New-York tribune., 1919-01-27

Virtually a Rejection
yhc general opinion here this even
ing is that the inquiry by wireless made
by Bolshevik Foreign Minister Techit-
raorin. the Soviet representative in
Stockholm. relative 70 the Allies in
yitation to all Russian factions to
rgrec 20 conference. suggests that
,hc Bolsheviki viii insist on conditions
which would give them u commanding
position at the meeting.
~. Tchitcherin's message is the only
direct expression provoked thus far
bv the peace conferences invitation.
Is the belief here that this message
.aps. be taken rs indicating that the
final attitude Of the Bolsheyik govern
ment is hostile TO meeting under the
conditions proposed.
1t is regarded possible that more
formal reply VIII be received from the
Bolsheviki. but the dissatisfaction ex-
pressed by the Soviet Commissioner for
Foreign Affairs is generally considered
as amounting TO a rejection of the in
vitation.
T. was indicated by Stephen Pichon,
the French Foreign Minister, to-day
that it rests with tine Supreme Council
20 decide upon the course to be fo'-
lowed in case the Princes Islands
meeting is abandoned
Waiting Policy Likely
1t is declared that the Supreme
Council will not consent to hold the
meetinr anywhere whore the Bolshc
viki have an opportunity to indulge in
speeches calculated to spread their
doctrine among the peoples of the En-
;ente countries and the United States.
such opinions as could be gathered
to-day i'm Paris regarding the probable
course 10 he pursued were to the et-
fect that the Supreme Council Will
adopt waiting policy, II was con
-ldcred certain by those who gave
opinions on the situation tina. the
powers cannot be brought to undertake
= joint military expedition IN KussIa
in force now, II at all.
Each Of the great powers has declined
20 send such a force of its own men,
and the American position in oppos-
ton to an expedition is declared to be
even moro pronounced than that of
any other nation. though there have
been intimations that the Entente
powers looked to the United States to
undertake this operation IN view or
the fact that the Entente powers have
suffered more losses as q result Of the
war.
Amazed at Parlcy's Speed
"The belief is expressed in French
official circles that the preliminaries
for peace viii be finished and ready
for submission to the French Chamber
batween March Is and March 81"
says the Paris edition of "The Daily
Mail
The speed with which the confer
cuce is shaping its organization has
brought forth comment from various
sources.
"'ghey are going very fast says the
Figaro dealing with Saturdays ses-
SION "Speed seems to have charac
tori2ed the second plenary session of
the peace conference
With much Of the final machinery
in motion, and with NJ. Clemenceau.
the permanent chairman. insisting on
business by the conference, observers
Of the situation express the belief
that on the whole the peace conference
S moving according to schedule. The
announcement of the personnel of the
various important commissions has
added considerably to the belief in the
working power of the conference. Some
Of the newpapers in commenting on
the regularity with which yesterdays
session moved say that it seemed as
if the routine had been we'll rehearsed.
A number of the newspapers to-day
pay tribute to President Wilson's elo- (
quence.
'Everyhodv knows President Will {
sons smile" says the "Petit Parisien'
at has charmed Paris. but until yestel-
cay we we're ignorant of the great eff
feet iis disappearance could produce.
Such a contrast, 50 unexpected was
sufficient 70 give his discourse rare
eloquencc."
stcphanc Lauzanne. editor OF the
"Natin," SAYS:
Il have heard President Wilson speak
numerous times, hat never have heard
his voice so beautiful, clear and rich
IT was the dream of his life, It was the
dream OF humanity which that voice
announced.'
VI. Clemenceau's prompt decisions
and skilfd handling Of delicate situa-
tions also received great praise.
His most vigorous personality was
present again says "The Daily Mail"
referring to NJ. Clemenceau. "He kept
the closest hold on the proceedings, and
when the protest OF the minor nations
seemed likely to become interminahle
ne put an end to their criticisms in
quick, vigorous speech"
Small Nations Appeased
The conference weathered its first
r rd
spiration of President Wilson's speech
and the skilful guidance of NJ. Clemen-
eeau. IT unanimously adopted the reso-
luton declaring for a league of nations
and went on record IN favor OF in
cooperating the league as an integral
part OF the general treaty Of peace
and admitting to the league every
civilized nation which can be relied on
TO promote It's objects"
heigium, Serbia. Rumania. Portugal.
brazil, siam, China and Czecho- Slovakia
protested against the various commit
tees being largely restricted 10 the
great movers and asked for proportion
ate representation privileges, particu-
iarly or bodies dealing with the league
81 nations, labor and reparation for war
damages
Although this was cloud no bigger
than mans hand. il threatened at
zone time 70 grow into Il general align
nent OF the small powers against the
five great powers. This, however. was
avcrted by NJ. Clemenceau's cood-tcm-
percd and skillful direction