Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 February 1919 — BOURGEOIS’ PLAN MEETS DEFEAT [ARTICLE]

BOURGEOIS’ PLAN MEETS DEFEAT

Proposition for an Inter-Allied Military Force Fails to Pass. NEW WAR FEAR SUBSIDES Public Nervousness Over Possibility of Active Fighting Diminishes as Foch Tightens the Screws on the Germans Paris, Feb. 14.—Leon Bourgeois’ proposition for aj> inter-allied military force to enforce peace was defeated nt a meeting of the Society of Nations. The draft of the Society of Nations plan wns then unanimously adopted as a whole. The final draft consists of 20 articles. President Wilson will personally rend It to a plenary meeting of-the peace conference today. The conference will not be asked to finally adopt it at this time. The first subject considered on the resumption of the sitting of the commission on a society of nations con-cerned-an International military force. President Wilson was not present at the session, having to attend the supreme war council, Lord Robert Cecil acted as chairman during his absence. The commission, according to an official communication, received the report of the drafting committee, with the result that several new articles have been added to the orlginnl text, and phrases changed with a view to clarification. More than a quarter of the draft was approved in this final form. .

First Plan Modified. The text of the plan for the society as first drawn up by the peace conference commission and altered In some cases at the instance of President Wilson was afterward amended. It developed, after representations by Leon Bourgeois, the French authority, on the question, whose ideas are stated to have been received by the allies. In one case the plan was amended so as to provide that the nations having menbershfp in the league should pledge themselves to take up arms if necessary for the maintenance of the Integrity of their respective territories. In addition to this, it has developed, the commission discarded the idea of virtually making the Society of Nations a superstate. Foch Tightens Screws. Paris, Feb. 14. —Public nervousness over the possibility of active fighting, which the 'cancellation of soldiers’ leaves had foreshadowed, has diminished, owing to reports inspiring confidence that Germany cannot now dream of a renewal of warfare. Nevertheless French opinion strongly favors exacting a pledge from Germany that she will obey the terms in letter and in spirit. As the conference discussions wear on the possibility of the exercise of force Is diminishing daily. It is proposed that the German constituent assembly be asked to pledge explicitly that the German nation will adhere to the new armistice terms and give material assurances in that direction to show its good faith. Tightening the Screws.

The supreme war council considered these points: 1. The demand of a pledge from Germany that she will live up to the clauses of the previous armistice agreements, which thus far site has not religiously done. 2. A set of entirely new conditions which would virtually amount to a preliminary peace, including complete disarmament, cessation of the manufacture of war material, evacuation of Polish territory and pledges to repair the war damage. r ftie impression prevails here that I resident Wilson felt scruples abont Imposing new conditions, while Clemenceau Insists France must have a complete guarantee of security against a revival of German military power after the allies have demobilized their armies.

Acid Test for Enemy. In French official circles ft is understood the recently elected leaders and spokesmen of the German people will be placed under the acid test to show whether Germany has reformed since the overthrow of kaiserlsm. They will be asked, in effect, “Will you keep your agreements or will you wej.ch?”, If It Is shown that the old spirit prevails, the allies will take appropriate measures. The previous armistice clauses not yet fulfilled by the Germans are notably : 1. Delivery of rolling stock. 2. Restitution of stolen machinery, stocks and bonds. 3. Surrender of all submarines and designated merchant ships. 4. Discontinuance of the manufacture of arms and airplanes. 5. Permission of allied Inspection of German war plants. Deny They Were Beaten. Above all else towers the claim repeatedly heard from the lips of responsible German leaders, lately that Germany was not beaten, and therefore refuses to pay the damages, . | It is likely the allies w ( ill demand immediate deniobiliaation, a step not taken last November because it was feared it might result in large scale disorder in Germany., .... ■ Na