The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-04-02
Superior Body Of Peace Confer
ence Considers Sum Germans
Must Pay
WILSON DISCUSSES LEAGUE
COVENANT REVISION
President Issues. Statement to
Allay Apprehension Over Doc
ument for League of Nations.
Delay Not Due to Discussions
Of Commission.

paflS, March :! tBy tne ASSOclal-
ed Press The superior council OF
the president and .premiers row
known as the council of four. divid-
ed its labors to-day between the
white House and M Clemencaaa's S
private Office, adjoining the war Of
flee.
| The Franco-Gernan frontier Was
the chief topic of discussion, this fol-
lowing upon an agreement reached
last night on reparation for war dam
ages It is understood that this
agreement includes the vital point OF
the total amount Of indemnity, which
will not be announced at present, as
likely to cause discussion and arouse
hostility in, enemy quarters.
Il is noted as coincidence fhat a
German financial. commission is be-
ing chosen to come to Versailles,
where the settlement Of this branch
may include all interests
The frontier question turns ON the
disposition Of the Saar Valley coal re-
gicns ard the west bank, Of the
Rhine. The territorial experts have
said their last word and frankly de-
clare that it is question now Of po-
litical expediency on which the su-
preme council alone can pass.
Marshal Foch and Gen. Tasker Fl.
Bliss were. called into the council dur
ing III afternoon indicating that
military questions, including the Sc
rious situation in Hungary and Rus
sia, were receiving attention.
!, ,:,,f, L
ly been silent since his return to
Paris, believes the time is opportune
for statement which will allay ap-
prenension over the delay and show
that the revision of the corenant Of
the league of nations had proceeded
at night sessions, without any inter
ruption to the other main questions
President Wilson today issued the
following statement:
In view OF the very surprising i'm
preston which seems to exist in some
quarters that it is the discussions of
the commission ON the league of ma
tons that are delaying the final for
mutation Of peace, 1 am very glad 10
take the opportunity OF reporting that
the conclusions Of this commission
were the first to be laid before the
plenaay conference.
They were reported on February
-t4a and the world has had a full month
in which to discuss every feature Of
the Draft covenant then submitted.
During the last. few days the COM
mission has been engaged in an effort
to take advantage Of the criticisms
which the publication Of the cove
nant has fortunately drawn out. A
committee Of the commission has also
had the advantage OF conference
with representatives Of the neutral
States. who are evidencing Il very
deep interest and a practically unani-
mcus desire to align themselves with
the league.
The revised covenant is now prac-
ticaly finished. 1t is in the hands Of
a committee for the final process of
drafting and will almost immediately
be presented a second time to the
public.
The conferences Of the commission
have invariably been held at. times
when they could not interfere with
the consultation Of those who have
undertaken TO formulate the genar-
al conclusions Of the peace confer
ence with regard TO the many other
complicated problems of peace. So
that the members Of the commission
congratulate themselves on the feet
that no part of thei,. conferences. has
ever interposed any form of delay