PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16470, 13 March 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

DRAFT TREATY NEARING COMPLETION. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) (Australian und N.Z. Cablo Association.) WASHINGTON, March 11. It is understood that the draft of the Peace Treaty is nearly complete. _ It is expected that it will bo signed within a fortnight. APPEAL BY THE POPE. PARIS, March 11. The Pope has appealed to the Powers to make a speedy peace with Germany, because of the danger of Bolshevism. THE MILITARY TERMS. PARIS, March 11. Tile Council of Ten is continuing its discussion on Great Britain's proposed modification of the military terms imposed on Germany. Thero are _ two propositions—Marshal Foeh's maximum of 20D,000, permitting conscription, and Mr Lloyd George's maximum of •"0.000 to 70.0Cf>, prohibiting conscription. A definite decision is expected during the next two days. According fo a Washington message the Runremo War Council has agreed to Mr Lloyd George's plan of a voluntary German Army of small extent. The militnrv terms imposed on Germany include the prohibition of tho manufacture of poison gas. tanks, guns of over six-inch calibre, the destruction of surplus war material, and tho abolition of war training: schools. Tho Navy is to be limited to 15.000 sailors. COMPLIANCE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. (Received March 12th, 9.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 11. The Gorman floet will be restricted to six ironclads, five cruisers, and twelve large and twenty-six small destroyers# Germany will bo required to comply with the military terms within two months. A LONG-SERVICE ARMY.

(Itcceived March 13th, 1.30 a.m.) ' PARIS, March 10. M. Piclion states that the"War Council adopted, in principle, Mr Lloyd ! George's proposition for a long-service | volunteer German Army. j AMERICA ANT> REPARATION. PARIS, March 8. The American delegates told the Peace Conferenco that the _ United States would be satisfied with the amounts collected by the Alion Proporty Custodian in the United States as payment for reparation from the Central Powers. The property seized amounts to 800,000,000 dollars.. (Received March 12th, midnight). WASHINGTON, March 10. Mr Palmer, the Custodian of Enemy Property, announces that during the last sixteen ,months he has seized 35,400 individual enemy properties, exceeding in value 700,000,000 dollars. DISPOSAL OP GERMAN FLEET. LONDON, March 9. Tho Washington correspondent of the "Now York Tinjes" says that President Wilson, in a letter to a Congressman, declared his opposition to the proposed sinking of the German Navy. PROTECTION OF WORKMEN. ' (Received March 12th, 7.30 p.m.) PARIS, March 9. It is understood the German delegates to the Peace Conference will particularly urge the adoption of measures for the protection of the workmen of the world, such as equitable conditions of labour sjnd the right to organise unions. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. (Received March 12th, 7.3Q p.m.) NEW YORK, March 9. Tho United Press correspondent on board fhe President's vessel, states it is understood that Mr Wilson is opposed to any changes in the draft constitution of the 'League' of "Nations. Mr Wilson will undoubtedly pusji such opposition when he reaches' Paris. DEVASTATED FRANCE. j (Received March 13th, 1.30 a.m.) I PARIS, Marph 10. M. Deschpel, president of tbp'Chamber qf !Dop|itifis, says thati out of six miljion deyasfatpd acres in Northern France, a quarter of a million will never again ciiltivaulp, wjiilo another million will be cultivqblp only at"g}'es|t expense- A irullion acres of forests JiaVß been destroyed. HOLLAND AND BELGIUM. (Received March 12th, 11.15 p.m.) PARIS, March 9. The newspapers are strongly in favour of tho' revision of the 1839 treaty in Belgium's favour, on tlio ground that Holland violated it by not opposing tho passage of the German troops. VARIOUS aiATTJSRS. (Received March 12th, 11.15 p.m.) PARIS, March 12. It is expected the Conference will accept Denmark's offer to submit the question of Schleswig to a, plebiscite. It is considered pertain that Poland will receive Dantzjg. A special department J»as been created to identify and rocorsr inachincry stolen frqm Franco and, Belgium. Germany's food requirempnta have been assessed at 300,000 tons monthly, consisting entirely of wheat and pieat at the outset.

The' Conference is likely to appoint forthwith a Commission to define the meaning of mandate. Mr Hugh eg sent a note to M. Clemenocau urging despatch. He said tho uncertainly embarrassed Australia. CANADA AND THE PACIFIC. (Received March 13th, 12.30 a.m.) PARIS, March 10. Sir Robert L. Borden, Premier of Canada, interviewed in Paris, stated that the United States and Canada were vitally and directly interested in affairs in the Pacific, which would become the centre of their activities in the future. Canada's viewpoint in the Pacific was the same as that of the United States.