Evening journal., 1919-02-12
PARIS RIFT SETS
c! PlTAL [UzzING
French Government | S
Rocking the Boat
Washington Believes
SAY PRESIDENT
is HAMPERED

WASHINGTON. Feb. i2.-Diplomatic
Washington was sgog yesterday over
publication OF press dispatches from
Paris, indicating the possibility Of g
schism in the Peace Conference and the
suggested removal OF the seat OF -the
deliberations TO some other country.
Surprise was manifested In some i'm
portant Allied quarters that the trouble
at Paris threatening refusal OF one OF
more OF the peace delegations 10 be the
Guests OF France should ind their way
into print, but II was admitted that the
situation In Paris was not happy one,
that that drastic developments might
follow II there was not an early I'M
provement.
Il is not felt. however. that neutral
country would be selected as the seat
OF the future deliberations, should II be
found necessary TO take the conference
elsewhere e, but that the selection would
be made between London. Rome and
Washington Brussels. II was thought
could not furnish the accommodations
which would be absolutely necessary.
There wss a general inclination to
by the entire blame for the III feeling
which had been engenederd at Paris
upon the French Government. IN addi-
tion 10 the statements maze by Premier
Clemenceau, indicating Frances fidelity
10 the old system OF balance OF power
and alliances, which President VIII
son had ouispokenly and emphatically
condemned, the French Premier has
also taken a very questioning attitude
toward the projected league Of nations,
and It Is realized by diplomats here that
the French position, II maintained,
would be sufficient TO defeat the aims
OF Pres dent Wilson and make the
league draft convention as innocuous
as any adopted at the Hague confer
ences.
In addition to Premier Clemenceau's
statements. interviews given by NJ.
Pichon. French Foreigfi Minister. are
also understood 10 be obnoxious to the
american delegation, especially his
declarations 10 the representatives OF
the press Saturday, when he sssailed
the prospective meeting Of Allied rep
resentatives with the representatives OF
the Russian Soviet Republic and raised
the question whether the proposed con-
ference ever would be held.
One authority has suggested that II
might be impossible for President
Wilson to make further progress Of a
positive and final character at Paris
before the arrival OF the German and
Austrian peace delegations. whose sup
port for his projects Is apparently as
sured. Il Is said that the French take
a view Of the matter In which the as
ISOLATED governments should treat the
enemy countries which Is redically
different from that entertained by
President Wilson, and that France Op-
poses permitting Germany TO state her
own case before the conference until
after the associated governments shall
have arranged a de0nitive peace. COW
ering every point. which would not be
subject TO review after the German
delegation shall have been admitted 10
the conference, and which would like
wise deny a right OF hearing 10 either
Germany. Austria. Turkey or Bulgaria.
Up TO the present moment. it IS be-
lieved here, President Wilson has been
"the saving grace" of the Peace Con-
ference. Now, however. that the dan
ger Of a German military revival Is
most remote, II Is said TO be possible.
owing TO the armistice terms, which
have already been executed. for he
Allied nations TO enforce any peace de-
sired by them without the assistance
OF America in the Geld. and some Of
the Allied nations. excluding Great
Britain and Italy, are revealing their
ambitions and their deter
mination 10 secure a peace Of VEN
geance. despite their previous accept
ance Of President Wilson's fourteen
points,
Il was hinted here that during Presl-
dent Wilson's absence from Paris the
work OF the Peace Conference would be
devoted chiefly 10 studies. invest'ga-
tions and reports, with recommendation
for action to be taken after the Presl-
dents return 10 France.