The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1919-02-11
THE SOCIETY
OF nations
Mudsill of the Reconstruction.
This Arranged the Balance
of the Work
IS A MERE Detail

Paris, Feb. 10.-Coincident with
the return of Premier Lloyd George
to London and the expected depart
ure Of Premier Orlando for Rome
the Peace Conference proper will
assume new aspect. The Council
Of Ten will still remain in being,
but will function less frequently
than in the past.
President Wilson's time will be
chiefly occupied with the draft of
the League of Nations and the work
of the conference will largely be
carried on in commissions. This ar
rangement indicates that good prog
ress has been made in some direc-
tions, but in another respect it is
taken to show that the settlement
Of most outstanding questions waits
upon the League of Nations scheme.
Originally it was proposed here to
make the terms Of peace with Ger
many the first business Of the Peace
Conference. and according to
French view this would have proved
the more rapid and logical course.
The pressure of the view that a
good peace would be largely de-
pendent upon the formulation of
the League Of Nations plan, result
ed in modified procedure, admit
ting Of work along double line, an
examination of special problems ST.
multaneously with the discussion Of
the League Of Constitution.
Day by day it has become more
evident that once the principle of a
League of Nations had been solemn
ly accptped by the conference the
Constitution of the League must
take precedence over many other
questions, in the settlement of
which much would depend upon the
existence Of the League.
Alternative solutions will be stud
led in commissions meanwhile, but
it is thought highly probable that
there will be no plenary session of
the conference until President Will
son returns to Europe.
Essential problems of reparation
and the French and Italian terrific
rial claims will be thrashed out be-
fore commissions in the meantime
with the occasional interposition Of
the Supreme Council.
Lloyd George will probably be
away three weeks, and in his alb
sence Mr.. Balfo,, will head the
British delegation. The fact that
Earl Reading, who arrived in Paris
only a few days ago, will return to
London with his chief is taken to
indicate the Prime Minister'S feel
ing that in getting to grips with the
domestic problems he will have
need of sagacious advisers.
The report of Premier Orlando's s
expected departure, unlike that of
Lloyd George, which was announc-
ed early in the week, was unexpect-
ed, and gave rise to some sensation
al rumors, the main burden of
which was that there had been a Sc
rious divergence of view between
the Italian Premier and Foreign
Secretary Soninno. This tendency
to attach importance to rumors Of
this kind is deprecated by all, who
hold that heavy necessity will iron
out all inequalities Of view.
Predictions are being made that
except for the League of Nations
discussion during this and next
week the conference is entering up
on a dull period, so far as the press
and public are concerned. Most of
the work Of the commissions will
remain secret until their recommen-
dations can be ratified.
AS a result of the necessity OF
close attention to the affairs of the
Peace Conference, President Wilson
has been forced to abandon his pro-
posed trip to Belgium.
1t is stated that the pressure OF
the Presidents duties in Paris will
be SO great in the few days remain
ing before his departure for the
United States that he has been. com.
pellled reluctantly to forego his
trip.