PEACE TREATY PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17109, 14 March 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY PROSPECTS.

SPABTACIST DIFFICULTY.

DANGERS OF BOLSHEVISM.

DELEGATES FACE PROBLEM. (Received 7.30 p.m.) United Service. LONDON, Mat. 12. The most immediate complication in the peace situation is caused by official reports from the Spartaoists circulated amongst the delegates. The intelligence is of a startling character. The delegates are agreed that Germany is rushing towards Bolshevism and are extremely anxious to prevent this even if only because it would mean lengthy occupation of a large part of Germany, which would delight the German capitalists, but would not suit the Allies. Unfortunately the Allies have to deal with the Scheidemann group as the only alternative to Bolshevism. CO-ORDINATING THE TERMS. END NOW NOT FAR AWAY. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Mar. 12. Very important developments are expected before the end of the week. The draft of the peace proposals will be ready to-morrow, and will probably be adopted in their final form a few days after Mr. Wilson's return on Friday. The proposals cover military and naval aviation, the reparation terms, and some territorial terms, though the eastern settlement, including the Dardanelles, will be concluded after the preliminary peace is signed. It is expected that the Germans will be invited to Paris about next Thursday week. It is understood that the preliminary peace treaty with Germany will probably include provision for the suwender of all German officials responsible for war crimes against the Allies.

One sign of coming events consists in the release of 400 Schleswig! prisoners of war, who left England 1 for home yesterday. The Allies have notified Germany that if she surrenders her merchantmen and complies with other condi-, tions she will be fed until August. During the debate dealing with the manner in which Germany would be compelled to pay for the food supplied to her, Mr. Lloyd George electrified the delegates by reading a telegram from General Plumer, saying that the British army of occupation would revolt if compelled to continue to watch women starving and children dying in the streets from lack of food.

One correspondent asserts that Germany will be compelled to pay a total of £8,000,000,000 damages to the Allies and the United States. The amount is based on the damage done by Germany, not on the cost of the war to the Allies.