes it would be i'm
possible 10 sign the two documents
cCncurrently represents the French
view that the primary necessity is TO
make tentative peace with Germany
ana then complete the covenant Of the
league OF nations by the time the
final treaty is ready
Another, factor making for delay is
the approaching departure or Premier
Lloyd George for London. The labor
situation in Great Britain urgently
calls for the presence Of the Premier
in London and he is expected 20 leave
before In" end Of the present week.
Leaders Can't DO Much.
Delegates are deploring the fact
that the biggest driving forces o. the
conferenee-Presidc Wilson. Pre-
mier Lloyd George and Premier Gle n
=
more than a few days at a time when
something happens TO take one or the
other away from IN" peace work The
result y. the round table labors drag.
During The absence Of President
Wilson in the United States both the
British and French delegates were
actually alarmed At reports from Ger
many that the country was fast fall
ing a prey 20 Bolshcvism
Their wnOle efforts heretofore haze
been bent toward putting through
tentative peace arrangements which
would expedite tho rehabilitation Of
their own armies ana restore Euro
poan trade. and. by allowing Germany
immediately 10 resume international
relations with restrictions. enable hcr
20 build up her wrecked commerce
and reed her starving millions with
American food.
Final action on the military terms
Of the preliminary peace treaty with
Germany WAS 10 he taken by the
supreme war council this afternoon.
Tho treaty viii be presented 10 the
Germans about March -. according
to general opinion today
Treaty Almost Final.
While the forthcoming treaty with
Germany is termed preliminary. il is
20 all intrnts and purposes fnai. as
3: fixes that counfry's militar:-
and naval status. defines its boun-
daries. and disposes Of The questions
Of rCDaration and economic freedom.
n VIII not be really effective. how
"yE. until IL is ratified by all. or a
fixed percentage Of the sigDatory ma
tons. The period FOR ratification by
the sllied nations may be At least
40 10 SO days. This will give an
opportunity for calling OF a special
session OF the American Congress.
enabling the Senate TO act. Ger
many probably viii he given a much
shorter period ia which To accept
the terms
Following this preliminary peace
UiIh Germany there will be- separate
treaties with Austria, Turkey. and Bui-
garia: then the general treaty which
will clean UP all loose ends. coTodI-
nate the separate pacts, establish a.
remaining inter-allied boundaries. :tc.
Neutral nations. in response TO the
invitation TO have representatives. cor
fer with the league committee here
March 20 have slTeadE begun selec
ton Of their delegates. Sweden is
understood 10 have picked Hjalmar
Granting. socialist leader.
Between the date Of submission Of
the preliminary treaty 10 Germany
and its ratification By the allies, tns
srmistice terms will continue effec-
tive. German commerce will be regu-
lated according To the agreement
reached at the receut Brussels coz
ference.