THE PEACE CONGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14052, 3 May 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONGRESS

TREATY PENALLY SETTLED. PRESENTATION TO-DAY OR MONDAY. THREE WEEKS BEFORE SIGNING. PREPARING FOR "OTHER TREATIES. (United Service.) Received May 3, 12.15 a.m. PARIS, May 1. The treaty was finalized yesterday. Tlie Germans at Versailles will not know the contents until Saturday, or perhaps Monday. An important reason for the 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 j have ample work fixing the Austrian, Turkish and Bulgarian terms. It is j hoped to get the Austrians in Paris before Mr "Wilson leaves on the 31st. The text of the Treaty will be presented to 18 minor Powers tlie day before its presentation to the Germans, but no amendments will be acceptable. FRANCO-AMERICAN COMPROMISE. REGARDING THE RHINE PROBLEM. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Assn.) Received May 3, 1.35 a.m. LONDON, April 22. •A compromise has been reached between the French and American views on the Rhine problem, whereby Britain agrees to send an army tq, France without delay if German troops cross the Rhine, and Mr Wilson has promised to endeavour to persuade Congress to agree to a similar undertaking. Details of the Saar Valley agreement show that France 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 15 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 of an International Commission. CONFIDENTIAL GERMAN CONFERENCE. BEFORE DELEGATES' DEPARTURE. VITAL CONCESSIONS LOOKED FOR. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.] Received May 3, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, May 2. The baily Chronicle's Geneva correspondent learns on reliable authority that a confidential conference was Held in Berlin on Saturday between the Government and the most influential leaders of the Assembly, when they discussed the situation prior to the peace delegation's departure. Herr Rantzau, the Foreign Minister, said he was confident they would secure vital concessions in connection with the Siiar area, and refuse to sign terms involving its veiled annexation. He states that the armistice negotiations with the Russians were progressing favourably, and a truce was desirable freeing the Germans to deal with the Poles. Herr Rantzau opposed an alliance with Lenin, which would compromise Germany's future, and preferred to establish good relations with the anti-Bolsheviks by offering more effective support than the Entente. THE SUBJECTS DEALT WITH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 3, 9.10 a.m. Paris, May 2. The Echo de Paris states that the preliminary treaty is a compromise. The preamble showing why the Allies and Associated Powers entered the war mentions the necessity for the- League of Nations. The second chapter relates to tlie German frontiers and the third to other frontier changes. The fourth deals with military, naval and aerial questions, and the fifth to, the German colonies. The other chapters deal with repatriation, economic and financial matters and labour organisation. The document finally stipulates guarantees for carrying out the treaty. '"WARE, BOMBS!" AMERICAN DELEGATES WARNED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 3, 11.25 a.m. NEW YORK, May 2. The New York World's Washington correspondent says that secret service officials have cabled to the American peace delegates in Paris warning them that bombs might have been mailed to them. ■.•:■■ DANTZIG-VISTULA CORRIDOR. UNDER POLISH CONTROL. PROBABLE GERMAN OBJECTION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 3, 11.25 a.m. LONDON, May 1. The Daily Telegraph's Berlin correspondent learns on excellent authority that the Dantzig-Vistula corridor will be under Polish administration. The j Government's overthrow seems inevitable if Germany accepts the'proposal. STABILISING LABOUR. IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT. MR WILSON'S VIEWS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 3, 11.25 a.m. WASHINGTON, May 2. Mr Wilson iias cabled to Mr Tumulty that the Labour programme is the most important accomplishment of the new days, in which the interests of Labour will be systematically safeguarded and promoted. No single thing done at the Paris Conference will accomplish so much towards stabilising labour conditions throughout the world. TO PROTECT FRANCE. FRANCO-AMERICAN AGREEMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 3, 11.25 a.m. NEW YORK, May 2. The New York Sun's Paris correspondent states that the Foreign Office declares that M. Clcmenceau and the United Stales will arrange an agreement between the United States and France whereby the United States will furnish troops to protect France in the event of a German attack.