REPARATION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 83, 7 April 1919, Page 5

REPARATION.

FIXING THE TOTAL

JTREATY IN THREE WEEKS,

PAYMENTS FOR 35 YEARS

(Received 10.50 a.m.)

r LONDON. April 6. Mr. Lloyd George, in an interview Srith a representative of the "Matin," said that at the end of April or the beginning of May the conference would be able to invite the Germans to come and sign the reparation treaty. The question was complicated by disagreement between technical experts on tbe method of payment and the amount to be collected. There were, however, no differences in the conference, and the. plenipotentiaries were settling those between experts.

According to tbe newspaper "Journal" the first instalment of the indemnity will be £1,000,000,000 of which £200.000,00*0 ■will be in payment for raw material Secessary for the resumption of Germany's economic existence. France will receive £400,000,000 of the first instalment, and Belgium £200,000,000, The remainder of the indemnity will be spread •ver 35 years, amounting annually to 1420,000,000 accordng to some, 'and 1200,000,000 according to others.

The Conference Financial Commission prepared eighteen articles for inclusion In the Peace Treaty, the majority of Which were unanimously adopted.— (A. »nd 5.7.. Cable.)

Mr. Wlson has been absent from the "Big Fi ur"' meetings for the last few days owing to a chill. The leaders are ■till trying to reach a conclusion oa tI»A total indemnity to be imposed on GerXneny. — (Reuter.) DIVERGENT VIEWS. ;] fWIESOH AND CLEMENCEAU. !' v " LONDON, April 6. The "Evening Standard" reports that li high authority states that the peace treaty will be completed on Wednesday. Mr. Lloyd George will make a statement in the House of Commons before he signs at. , A committee on which France, Britain and America are represented has been constituted to find a Rhineland formula. The newspapers unfavourably comment on the delay occasioned by referring so many matters to committees. The "Daily Mail"' is showing marked hostility to Mr. Lloyd George's policy. It girds at the lack of publicity concerning the doings of the Conference, and declares that if the Conference fails it will be due to secretiveness. The Conference •had now reached the eleventh hour. The etroko of twelve would ring in peace or chaos.

The newspapers have become increasingly outspoken regarding the Paris cleavage of opinion. The Ministerial papers approve Mr. Lloyd George's utterance reconciling Mr. Wilson's and M. Clemenceau's divergent views.

The "Morning Post" protests that Mr. Lloyd George does not affirm full and unqualified support for France's claims. The "Daily News" says that if the French policy were followed a League of Nations ■peace would be impossible.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

The deadlock at the Conference continues. The question is who gives in first? Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George, offer France the neutralisation of the left bank of the Rhine and the Saar Valley. M- Clemenceau refuses any solution other than the annexation of the Saar basin und a lengthy occupation of the Rhine. The British delegation thinks the position grave, but expects an early decision. The greatest danger seems to be that the decision will raise a storm of protest and perhapß a repudiation by France, while the publication of the indemnity terms is expected to dist-rb the British public. The Supreme Council, in response to tbe lashings of the Press, has issued a peremptory order that the final reports of all commissions must be ready by Monday. The Economic Commission has been instructed to prepare for Germany's refusal to sign, the intention being to restore a sharp and complete blockade. No one expects a renewal of fighting in the West. The Allies are confident that starvation will settle Germany.

The Dominion delegations are expressing the hope that they will be kept in closer touch with th'j proceedings, which are becoming more secret every day. Indeed, the Dominion representatives lately have been finding time hang heavily on their hands. — (United Service.)