Evening star., 1919-04-09
FRENCH DENOUNCE
j. S. DELEGATION
Ordering of Presidents Ship
to Brest Called Black
mail by Press.
AMERICANS SECRETWE
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS. April 9-The harsh denun-
citation of the American peace deiega-
ton by the French press and charges
that the ordering of the transport
George Washington to come to Brest
before its regular time is nothins
short of blaclsnaiI have not anected
the American delegates. who apparent
iy are not surprised at the newspaper
criticism
While the Americans repeatedly re-
affirm their belief that considerable
progress has been made III tne las.
three days, one member remarked to-
day:
1T is not a bad idea to have the
ship at Brest ready for the return
.ase to Clear Up Mystery. =
Talking cannot go on forexAH" and
similar cryptic replies are the most
definite information on the peace sit
e-tion the Associated Press has been
rssie to obtain from the members OF
khe American peace delegation, who
decline to clear up the mystery which
involves the proceedings of the big
four.
When asked today why it was nee
cessary for the travelling plans of
the American delegation to be de-
pendent upon the steamer George
Washington and why it could not go
home on the Leviathan or on other
ships sailing on an earlier date Tor
the United States, one of the Ameri-
can delegates replied that he did not
think it was necessary to make hur-
ried plans.
Prepare to Receive Huns.
Minor officials of the American dele
cation are working with the entente
delegation which is making prepara-
tion at Versailles for the reception OF
the German delegates and the actual
signing Of the treaty, while various
American experts with the subcommis-
sions are working day and night ar
ranging the reports of those bodies.
apparently without intimation of any
possible break in the proceedings.
President Wilson conferred last
night with Secretary Of State Lansing
concerning the minority report OF the
commission on responsibility for the
war. which was not clear to the Pres
ident. The question OF RESPONSE
bilities is under consideration by the
council of four today.
Assailed by Matin.
we do not accuse our allies of for
getting what France has done" says
the Matin today, but nevertheless
we witnessed q curious thing yester-
day. American propagandists or
newspaper men, knowing that Presi-
dent Wilson had Summoned to Brest
the ship which is to take. him back
TO America, saw in this natural order
an opportunity for blackmail.
They made-with the disapproval
Of all Americans who are friends OF
France bold-faced attempt at in
timidation- If you are not more ac-
commodatins' they went all over the
turn home and you can. extricate
yourself from your difficulties by
yourself.
Germany's First Payment.
The preliminary peace treaty will
require Germany to make an immedi-
ate indemnity payment on account. OF
81, 900. 10000 francs in cash and raw
materials, according to the Echo de
Paris.
The treaty. it declares. will not
leave uncertain the total amount
amount will be written into the docu-
ment.
The first interim report of the Sec
ond subcommittee of the peace con-
dealing with the financial capacity OF
enemy states and the means of pay
ment was adopted yesterday by the
commission. II was decided to pre-
sent this report and the report OF the
first subcommittee on categories of
damage and methods of valuation to
the general secretary of the peace
conference.
Pleads for Poland.
Ignace Jan Paderewski. the Polish
premier. was summoned before the
council of four today to present the
claims of Poland. The premier will
urge that Danzig must be given to
Poland and that Poland must have
the coal fields Of Teschen. Silesia,
upon which. it is said, Polish industry
depends.
Monroe Doctrine Issue.
In an article discussing whether the
Monroe doctrine can be reconciled
with the league of nations, the Matin
declares IL would be paradoxical to
uphold it, adding:
Either the league Of nations ex-
tends to the entire world. in which
case Europeans would violate the
Monroe doctrine in mingling in Amer
lean affairs. or the league of nations
includes only Europe. in which case
the Americans would violate the Mon
roe doctrine by mixing in European
affairs.
President at Work.
: PARIS. April s.-President Wilson
met with the premiers of Great
Britain, France and Italy today for
tfe first time since he became i'll.
The discussion of responsibility for
the war and the Sarre valley, which
was unfinished. today, will be CON
sinued tomorrow.
1t was not indicated whether the
President made any reference to the
summoning of the George Washing
ton.
PARIS, April Son account Of the
Presidents weakened condition the
afternoon session was comparatively
short Mr.. Wilson lying down immedi-
ately after it's adjournment, although
it was stated at the white hoHse"
that he was gradually improving sand
expected to attend all the meetings
OF the council hereafter.
Much of Tension Removed.
The return of President Wilson to
the council of four and the progress
made on various questions has re-
moved much of the tension which ex-
listed in conference circles, and has
led to renewed confidence in an early
and satisfactory conclusion.
The reparations problem now is con-
eidered definitely settled, and only mi
nor details concerning the functions