The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-17
WILSON WROTE
GERMAN CALL
Summons to Farley Signed by
% Nations Associated in
the War.
TREATY STILL A SECRET
America May Accept Mandate
for Constantinople, Urged
by Britain.
TREATY STILL A SECRET
ny LAURENCE HILLS,
Std1 Correspondent Of The Sun.

PARIS, April 16.-The invitation
which has gone to Germany to send
her peace delegates here on April %
was written, it is understood, by
President Wilson. Representatives Of
the eighteen nations at war with Ger
many. exclusive Of the Big Five. at a
meeting to-day, called by Premier
Clemenceau, formally gave their ap-
proval. Thus the invitation was sent
in the name of twenty three belig-
gerents.
1t Is said here that It will be virtu-
ally impossible to fix a time limit
on the German negotiations, but the
indications are that one week only
will be allowed for reference of the
peace treaty to the German Assembly
at Weimar. What will happen then
nobody knows. so it is impossible for
the Allies and associated Powers to
lay out programme in advance.
Secrecy Stil, Preserved.
The treaty will be laid before the
Peace Congress in plenary but secret
session, according TO the present pro-
gramme, but 1t will not be published
until the Germans get 1t.
The Interesting features of the pres
ent situation are first the effort that
President Wilson is making now to
emphasize that he is in accord with
Premier Clemenceau. in answer to
the support that the President sud-
denly has begun TO receive from the
French newspapers, and, second. the
consideration that tine President has
commenced to give TO the Turkish
question and the suggestion that he
may recommend an. American man
date for Constantinople. Some of his
closest advisers believe that this is
the greatest chance ever offered for
America to show the world her et-
ficiency without expense to herself,
the problem involving jonly the use
Of forceful man like Herbert Hoover
to act as the Lord Cromer Of Turkey.
Urged by the British.
The British are urging the plan,
as they do not want the French TO
get the mandate, and the Americans
now are showing greater inclination
for the Constantinople than for the
Armenia mandate:
ba e.t, q
Wilson and Premier Clemenceau is
very interesting. The President Is
represented as taking great, satisfac-
tion that he has stuck TO the fourteen
points. but still has been able to sat
isfy France. The greatest cordiality
now prevails. But regarding the
real cause for this. the definite assur-
ance that President Wilson has given
TO France that the United States will
aid her If she should be attacked. the
Presidents spokesman are pledged to
absolute silence. 1t is the great mys-
terry Of the conference.
Covered by Peace Treaty.
Apparently the engagement made
by the President, over which Premier
Clemenceau has expressed to his
friends such satisfaction. is based on
these lines: That the United States
for the first time has become a sigma
tory to a treaty which creates new
boundaries and new conditions in Eu-
rope; that the ratification Of this
treaty by America will make it the
law there, the enforcement of which
is the duty of the executive; and that
the United States can be counted upon
always to see that treaties to which
it Is a party are enforced. the execu-
tive power employing any means re-
quired for this purpose.
Only the vaguest hints arc obtain
able in American circles as to the
form Of assurances which may have
been given and which seem to have
caused such a profound change in the
French attitude. A point still unde-
cided seems to he whether or not
France, Great Britain and the United
States are to bind themselves in the
treaty Itself TO insure the enforce
ment of its terms. This Is favored
by the French; also 1t would bring
the matter before the American Sen
ate and comply with constitutional
requirements.
Suggestions of mere gentle
mems agreement" so far as the
United States would be bound, natur.
ally are preposterous. The Presi-
dent. 1t is pointed out by many. as
the executive possibly could assure
(,ottfiaued ma asnoaa pao.