THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE TEXT OF THE TREATY, SEQ p HANDED TO THE GERMANS *O-pAY, OR MONDAY. London, May 1. Hi is expected that the Peace Treaty Will be handed to the newspapers on Saturday.—Aus.'-N.Z. Cable Assn. , ' Received M»y 3, 18.15 a.m. Paris, April 30. i The treaty was finally arranged to4»y. The Germans at Versailles will tot know the contents until Saturday, perhaps on Monday. An important reason f<w d»lay is the anxiety to get the 'ltalians conciliated and to be in attendance. The present intention is to give the Germans a fortnight for consideration, then a.week for discussion by an interchange of notes. - During the interval the council will have ample work in fixing the Austrian, Turkish, and Bulgarian terms. It if hoped to get the Austriaqs in Paris before President Wilson leaves on the 31st. The text of the treaty will be presented to the eighteen minor Powers the day before the presentation to the Germans, but bo amendments are acceptable United Service. Paris, April 30. The British delegates played a more prominent part in the work of the conference than appears on the surface. The tftbor convention in the treaty is solely a "British achievement. The British can claim a great share in framing the League Covenant. To this Sir Eric Drummond's appointment to Secretary is believed to be dueThe air terms are almost entirely the work of British, and, although the French naturally exercised preponderating' influence in fixing the military teroiß, yet it was Mr Lloyd George's insistence that secured the abolition of wnscriptiQn in Germany. The British also insisted on the Kaiser's punishment. Nothing can yet be said about reparation, but when the treaty is published it wBl certainly be found that particular toees, such as those by the submarine campaign, will receive full compensation. Under the treaty Germany loses 70 per cent of heT iron ore, one-third of her coal, -20 per cent of her potash, and between seven and eight millions of her population.—Aue-N.Z. Gable Assn Received May 2, 2.26 p.m. Paris, April 29. Mr. Murdoch says the peace treaty to M» presented to the Germans will provide that all The Government's property ( in the former German territories shall pass to the new governments exercising authority therein. The decisions of the local courts will be final. The new 'governments may repatriate resident Germans and formulate conditions under whiob Germans may reside and hold property, trade, or work in the former colonies.

The Kiel canal will be placed on a similar footing to the Panama canal. Its approiches will be maintained free and mm. to vessels of commerce or war of kit nation; at peace with Germany on terms of entire equality.

The treaty will provide fof the appointment by each country of a subeommiseion, whereon Germany will be represented, to control the return of prisoners, Germany undertaking the cost ef tbe repatriation. She also will undertake to accept all the repatriated prisoner*, tat the Allied countries may send German internees or prisoners to a Wutral country, or permit them to remain in Allied, territory. Germany is to undertake to facilitate enquiries for mining soldiers, restore the propertv taken from them, furnish a list' •f dead prisoners, the location of their

(paves, and maintain >iwh graves. The general effect of the economic jrfpuws on the treaty will be to give the 'Allies most favored nation treatment for tve yean. Another provision will be that the (Died and associated governments shall (preserve the rielit to retain and liquidate in property rights and interests of German nationals or companies controlled Sthem in their territories. Compensan will be piven according to local tows. Contracts with enemies shall be pegnrded.as di°«olved from the date of **e war, except as to money owing on stents or copyrights. Rights in industrial, literary, and artistic property an restored, both in Allied countries and in Germany, but action taken in Allied countries during the war with respect to patent" and copyrights is up■•M and will remain in force.—United Service. : ' ' THE SAAR VALLEY. A COMPROMISE REACHED. Received May 3, 2.10 a.m. London, May 2. A compromise has been reached between French and American views on the Rhine problem, whereby Britain i agrees to send an army to France without delay if German troops cross the Rhine, and President Wilson has promised to endeavor to persuade the Senate to agree to a similar undertaking. Details of the Saar Valley agreement show that France is assured of full ownership of the coal field, 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 a plebiscite Whether they wish the new regime to continue, or to belong to France or Germany. In the last case Germany may repurchase the mines at the valuation •f the international commission.—Aus. Bnd N.Z. Cable Assoc. New York, May 1. The Paris correspondent of the Ne.w Times says there is a general feel- <. tap that the Italian. Parliament will hermit Signer Orlando to return to Paris So renew the negotiations regarding iTwme. It is believed that, although bo Italian delegate participated in the \ ratification of the league Covenant by the plenary session, Italy will probably f nI«o ratify 'the league Covenant.—Aus.W.Z. Cable Assn.