TERMS OF THE TREATY

Southland Times, Issue 18078, 3 May 1919, Page 5

TERMS OF THE TREATY

Historic Document Complete AUSTRALIAN CORRESPONDENT’S FORECAST The Recognition of Japan GERMANS RESTORING LOOT TO ALLIES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

THE PEACE TREATY. FORECAST OF ITS TERMS. POSITION OF KIEL CANAL. PARIS. April 29. Mr Keith .Murdoch says the Peace Treaty to be presented to the Germans will provide that all the Government’s property in former German territories shall pass to the new Government exercising authority therein. The decisions of local courts will be final. The new Governmgnts may repatriate resident Germans and formulate conditions under which the Germans may reside, hold property, and trade or work in their former colonies. . The Kiel Canal will be placed on a, similar footing to Panama Canal. Its approaches wil be maintained free and open to vessels of commerce or war of all nations at peace with Germany on terms of entire equality. The Treaty will provide for the appointment by each country of a sub-com-mission whereon will be a German representative to control the return of prisoners, Germany undertaking the cost of repatriation. She will also under take to accept all repatriated prisoners, but the Allied countries may send German internees or prisoners to a neutral country or permit them to remain in Allied territory. Germany to undertake to facilitate enquiries for missing soldiers, to restore property taken from them, and to furnish a list of dead prisoners and their graves. She is to maintain such graves.

The general eSect of the economic clauses in the. Treaty is to give the Allies the most favoured nation treatment for five years. Another provision will be that the Allied and associated Governments shall preserve the right to retain and liquidate all property rights and interests of German nationals or companies controlled by them in their territories. Compensation is to be given according to local laws. Contracts with enemies shall be regarded as dissolved from the date of the war, except in respect to money owing on patents and copyrights. Rights in industrial, literary and artistic property are restored, both in Allied countries and in Germany, but the action taken in Allied countries during the war with respect to patents and copyrights is upheld and will remain in force. » THE TREATY COMPLETED. PARIS, April 30. Received May 3, 12.15 a.ra. The treaty was finalised to-day. The Germans at Versailles will not know its contents until Saturday, perhaps Monday. The important reason for delay is the anxiety to get the Italians conciliated and in attendance. The present intention is to give the Germans a fortnight for consideration and then a week for discussion by the interchange of Notes. During the interval the Council will have ample work in fixing the Austrian, Turkish and Bulgarian terms. It is hoped to get the Austrians in Paris before President Wilson leaves on May 31. The text of the Treaty will be presented to the eighteen minor Powers the day before its presentation to the Germans, but DO amndments will be accepted. THE FIUME DEMANDS. ITALIAN DELEGATES WILL NOT RETURN TO PARIS. ROME, May 1. Received May 2, 11.30 p.m. The newspaper Popolo Romano declares that the Italian delegates will not return to the Paris Peace Conference until the deBiand for Plume is conceded. OPINIONS IN FRANCE. ORLANDO WILL RETURN TO PARIS. LONDON, May 2. Received May 3, 12.45 a.m. The American Ambassador at Rome had S lengthy conference with Signor Orlando and Baron Sonnino. The impression prevailed in Paris that Signor Orlando’s speech indicates a desire to escape from an awkward dilemma without undue loss of prestige. The belief is current that Orlando will return in ample time for the signing of Peace despite the Rome declarations that i’iume must first be guaranteed to Italy. THE RHINE LINE. TERMS REGARDING SAAR VALLEY. PARIS, April 22. Received May 3, 12,15 a.m. A compromise has been reached between the French and American views on the Rhine problem, whereby Britain agrees to send an army to France without delay if German troops cross the Rhine and President Wilson promised to endeavour to persuade the United States Senate to agree to a similar undertaking. Details of the Saar Valley agreement show that F'ranee is assured of full ownership of the coalfield, but a commission under the League of Nations will be entrusted with the government of the valley. There will be no change in citizenship, but after fifteen years the inhabitants shall decide by plebiscite whether they wish the new regime to continue or to belong to France or Germany. In the last case Germany may repurchase the mine at the Va’uation of an international commission. ENEMY VESSELS. TRANSFER TO NEUTRALS NOT RECOGNISED. LONDON, May a. In the House of Commons Mr Harmsworth said the Government does not recognise the transfer of enemy vessels to neutrals.

THE LEAGUE COVENANT. LORD ROBERT CECIL’S VIEWS THE RECOGNITION OF JAPAN. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) PARIS, April 30. Received May 2, 9 p.m. Addressing British correspondents tonight Lord Robert Cecil said that he did not think either the Monroe doctrine clause or the stipulation regarding the right of withdrawal as weakening the covenant. “You could not, anyhow, force a nation, to remain in the League against its will," he said. “The Monroe doctrine has never been applied except, to prevent European nations introducing European politics into America. It is absurd to maintain that the covenant, ever contemplated such a purpose.” Referring to the Japanese amendment Lord Cecil expressed the opinion that there had been no lack of recognition of Japan in the covenant. Indeed Japan had been given a prominent position in the League, namely on the Council, a fact which certainly admitted the national equality of Japan with other nations in the clearest and strongest possible way. THE GERMAN FLEET. DIVISION AMONGST ALLIES REPORTED. NEW YORK, May 1. Received May 2, 11.30 pm. The New York World's Paris correspondent says that the German fleet will be divided among the Allies. It has been tentatively agreed that Britain shall receive six Dreadnoughts, and six battle cruisers, France nine warships, Japan three and Italy five. THE SHRINKING MARK. BELGIUM’S COMPLAINT. (United Service.) PARIS, April 30. Recgived May 2, 5.5 p.m.

The Belgians presented a Note pointing out that the 7,000,000,000 marks which Germany compelled them to accept during the war at 125 centimes per mark, are now worth only one-third of that sum. RECOVERING THE SWAG. GERMAN LOOT BEING RETURNED. LONDON, April 30. Received May 2, 8.5 p.m. The Daily Chronicle correspondent at Namur states that there are five hundred barges in the Meuse river loaded with loot the Germans took from France and Belgium. Millions of tons of this loot have already been received. The barges and trucks arc being unloaded by German prisoners. Goods which cannot be identified by the owners will be sold. Horses and other stolen stock have already fetched £5,000,000. THE BAVARIAN MUDDLE. AMSTERDAM, April 22. Received May 3, 1.15 a.m. The Red Garrison at Munich deserted. The Soviet Government issued a proclamtion against “swelled head agitators” urging the workers and soldiers to support the Socialist Government. The Hodman Government has resumed control. HUNGARIAN TROUBLES. BUDAPEST GOVERNMENT FALLS. LONDON, May 1. Received May 2, 11.30 p.m. Vienna reports state that the Budapest Government has fallen. Several Ministers have lied and some have arrived in Vienna but refuse information regarding Budapest happenings. POSITION IN RUSSIA. THE BOLSHEVIK CLAIMS. LONDON, May 1. The British relief forces leave for north Russia in a few days. The Russian Bolshevik communique states: “in the Archangel region we advanced from the left bank of the Dvina to the river Shuvega. Floods hinder further progress. BRITISH FRONT QUIET. LONDON, May 1. Received May 2, 9.20 p.m. General Ironside reports from Archangel on April 30: There has been no activity on the British front since April 28. Three enemy boats appeared on the Dvina river opposite the British front. Deserters continue to arrive. “FIRM AS A ROCK." HELSINGFORS, May 1. Received May 3, 12.10 a.m. The Allied position at Archangel is strong, and the anxiety is unwarranted. The Munnan position is firm as a rock. KOLTCHAK’S SUCCESS, LONDON, April 22. Received May 3, 1.15 a.m. A Russian Bolshevik communique relative to the fighting against the Siberians shows that Admiral Koltchak in five weeks advanced 100 miles and is now within 100 miles of the Volga. He has captured the important town of Sapural.

COLLAPSE OF BOLSHEVISM. RUMOURED EVACUATION OF PETROGRAD. LONDON, May 1. The Finns have advanced in the Lake Ladoga region, two columns converging on Petrozavodsk. A third, advancing from Olonetz, occupied Ladevnorpolia, cutting the Petrograd railway. They received support from the inhabitants, who have risen en masse against the Soviet Government. The situation on Maynard’s and Ironside’s fronts is thus relieved. PARIS, May 1. It is reported that the Bolsheviks are evacuating Petrograd in consequence of events at Olonetz. DECISION CAN BE FORCED THIS SUMMER. LONDON, May 2. Received May 3, 12.45 a.m. The British Governor of Archangel believes that with reinforcements now en route, a decision can be forced this summer. The Russians will soon clear the Bolsheviks out if the Allies insist on the capture of Moscow and Petrograd. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS PROPOSED. LONDON, May 1. An official announcement states that the Bolshevik Government suggested exchanging imprisoned members of the British mission in the Caucasus for certain Russians. Negotiations are proceeding for the release of all British prisoners in Bolshevik hands. POLAND AND GERMANY. BERLIN, May 1. Herr Erzbergcr sent a Note to Marshal Foch, complaining that the Poles contemplate an attack on German Posen and are massing troops on the frontier. Erzberger hints that Germany may be compelled to take counter measures and also refuse further facilities for the transport of Polish troops from the west. It is reported that the German Government is mobilising troops in northern Silesia.