PEACE CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 8 April 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE

BETTER PROGRESS FRENCH PRESS MORE OPTIMISTIC. (Anst. & N.Z. Cable Assn. & Reuter) PARIS. April 5. There are many signs of the early termination of the Big Four’s deliberations. ; Mr Lloyd George informed the Dominions’ representatives that-he expects to go to London at the end of the week to present the terras to Parliament. Officials at the Qua! d’Orasy informed a French correspondent that tho terms would bo ready in a very few days. The atmosphere is clearer, despite the new defiance of the Italians and the piteous final appeals of ' the Belgians. Practically nothing is known about the Big Four’s secret conclaves, bpt there is a predominant impression that things are going better. American correspondents say that President Wilson, forced by the dreadful condition of Europe to concentrate all his energies upon an immediate peace, is sacrificing his cherished ideals and leaving the -League. ,of Nations a-mere shadow of what he had hoped it would be. _ The Echo de’Paris admits that the Big Four’s secrecy is foiling all tho journalists, and adds that there is reason to believe that tho terms will bo announced to the Parliaments before Easter.

The whole of the French press is more optimistic and generous towards Britain and America, though it is gravely anxious concerning the general acceptance of the terms.