Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-03-21
Treaty In
Linnelight
In Capital.
Much Interest in Visit of
Former French Premier
Will Attempt to Convert
Ideas of Harding.
Foes Of Pact Confident
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Ihjcay 20 Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

By ARIHUK SEARS HENNlNG.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Washington. March 20,-Will for
ner Premier Niviani of France sue
cecd or fail in influencing President
Harding in the formulation OF the
peace program he will submit 10 the
forthcoming session oL-the 9th con-
gresS,
This is the foremost topic OF spc-
culation in Washington III regard to
Developments uf international affairs,
Accompanied by Stephan Lauzannc,
the French journalist, NJ. Vivian
VIII arrive the latter part OF this
week for stay OF three weeks or
more, during which period he wilt
discuss international problems with
the president. Secretary OF State
Hughes and other cabinet members
and number OF senator's and repre-
sentatives.
Advocates of ratification by the
United States, OF the Versailles
treaty in some form aud acceptance
OF modified league of nations COW
enant. are exceedingly hopeful that
the former French premier will
weaken the presidents opposition to
such course by his representations
of the financial and economic plight
OF France and the necessity OF strong
concerted action by the powers, in
cluding the United States, to force
Germany to pay the prescribed Tepa-
rations.
May Delay Decisions. Z
Senators who are irreconcilsblv
opposed 10 the treaty and the cove
nant are confident that NJ, Niviani's
visit will have no effect on the for
mutation OF the peace program be-
yond delaying announcement by the
president, OF the course Of action up
on which he shall have decided. 1t
is known that the president desires
the fullest discussion OF the prob
lens which. will be brought to the
lore by the visit OF the distinguished
Frenchman and it is conceived to be
unlikely that any final decisions will
be reached until after he has de-
parted.
The present status of interchanees
between the Harding administration
and the allies is one of diplomatic
sparrings. Mr.. Hughes started out by
making it clear to the allied ambas-
sador* that the United States viii
enter upon no discussions of the mat
>ters tksy wish to take up with the
administration until the allies have
conceded the inalienable rights OF
America in the inundated territories.
The position assumed by the allies
is that they are seeking nothing,
have nothing to take up with the
United States and merely desire to
cooperate to the best OF their ,.bil-
ity with the Harding administration.
Want Support Of United States.
The utterances of NJ. Viviani on
the eve of his departure for g.he
United States, however, leave no
doubt that he wishes to present 70
the president the question of the
= United States backing up France il
wrestling the indemnity from Ger
many. The most acceptable form of
American assistance, in his opinion,
would be American ratification of the
Versailles treaty and entrance into
the league Of nations with article 10
eliminated from the covenant
Mr.. Harding is now wholly op-
posed to such action by the United
States and there are few even of the
pro-leaguers who entertain hopes
that the president can be persuaded
by NJ Niviani 1t would be neces-
sary for the former French premier
to convert the president from the
view that the United States ought
not to enter the present league of ma
ticns, which is a permanent military
alliance, either with or without at
t:cle 10, and ought not to underwrite
the terms of the peace OF Paris, the
\ Sdangerous potentialities OF Which are
being demonstrated by current de-
vclopments in Europe.
Might Take Less.
1t is possible that France would
be content with something much
less than NJ. Vivian will propose,
possibly some official endorsement
by the United States OF the meas
ures adopted to exact German pay
ment of the reoarations. Anything
that would seod - disintegrate Ger
man resistance and start the repara-
tion payments would benefit France
immensely. With revenue from rep
arations pouring into the treasury,
the credit of France would be great
ly improved and the French govern
inent would be able to negotiate on
better terms loans from American
hnanciers.
What administration officials fail
10 understand IS the necessity for
American assistance in enforcing the
peace terms. With Germany with
out navy and military armament and
with the British navy and a French
army OF close to 100000 men now
under arms, it would seem that the
allies need no additional help in i'm
posing their will upon the German
reothIic