The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-01-14
R0GRESS
Of PEACE
MAKERS
Conferees are Moving Along
Rapidly in Disposing OF
Several Vital Cues
tions.
NEW PROBLEMS ARISE
=
Careful Consideration Of such items
as Whether or Not to Assist
Poland.
NEW PROBLEMS ARISE
fTBy Lowell Mlellett. United Press 6ean
L GnrreanOndemf.

IBy Lowell Mellett. United Press cSsAl
Correspondent
PARIS, Jan. 1.-THE peace CONFER
ces are making rapid progress In ais
position OF vital questions. Yet TO-DAY
revealed new problems that show why
the sittings must continue Yor many
months.
The principle questions that seem IN
a fair way OF prompt and amicable set
tlemcnt, are Italy's claims TO Dalma'
Tia and domination OF Syria and
Frances desire for acquisition OF the
Saar valley.
Either Of these matters might We'll
have been the sole issue OF q war. bul
both italy and France are showing an
inclination to waive their claims IN
this regard.
On the other hand such questions as
that presented by Poland, involving
the fate OF an ambitious and intelli-
gent people. numbering millions, are
necessitating policy OF deliberate
and careful consideration. The Polish
question has remained unsolved for
many centuries, for the reason that it
was never considered from the view
point OF the Poles own rights ana
wishes.
1t was clear today. following Secre-
tary Lansing's denial Of reports that
America advocated rushing troops to
the aid Of the two principal factions
ir Poland, that the Poles must de-
eide their own destiny. The United
States, Is not prepared to discount the
splendid battle carried on ty General
Pilsudski for the peoples rights
throughout the world war.
And it is unwilling to allow itself to
be frightened by the label ''socialist"
with his opponents national COM
mittee-is attempting to fasten on
Pllsudski's party. On the contrary
American delegates are taking the
view that IL the Poles want social
istic government, it is their right.
Students of European affairs are
watching the unceasing efforts of the
national committee to control Polish
affairs Possibility Of committees sue
cess was strengthened whom Ignace
Paderewski went to Poland-presum-
ably under allied protection-with the
alleged intention OF overthrowing Pill
sudski and setting UP q new govern
ment. The famous pianist, because OF
his tremendous personal popularity
and unQllestioned love OF country, un-
doubtedly is the biggest national fig
ure Of Poland. Fear was expressed,
that he was unwilling to be
used as the committees catspaw.
The notional committee is reported
to represent aristocratic interests who
have been out Of touch with the peo
pie since the beginning Of the war.
The American delegation has made
it plain that 1t cannot be swept Off its
feet by an alarm OF 'tbolshevist"
menace to Poland. 1t intends to get to
the bottom of the case though it is will
ing to assist the present government
with arms and ammunition, II neces-
sary There is no reason to fear for
Pilsudskis loyalty to the allies, in
view of the fact that he was released
IL November from a German prison.
To Reduce Delegations.
.rBy William Philip Simms, United
Press STAFF Correspondent
PARIS, Jan. IA movement was
under way today to reduce the pro-
portionate representation of small ma
tions at the peace conference, in or
der to make the congress less un-
wieldly. Under the original scheme
proposed by France, delegates were
to be apportioned according to the i'm
portance OF the role .-leir nations
played in the war This apparently
has been changed so the various pow
ers will be represented according to
the Importance of their peace inter
eSts.
This would not affect the Ave great
United States, Great
Britain, France, Italy and Japan
each of which would retain five dele
gates. The other nations would vary
between one and three representa-
fn6atSn Snnaie = -. -