PEACE CONDITIONS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 145, 5 June 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONDITIONS.

German Counter Proposals. Wilson Urges Generosity. Recent Developments Reviewed. [nm association —ooptbicht.] (Received 5, 9.30.) Paris, June 4. The Council of Four is unable to agree respecting the financial modifications of the German treaty. President Wilson is pressing for generosity to German} - ; M. Clemenceau is resistingIn connection with certain undisclosed peace terms, it is understood that the Council of Four are reconsidering the inclusion of the reduction of the German indemnity, the dissolution of the Allied Financial Commission and a plebiscite in Silesia in order to guarantee German coal from the Silesian mines.— (A. and N.Z.) (Received 5, 12.5.) Paris, May 30. The Empire delegation, Mr Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward being present, discussed the German counter-proposals from a British viewpoint. Baron Rantzau, in a covering letter to the conference, expresses willingness to accept an army of 100,000, but desires Germany to become an immediate member of the League of Nations. He also requests a free plebiscite for Alsace and Lorraine. He is prepared to surrenler Posen and is willing that Dantzig, Koenigsberg and Memel become free ports. Two fresh German notes have been received, one dealing with German properties in Allied countries, the other with regard to the Turkish public debt and German possessions in San Paolo and Brazil. Though it is premature to say the Fiume difficulty is completely settled, there is every reason to assume that the Adriatic problem is nearing a solution on lines creating a little republic of Fiume, excluding Sarak, which belongs to Jugo Slavia- Fiume and its hinterland will probably he alministered by a council of five, composed of two Italians, one Croat, one Jugo Slav and one Hungarian. It is understood the Italians surrender their Dalmatian claims, except Zara and Sebenico. Italy also retains strategic islands guarding the Bay of Fiume. From an American source it is learned that America has definitely declined the mandate of Constantinople, and as Britain and France will not accept it, there is the possibility of Italy receiving the mandate.—(A. and N.Z.) A French official message states: Information regarding the establishment of a republic at Coblenz are greatly exaggerated. Reports from Constantinople show that the committee of union of progress is gaining strength by the help of Russian Bolsheviks, and threatens trouble. A CUNNING GERMAN MOVE. TO WIN AMERICAN SYMPATHY. (Received 5, 9.30.) Berlin, June 4An attempt is being made in Government circles to form a commercial alliance with the United States, with the object of allowing the United States to take control of Germany on behalf of the Allies, but enjoying special trade privileges. The purpose, obviously, is to influence American action in Paris. (Received 5, 10.50.) New York, May 24. (Delayed.) The “Sun’s” Berlin correspondent states that Germany, in submitting counter-proposals to the Allies’ peace terms, will propose the formation of a world shipping pool in which Germany will have an interest. It will be suggested that the Allies and the United States be given 50 per cent, of the f>tock in all German shipping companies, Germany retaining the remaining 50 per cent. It will also be proposed to pool all ocean cables and henceforth cables will be under control of the League of Nations. AUSTRIA DEPRESSED BY THE TERMS OFFERED. Vienna, June 3. The “Nieue Frie Presse/’ “Wiener Journal” and “Abeiter Zeitung” all vehemently assail the peace terms, declaring that they are unacceptable because they mean the annihilation of Austria.