THE PEACE TREATY

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14253, 2 January 1920, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY

SIGNING OF THE PROTOCOL. EXPECTED IN A FEW DAYS. NO RESERVATIONS. < Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) PARIS, Dec. 30. M. Paul Dutasta, Secretary-General of the Peace Conference, had a satisfactory interview with Herr von Lersner, head of the German delegation, whose mission is practically complet- . ed. It is probable that Germany's ' signature to the protocol of the VerI sailles Treaty will be obtained in a few j days. i A message from Copenhagen stales I that the' German Cabinet -discussed M. I Clemenceau's Note.- It is understood that the Cabinet decided to sign the ! protocol without reservations, hoping j hy subsequent negotiations to obtain modifications respecting the Allies' demands for shipping materials. AMERICAN RESERVATIONS. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MANDATES. JAPANESE OBJECTIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Jan. i, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 31. The New York Times' Washington correspondent says that it can absolutely be stated that the United States j negotiations with other signatories Of : the Treaty concerning the acceptability "of the reservations whieh may be adopted by the Senate. The correspon- | dent has also learned that the American I Peace Commission has definitely disbanded. TOKIO, December 31. It :s intimated that Japan's recent protest against the Pacific Islands mandates did not object to the areas cov- | ered, but expressed' the fear that Aus- | tralia would exercise the closed door against the Japanese in the islands ; south of the equator which Japan j pointed out would be contrary to the |- spirit of the league. i __ SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION. A MATTER OF DAYS. PEACE VIRTUALLY ESTABLISHED. (Reuter.) (Received Dec. 1, 11.20 p.m.) PARIS, Dec. 30. The Supreme Council is informed of the rapprochement of views arising out of the Allied and German conversations, and of an approved basis of understanding.. The. Allies have consented to register the verbal assurance that the Allies desire to take into account Germany's economic difficulties and reduce the demands if shown they had erred regarding the valuation of the German harbour material, and it is expected that the Supreme Council will tomorrow fix the date for the signatuce of the protocol and the exchange of ratifications at the Quai d'Orsay, a ceremony in which Mr Lloyd George will participate. It is semi-offlcially declared that the operation of the treaty is now merely a matter of days, and peace will virtually be established from to-day.