The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-03-15
PEACE TREATY
| MAY BE READY
| IN THREEWEEKS
Lloyd George Urges Haste in
a. Signing Preliminary
Document
FRICTION CAUSE REMOVED
President Wilson Loses No Time
in Getting Down to
! Business
CAUSE REMOVED

Paris, March 15.-Speedy completion
of the preliminary peace treaty is un-
derstood to be the main endeavor Of
Premier Lloyd George when the con-
ference resumes full swing again. He
is said to be firm in the conviction that
the finishing and signing of the pre-
liminary peace pact should be the first
consideration Of the conference
While not so optimistic as some,
British conference circles incline to
the belief that the document will be
ready for signatures in about three
weeks. This preliminary compact
would not include any proposition for
the league Of nations.
Remove Cause Of Quarreis.
The British attitude Is that the mat
ter of first importance is to remove
the cause Of quarrels and let the de-
tailed settlement follow. For instance
all that is necessary to specify in the
preliminary compact regarding the
German colonies is that Germany
shall not get them back. There Is q
disposition that sucn questions should
not be allowed to cumber the initial
compact. but come under the league
OF nations covenant.
The opinion was ventured today that
the questions remaining before the
conference should move rapidly to
completion. 1t was pointed out that
the conference will be two months old
tomorrow.
On Wars Responsibility
A subcommittee on the committee
for responsibility for the war report
ed today that strictly and technical
criminal prosecution OF those who
brought about the struggle are un-
necessary according to an. official
cOmmunique issued this evening. The
report adds, however, that the peace
conference might adopt special
measures and might adopt special ma
chinery to deal with those who plan
ned the war" @
The subcommittee received evil
dence which clearly outlined the ori-
gin Of the conflict.
Another committee also submitted
its report and proposed high trib-
unal which Should not permit the ex-
ercise OF its criminal jurisdiction 70,
be blocked by considerations Of
rank"
The commission, it was announced.
is considering these reports.
Gets Down to Business.
President Wilson lost no time in
plunging into the problems OF the
peace conference ON his arrival here
today. His conference with Premier
Lloyd George, which began after the
president reached his dwelling place,
lasted an hour, while after luncheon
the president went to Col Houses
quarters and conferred Premier
Clemenceau. Premier Lloyd George
and the French minister of recon
struction.E This conference brought
together all the main directing forces
of the conference with the exception
of Premier Orlando, of Italy.
1t was stated after the conference of
the president with the premier's and
other ministers that the discussion had
been general one to familiariZe the
American executive with conditions
that had developed during his absence.
No action was taken regarding the
league of nations or with respect tO
any amendments. .
President Wilson states there has
been no change in the original plan for
linking together the league of nations
and the peace treaty. The plan vas
announced by the peace council itself
at the first plenary session, and It is
announced there has been no deviation
from the ariginal plans.