FRANCO-GERMAN FRONTIERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 3 April 1919, Page 7

FRANCO-GERMAN FRONTIERS

COMMITTEE TO CONSTITUTE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

QUARTERS FOR GERMAN

DELEGATES.

SOCIALIST REQUESTS

W CABLE—PKJSSS ASSOCIATION-COPYBIG Hi

t (Received April 3, 10.45 a.m.) . _... . PARIS, April 1. The discussion on the Franco-German frontier is likely^to be prolonged. The French tenaciously demand something more than a compromise £ter the Saar Valley. Not merely on historical grounds do they persist in their claim, but on the ground that the whole economical life of Alsace-Lorraine is dependent on the Saar coalfields. French military experts strongly favor selfgovernment of the Rhineland under the League of Nations control, with the establishment of small Allied garrisons along the Rhine.

A -committee is being formed to undertake the, work of constituting the permanent machinexy of the League of Nations.

It is reported that General Smuts is to be entrusted with a special civilian mission to Budapest. Feeling in Paris is much more optimistic that the Germans will sign. It is intended r when the German . peace , delegates come to France that they shall be quartered in the Grand Trianon Hotel at Versailles, where the Supreme Allied War Council is located. This has been chosen because the building is situated well away from the town, and is in a somewhat secluded position. ■ ' The executive of the Berne Socialist Congress has asked Lord Robert Cecil to hasten the inclusion of Germany and Russia in the League of Nations. It also hoped that no mandatories would >be given until the League was ; formed. On this point Lord Cecil said that mandatories must be issued as early as possible, as certain territories needed to be brought under settled governments forthwith.—Aus. - N.Z. ■'Cable Assn.