The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-15
ENJOYS
RESUME THEIR
conferences
Two Forces Behind Move
ment for World League But
Differ as to Means for Max
ina It Effective.

PARIS. Jan. rs. (By the Associated
Press with the reSumptton today OF
meetings preliminary to the peace con-
ference Il is apparent that the move
ment to create a league of nations Is
heing carried ON by two forces having
the same object, but differing as to
the means for making il effective. One
OF these represents the contention that
the decisions of the league must be
backed by its combined physical forces.
while the other represents the view
that It's findings can be enforced with
out the aid OF a common world police
force,
Diplomatists seem Impressed with the
view that both ideas are moving to-
ward common ground which, for en-
ample, might provide that the nations
could reserve for each individual cause
their decisions whether they would
utilize armed force or avail them
selves OF other means
There Is reason to believe that such
an arrangement would meet with the
support OF some OF the European states
men and there Is nothing to Indicate
that It would be rejected by the Amer
lean representatives.
The plans are being rapidly put into
shape IN informal conferences and are
working toward a position where the
peace conference in full session can
discuss them thoroughly and then prob
ably name a committee or commission
from among its membership to produce
the framework In writing. with the
assistance Of the technical advisers
On Credentials.
The work before todays session Of
the supreme council comprised compile
tion Of the allotment Of representation
ot the various nations and a further
delving into the question OF whether
Russia should have delegates in tbs
larger body In n large sense the work
today may be compared to that OF a
credentials committee preceding the
sittings Of an American national con-
venton, The preliminary sessions VIII
continue work on the question contin-
uously, with the expectation OF having
II entirely disposed of by Saturday,
when the first formal sitting OF the
peace congress win he held
The program commonly agreed upon
calls for primary consideration or the
forming OF n league Of nations, and
the congress viii work on this to the
exclusion of all other subjects,
Those European statesmen who now
appear friendly to the purpose Of put
ting the league of nations question
to the fore have repeatedly expressed
the view that the formation OF the
league and the making Of peace are
Joint problems which can not be dis
associated, The efforts thus seem 70
bend all energies to tlte laying OF the
Foundation OF the league, so that the
conference may proceed TO the actual
making OF the peace treaty In the early
spring, even indeed Il Il be only n
preliminary one, which will dispose OF
the pressing question OF demoblliza-
tion and the return of the warning
countries as nearly as possible to the
economic conditions OF peace. This Is
.tsuaI
conference as Of the utmost necessity
and is not view confined to the
Europeans alone,
The sponsors for the league of ma
tiOnS plan contemplate the broadening
out Of the functions of the proposed
league az the preliminary discussions
proceed, their assumption being that
these will range far into the subjects
OF raw material and finance. proceeding
on the theory that the financial or eco
nCmic domination OF smaller nations
by the larger Is no less a danger than
armed domination The financial pro-
gram OF the league, as viewed in these
quarters, will be to consider whether
tho leugue itself should lend it's aid
financially and economically to the
small independent states which are ris-
ing out Of the war.
Allies Complaining.
While the apportionment of delegates
to the peace congress has not yet been
officially made known, the list pub
lished after Mondays session OF the
supreme council has made an unfavor-
able impression among some of the
missions according to the French
press
The Serbians and Belgians are nota4
bly, dissatisfied with the giving of three
delegates to Brazil, while they are only
permitted two each.
President Wilson will have before
him an independent estimate of the
actual physical damage suffered by
France and Belgium during the war
when the peace congress reaches the
stage OF discussing indemnities A sur
vey Is now being planned and will prob
ably he conducted by more than 200
American army officers chosen espe.
Clnlly for the work
Many difficulties are presented. for
In many OF the devastated regions
there are absolutely no records avail