PEACE CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18066, 5 April 1919, Page 9

PEACE CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OE INDEMNITY DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS* By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, April 3. In the House of Commons Mr Lowther raised the question of German indemnities. He expressed the hope that there would be no truckling to America and that the delegates would not lie bound by President Wilson s / higher philanthropy. , , Air Bonar Law denied that thoro had been any election pledges that Germany would pay the whole cost of the war. Investigations _ were proceeding with a view to obtaining the largest amount possible. In justice to tho Emipdre the Dominions would not be overlooked in the disposal of the money. TO ENSURE PAYMENT PARIS, April 3. Pending the German payment of indemnities it is suggested that Belgian and French garrisons should be maintained for tho duration of that period. As there is small likelihood of fixing tho amount of the indemnities Germany has to pay an interesting theory, is advanced that the preliminary Peace Treaty should simply mention the list of damages tho Germans must make good, leaving an inter-Allied Commission to arrange what Germany shall pay annually. Until full reparation is obtained the Allies might assumo control of sufficient sources of the German revenue to carry out the scheme. The suggestion is made that the bill against Germany should include the amount required to pay tho military pensions. DETAILS OF THE PAYMENTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, April 3. _lt is understood that the Reparation Indemnities Commission has not yot decided Germany’s total indemnities, but lias fixed tho first two years’ payments. The rest will be arranged by a special commission, which will inquire how the payments can be made without injuring Allied trade. The left bank of the Rhine will bo occupied until the whole indemnities are paid. The “Echo do Paris’’ says that tho “ Bip- Foijr” have decided that Germany shall pay immediately £240,000,000 in cash and various securities. Deliveries of raw material and goods are expected to increase the amount to £1,200,000,000. AN AMERICAN VERSION. (Received April 5, 12.20 a.m.). NEW YORK, April 4. The New York “ World’s ” Paris correspondent states that tho Peace Congress lias tentatively agreed that tho reparation Germany will ho askod to pay shall bo five billion dollars, payable immediately. THE BLOCKADE. APPEAL FOR WITHDRAWAL. LONDON, April 3. The slow progress being made at the Peace Conference has led to the starting of a movement in England appealing for the withdrawal of the blockade from Germany in order to facilitate greater food imports. Tho movement is based on special reports as to tho famine conditions in Gormany and tho Seople’s despair, as a result of which olsllevism is rapidly growing. The movement includes bishops and clergy, and many _ public men not associated with politics, besides prominent opponents of the Lloyd Georgo Government. THE DANZIG QUESTION. TO BE A FREE CITY, LONDON, April 3. The “ Daily Express’s ” Paris correspondent states that the “Big Four ’’ ’have decided that Danzig shall bo a free city. A plebiscite will be taken regarding the Vistula Valley. Tho peoplo will decide the flag under which they will live. GERMAN SHIPPING. A BELGIAN GRIEVANCE. . (Received' April 4. 7.30 p.in.) PARIS, April 2. There 1b some unrest in Belgium, where the feeling prevails that the country is not receiving what sk© is entitled to. The Belgian representative declares that Belgium lias grievances over the partition of Genu an shipping. She needed vessels to bring raw materials in order to provide for industries. TERRITORIAL CLAIMS. RHINE LEFT BANK TO BE NEUTRALISED. PARIS, April 3. Tho Council of Four lias agreed that the left bank of the Rhine shall bo neutralised. BELGIAN INTERESTS. PARIS, April 3. King Albert met Colonel House and President Wilson and discussed Belgian interests. A suggestion was made to President Wilson that Brussels should be the seat of tho League of Nations.