The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-23
GERMAN ARMIES
WILL BE CUT TO
10000 AT ONCE
Supreme War Council Acts
Tomorrow on Provisions
Like Peace Treaty's.
FRANCE GETTING ANXIOUS
Expects Wilson to Provide
Army of 100000, but Fears
Result in Congress.
ny LAURENCE HILLS.
Star Corresrondent Of TIE SUN.


Stdr Correspondent Of THE SUN.
Copyright. 1919; all rights reserved.
PARIS, Feb. 22.-The new armistice
terms. which are to reduce Germany
to state OF military impotency on
land. at sea and in the air, and to be
a practical duplicate of the conditions
to be imposed by the actual treaty of
peace. have been completely drawn up
and were the subject Of long confer
ence last night between Gen. Tasker
II. Bliss, Col. f. NJ. House and other
members of the American mission.
The terms will be reported to the Su-
preme War Council on Monday.
In an effort to allay French fears
the Allies have laid down an even more
drastic army reduction plan for Ger
many than was intended at first. 1t
is understood now that Germany will
be permitted to have no more than ten
divisions in her new army, which
would be about $50. 1000 men.
In addition to this agreement. which
is expected to minimize the danger to
France on her eastern frontier 1t is
now admitted that both Great Britain
and America, through their represen-
tatives here. virtually have given
pledges to maintain adequate estab-
lishments themselves, so as to give
France effective assistance should it
become necessary. Just how much of
a pledge could be given In view OF the
authority exercised by Congress over
the army and navy appropriations is
not made plain here.
PledEing Future Congresses.
case OF trying to guarantee the action
Of future Congresses to put through
the league plans. There seems reason
to believe that some such assurance
was given by President Wilson before
he left 10 induce France to waive her
objections
Complete naval and aerial disarma-
ment also is provided in the new ar
mistice, together with the raZing OF
frontier fortihcations and those of
Helgoland and the Kiel Canal. In
effect it will mean the end of the war
| ne Germany, when the terms have
been carried out. will be absolutely
unable to resume hostilities.
Supporters OF the League of Nations
plan. which President Wilson is carry
ing home to defend. are fearful OF the
consequences here OF the unwillingness
no in
dispatches from Washington received
here. to sanction any permanent army
! for the United States of more than 175.
| 900 men.
1t is pointed out here that such an
army, 5000 miles away. would give lit
tie sense of protection to France, and she
is very likely to advance this as an ar
gument why the League OF Nations
| should be backed by some international
force. The greatest difficulty which the
President and his associates still are
! facing in getting the league plan
| through this conference is Frances feel
! ing Of Insecurity.
Rhine's Status Is Involved.
This is involved also in the problem
of the status in the future of the left
A4ak I of the RhInA. This. FEAs~ .Leeling
Is that the protection OF the country de-
mands the frontier shall be the Rhine
or that an independent buffer State shall
| be created.
Before France can be induced to ac-
cept the league plan as now drawn and
to waive her claim that the Rhine should
be the frontier assurance must be given
her that she can expect adequate pro-
| lection and assistance. She can be
brought to accept the league plan by
| some agreement to be reached with
| America by which both nations would
undertake virtually TO keep themselves
sufficiently strong to stop Germany In
any attempt the latter might make, de-
spite the disarmament she Is to undergo.
TO invade France In the future.
There IL reason to believe that Pres
ident Wilson and the others here were
impressed with this British suggestion.
although how far they went toward max
ing an actual promise to maintain a
large army is not known. From what is
known here, however. 1t appears that
the Administrations army plan was
laid out with n view to the share that
America would have to take In the
league.
Enforcing Leagues DEGREES.
Possessing no force OF its own. as was
provided by the French plan. the League
OF Nations must rely for the physical
means of enforcing its DEGREES and Civ
ing the protection II is supposed to af-
ford largely Cd the military forces OF
Great Rritain, America and France. not
reckoning much on Italy apparently.
For this reason any scaling down OF
the military appropriations In the United
States henceforth will be a matter OF
tremendous interest here and probably