PEACE PROSPECTS BRIGHTER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 166, 8 April 1919, Page 7

PEACE PROSPECTS BRIGHTER

WEEK-END ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE

SECRET CONCLAVES OF THE BIG FOUR

JOURNALISTS BAFFLED By Telc£i','iDli—Preen Association—OoDvrieht (Rec. April 7, 7.20 p.m.) Paris, April 5. There are many signs of an curly termination of the "Big Four's" deliberation. Mr. Lloyd George'has informed the Dominions' representatives that he expects to go to London at the end of the week to present the terms to Parliament. Tho officials at the Quai d'Orsay (the French Foreign Office), have informed tho French correspondents that tho terms will lie ready in a very few days. The atmosphere is clearer, in spite of the new defiance, of the Italians and, the piteous final appeals of the Belgians.

Practically nothing is known about the "Big Four's" secret conclaves, but there is a predominant impression that things aro going better. The American correspondents say that President Wilson has been forced by the dreadful condition of Europe to concentrate all his energies upon.an immediate peace, sacrificing his cherished ideas and leaving the League of Nations a mere shadow of what he had hoped it would be.

The. "Echo de Paris" admits that the "Big Four's" secrecy is foiling all the journalist'';, and adds: "There is reason to believe that the terms will be an.nouneed to the Parliaments before Easier. Tho whole of the French Press is more optimistic and generous .towards AngloAmerica, though gravely anxious concerning_Jtlve_.gej).ei,aL..a'cceptance of the terms."—Aue.-N.Z. Cable As?;.i. SETTLED. (Rec. April 7, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, April 6. The peaco terms have been settled, except those - relating to enemy crimes, ■ and -the • -treaty will be drafted next week. Tho German delegates are expected at Versailles, in a- fortnight — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

• . ATTACKS ON MR. LLOYD GEORGE ATTITUDE OP LABOUR LEADERS. London, April 5. The "Daily Mail," which continues its hostility to Mi , . Lloyd George, romin.ds him that his attitude towards Bolshevism and -the tenderness he displays towards Germany' occasion acute in Paris: The' "Mail" correspondent alleges that..- Mr. Arthur llroiderson and Mr. Ramsay Macdonald have intimated to Mr. Lloyd George that the support of their followers depended upon lii 9 continuing to withhold his tyinction for active ' measures against the Bolshevists.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE GERMANS MAY BE SUMMONED AT END OF THE MONTH. London, April 6. Mr. Lloyd George, in an interview published in the Paris "Matin," states that at the end of April or the beginning of May the Conference will be able to invite (ho Germans to come and sign the Treaty. The reparation question is complicated by disagreement between tlio technical experts as to the method of payment ana the amount to bo collected. There are no differences in ihe Conference, and the plenipotentiaries are settling those beween the experts'.— Aus.-N.Z. <Aible Assn. BIG FOUR ASKS FOR TWO WEEKS' CREDIT MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S APPEAL FOR PATIENCE. (Roc. April 7, 10.20 p.m.) - v ' . ' Paris, April 6. Mr. Lloyd George, interviewed by tho "Matin" to-day, begs the public lo give i.ho Big Four another fortnight's'credit. He said: "Is that tco much to ask for thoso who are attempting the gigantic task of rebuilding the world? Wo are Hearing the end, and will finish before Easter." This statement is generally interpreted as meaning that the leaders are making n final appeal for patience. To-day one delegate very close to Mr. Lloyd George was asked if it meant that tiho crisis was over. "No," ho said. "Japan, Italy, and France may yet withdraw, but that, is unlikely. It is probable that some agreement will be reached." "What .is tho main trouble now?" It is that in order to reach- agreement vital preliminaries are being sacrificed. This peace may be the laughing-stock of a world unbalanced and seemingly proGormaii.. The next fortnight is extremely important."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VEXED QUESTION SAID TO BE SETTLED GERMAN REPARATION. . (Kec. April 3, 1.20 a.m.) . . London, April 7. The "Daily News's" Paris correspondent stales that the Big Four have decided lo demand reparation.!, according to the principle set down in the Allied Note of November 5. This has been the most vexed question, and its settlement will do much (o compose the differences over other --problems. Franco is really ir.ore interested in this than in the Rhineland or the Sjnur basin. Though the wave of optimism may not be justified, there does at 'east seem to lje a prospect of an early production of the draft treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MORE ABOUT THE INDEMNITY \ London, April C. Accordiiij; to the newspaper "Lc Journal," the first, instalment of the indemnity will total 25,000 million francs (about. 10(10 millions sterling), of which 5000 millions will bo payment for the raw material necessary for the resumption of Germany's economic existence. France will receive 10.000 millions of the first instalment, , and Belgium 5000 millions. The reiniu'iidt , ] , of the indemnity will be spread over a period of thirty-live years, tlui annual amount being- 1,0,000' million francs, according to some authorities, and 7000 millions according *to others.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn.

THE BIG FOUR UNDER CRITICISM AMEUICANS PESSIMISTIC. Paris, April 5. The Americans have been sharply pessimistic throughout the week. There- was an. anticipation that the narrowing of the Conference, (iown to four would produce rapid results, it was not realised thai: the plan had thrown a largo miiiibor of delegates into idleness. While the great secrecy has sapped the support of tho Conference and has engendered suspicions that may be unfounded, Hie great democracies aro left, in tho dark, while four men seek to settle the destinies of tho world. This task, which is aggravated by the almost daily accruing I roubles in various parts of Kurope, may well overwhelm them. The Kalians aro credited with preparing for strong action owing lo the supposed.reluctance of the other delegates lo allot Fiiimo to llaly. What is certain is that Signor Orlando withdrew from tho Council of Four when M. Trumbitch presented Hie claim. Signor liarxilai, one of the Italian delegates, declares that the failure of the Council in respect to Italy's rights would lead lo a dire internal situation in Italy, and he adds that Signer Orlamio could not in justice to his peoplo negotiate with the representatives of a people . which fought Italy until the last hour. It would bo bolow tho dignity of the Italian delegation to deal with those who wero-rcspon-

sil>lc for the major portion of the deaths of Jtiilinii soldiers.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR BELGIUM STATEMENT BY BELGIAN MINISTER, Paris, April 0. IF. Vandcrvelde, the Belgian Minister of Justice, lias informed the Press that the position of Belgium is most gloomy. The country is marching to disaster unless assistance is promptly given'. Owing to the lack of raw materials, 750,000 people are unemployed, and 2,500,000 urn relying on the tfUte for the bare, necessaries of life. This provides a rich soil for the spread of Bolshevism. Belgium desires Hie Allies immediately to guarantee JM00.000.000 sterling, pending Germany's reparation of the country. With such credit, tho country could obtain raw materials and machinery, and resume its industry. The lung's recent visit, to Paris was made in order to emphasise tho mailer to the Peace Conference. Although he met with the utmost sympathy, he did not receive a delinite promise of immediate assistance. The Allies must give a solemn promise in the matter of reparation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. j THE FINAMATcOMMISSION'S '! !-■ LABOURS Paris, April G. ■ The Financial Commission has prepared eighteen articles for inclusion in the Peace Treaty, the majority of which were unanimously adopted.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.