The Washington times., 1919-03-24
TABLE MEN
MUDDLEDAT CRISIS

PARIS, March 24-The world faces
an infinitely more serious situation
today than II did a year ago, when
the German superoffensive was at its
height, according to the belief ex-
pressed in certain official quarters.
This, despite the fact the armistice
was signed FIVE months ago and the
peace conference has been in session
three months.
The peril is economic, and experts
sgree that every day lost in signing
peace brings the general crisis that
much nearer.
There was a tendency today, in fact,
to regard HUngary's action in form
ing a soviet republic in alliance with
the Russian Bolshevilli, and declaring
war on the allies, as meaning the
crisis already has been reached. There
was no disposition to hide the belief
that the menace of BolShevism has
been increased a hundred fold by
the new situation in Hungary.
Headed fer StagnatIOn.
"a year ago every one in the world
was at work" said one Of the lead
ing economic and financial authori-
ties ''If they were not fighting, they
were. producing. In addition, patri-
otic impulse was speeding up work.
The government had control, and ev-
cry one had to do something. But
everything is now headed for stagna-
ton and disorder unles speedy coun-
ter action is. taken.
an the meantime, the peace con-
ference is in the worst muddle since
it opened. The hour of decisions
having arrived, it can be stated au-
thoritatiYely that the situation is as
follows: There is a constant tend
eucy to drag in extraneous questions.
For instance. the Syrian question
was taken up, and General AIlenby
was brought from England to dis
cuBs IL. although the Syrian problem
has no bearing whatever on peace
with Germany
1.-The question Of territorial rights
in Dalmatia is constantly bObhing up,
although it is purely one for inter
allied settlement,
Polish Question MiShRndIed.
'0rhe Polish question has been mis-
handled. The war council Saturday
reached the point where It started on
This matter and decided to adopt the
program originally proposed.
Elm economic and financial discus
sions, the French are still clinging to
the hope of an international pool of
war expenditures, in which the United
states would pay the ma jority of the
bills As an alternative they suggest
Observation-Disclosures of exchange. The
effect of this would be TO bring up the
economic value OF the franc with con-
sequent loss in the present value OF
therdoilar.
Meanwhile France has done moth
~nn- - HuN h.. I
nRncial situation confronting her,
duet this hope of some International
arrangement. The French people |
have not been taxed with n 90 per
cent as heavily as the British and
Americans for carrying on the war
with the present situation as the re-
suit.
Only Two Committees Ready.
Against the set program OF hav-
ing all committee reports submitie ed |
by March s, only two major commit |
tees have completed their Work-the !
MILITARY and naval bodies. These !
terms are now ready for inclusion in |
the peace treaty, except for a few
minor details.
Preparation, boundaries and post
war economic terms are still in a |
fluid state.
AT the present rate OF progress \
the discussions must drag on for /
weeks. But certain conferees agree |
this cannot be the case. In view of /
reports from Hungary and Austria,
some drastic action appears likely to |
be taken within a few days.
The President and other leaders |
have put in long hours, and the COM |
mfttees have done the same, but they
have little to show for their efforts |
Since the Presidents return.
whether the peace treaty is COM
pleted by next Saturday, as planned. /
depends on whether a different pro- |
gram from the present dickering is !
forced through"