The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-04-17
INSISTS FOURTEEN POINTS
MUST BE PEACE BASIS

Paris, April l2.-Varied construc-
ton has been placed on the orders for
the return of the presidents ship since
his action became public. In certain
quarters the course was considered as
mere bluff. 1t was far from that. On
the other hand, it was far from mean
ing that President Wilson considered
his efforts here in vain and that he
would quit.
President Wilson feels that the time
for delay has passed and that action is
now imperative. In his view the de-
lays thus far encountered are due to
the play of selfish interests, which do
not conduce to future peace. He pur-
poses reducing the problem to simple
elements and asking acquiescence on
those phases in which the course Of
duty lies plain before the conference.
This duty he regards as being suf
ficiently defined by the fourteen points.
His attitude is that peace must be
based on the fourteen principles laid
down in that document which has been
accepted by the allies and by Germany.
He declines to permit the issue to
be clouded. Each question is to be
measured anew in the light of these
precepts and those questions that fall
outside the prescribed limits are to be
dropped from further consideration.
II France or other participants in
the conference decline to assent to
this method he will not submit to
further procrastination, but will with
4 Al. x.,,s h ha a
American delegation. But if there
shall be cessation of bargaining and
false pretenses he will see the thing
through.
He believes that to permit narrow
national interests to override the obvi-
Gus dictates of justice would be to in
vite certain repetition of war and
would make farcial all efforts to pro-
mote league of nations.
Americas own freedom from sell
fish aims gives her the privilege of
speaking frankly, and the time for
frankness, even for brutal frankness,
is at hand, in the presidents opinion.
He has declined to be satisfied with
the shadow while striving for the sub
stance. Should there be Il continual
tion Of policies in compatible with the
foundations already laid down, The
president will go back to America, as
semble congress in special session and
ask that the state of war with Ger
many be declared at an end, leaving
the allies to act as they see fit.
With the George Washington ready
in French port, he will be in position
to embark ut moments notice should
occasion, arise. II matters are
smoothed out he will direct that the
ship make another trip, while he will
20 on with the job for which he came
TO Paris.
1t would be idle to depreciate he
seriousness Of the situation, for the
president was never more in earnest
and his fighting spirit was never more
aroused than now; but there is rea-
son to believe that his attitude will
have immediate reaction on the con-
ference, in forcing the abandonment
of selfish interests and an agreement
upon practices consonant with ac-
cepted principles.
Paris conferences cannot afford to
permit breakup of their work now.
They came here for purpose that
must be executed. Realization of this
fact indicates that American views
will be met.
President Wilson assembled the
American delegation and in talk
of two hours he laid down the law.
He said traffic in principles must no
longer be tolerated and he declared
that the delegates must stand by their
guns.
This attitude had an effect upon
Yesterdays session of the Big Four,
in Premier Lloyd Georges house,
where Colonel House was present.
Reparaton was discussed and
agreement was reached precisely
along the line defined in these dis
patches several days ago, whereby
seven categories of damages are to be
used as a basis for calculation as TO
what Germany should pay; the amount
and the system Of payments to he de-
cided by a commission the conference
will appoint, which will meet within
the year. The commission will deslg-
nate the sums to be applied to repara-
ton and the sums that may be re-
served for purchases of food and sup
plies for the Germans.
1t is f,;r to say that Progress in this
direct a. ias been made and that fur
ther pl ,sress soon will be recorded by
the withdrawal of annexation claims.
GARRISON-REED
Mr.. Frank Garrison and Miss Hazel