SMOOTHING DOWN THE DIFFICULTIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 191, 8 May 1919, Page 7

SMOOTHING DOWN THE DIFFICULTIES

TREATY PKESENTED TO MINOR POWERS BELGIUM SECURES RELIEF IF THE GERMANS REFUSE TO SIGN? By Telegraph-Press Association-Conyrlclit Paris, May 5. The difficulties with regard to the Peace Treaty are being gradually smoothed away. The Crown Council of Belgium, under the presidency of the King, decided to sign the treaty, but to draw the attention of tho Allies to the grave economic and financial distress in Belgium, and the necessity for the most complete support.

The Plenary Council has agreed that Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, and Jugoslavia shall take over . a proportion of Germany's pre-war debt in return for the Government property and railways situated in their territory. Germany is to undertake to renounce her economic privileges in Austro-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Russia. Neutrals are to be compelled to hand over interned German tonnage, hut will be compensated for their own submarine losses out of the reparation fund or in tonnage.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FORMAL PRESENTATION PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND. Paris, May 5. Yielding to strong pressure against the exclusion of the Press representatives •at the handing over of the terms to tho Germans, the Council of Three has decided to provide seats for twenty-five Allied Journalists, iivo Germans, ten from the small States, and five from tho Dominions. Mr. Lloyd George strenuously insisted upon the inclusion of representatives of the Dominions, who had" done so much in the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FOCH OBJECTS TO THE TERMS. Paris, May 6. Marshal Foch opposes tho signing of peace on the ground that the military protection afforded to France is inade-quate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TREATY PRESENTED TO THE MINOR, POWERS. Paris, May G. The Peace Treaty has been presented to the delegates of'the minor Powers at a secret plenary session.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

IF THEY REFUSE TO SIGN COMPLETE ECONOMIC BOYCOTT TO BE ENFORCED. Paris, May 6. ■ Tho complete economic isolation of Germany has been decided upon in tho event of her delegates' refusal to sign the Peace terms—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A GUARANTEE CLAUSE (Rec. May 7, 11.30 p.m.) New York, May 4. The Now York "Times" Paris correspondent interviewed a member of the French Foreign Office, and learned that the Peace Treaty with Germany will contain a clause whereby Germany will agree with the settlement tho Allies may make with Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, end Hungary. Tho minor treaties with other enemy countries will be made af-terwards.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sm