SAN REMO CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1920, Page 2

SAN REMO CONFERENCE

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ) THE GERMAN NOTE. SAN REMO, April 22. A German Note ha® been received by the Allies asking permission to increase the German Army to 200,000. It argues the German Government forces are insufficient to suppress trouble provoked by extremists and to re-es-tablish order.

The Note dwells on there being danger of a Bolshevik revolution, and it contends that an insufficient military force in Germany would prejudice the Allies because the Government would be unable to confirm to the economic stipulations of the Treaty. It also urges postponment of the reduction of the German Army to 20,000 until the situation in Germany is consolidated.

The Note declares the cohesion of the German Army is greatly impaired by the uncertainty of the future, and urges a settlement of this question without delay; saying that otherwise the consequences to Germany and Europe would be incalculable. The Note proposes that an army of 200,000 be allowed to consist of 12 infantry and 3 cavalry divisions; 3 infantry brigades with 3 batteries of heavy artillery for each infantry division; and also a total of eight groups of aviators

BRITISH ADVOCACY. LONDON, Awil 22

Mr Perris, writing from San Remo states:—The German Note will be a blessing to all concerned, ’f it obliges the Supreme Council to study the German problem in close detail. The British Government is largely guided' by reports of the military scattered up and down Germany. They consider the Reichswelir advance was just'ftable as a police measure and only a technical infringement of the Treaty. They are , not sure if French opinion is correct in ascribing it as a deliberate evasion. These military reports insist there ’s semi-starvation among German people, and quote an example, of Cologne, - where instead of 3,000 calories, which food experts l consider necessary, they say people only receive 1300. The British policy, which Italy, Belgium, the United States, and Japan are supporting, is to give the liarrassed German Government a chance.

TURKISH SETTLEMENT. SAN REMO, April 22. The Turkish Treaty has been praetically settled. Kurdistan remains under Turkish sovereignty for the present. Its final settlement will be considered within two years by the League of Nations. The armed force necessary to enforce the Turkish Treaty is settled. T 1 —■ ire already 200,000 troops in the areas involved, and the Council is satisfied this is adequate. It is understood that the Allied Coc’*-c-il has decided to establish two commissions to control the Straits, one m ,,: tarv and the other administrative. Tie' latter will be charged with making regulations for navigation rrl >„ military commission will control the Allied force guarding the straits to ensure free passage in peace and war. A clause in the Treaty will declare the passage of the Straits will be free to the military forces to be placed on Gallipoli and on the opposite side of the Dardanelles. The Supreme Council heard the naval and military experts regarding the administration of the Straits, and approved the insertion of a clause in that connection in the Turkish Treaty.

GERMANY’S OBLIGATIONS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SAN REMO. April 22. • M. Millerand interviewed as regards the enforcement of the Treaty said there is no real Anglo-French divergence. He had no doubt that an agreement won 1 ' 1 be roadbed on other points. France insisted on the disarmament of Germany. The report of the Air Commission gave evidence that Germany was determined to attempt to evade the Tre > J " M .Millerand regarded Germany’s request to increase her army, as anotV" attempt to evade her obligations.

A SENSATION CAUSED, j (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARTS April. 22. I General Master mail caused a sensrI tion at the Ambassadors Conference bv describing the German official devices to baffle bis mission, by concealing war materials. MANDATE OVER ARMENIA. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) SAN REMO, April 23. It. is understood that the Premiers decided to offer the Armenian mandate to Norway. The general opinion p-.evails, however, that Norway will refuse on ing to the necessity of supplying a police force. It is stated Lord Curzon then intimated that Canada would accept the mandate over Armenia.

CONFERENCE DECISION. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) SAN REMO, Apirl 23. It is reported ‘ that Greece secures Western and Eastern Thrace to Ohatalja line, with guarantees for the Turkish population and holy places, notably Adrianople. Bulgaria gets an outlet on Maritza. gignor Nitti strongly opposed the decision. M. Millerand supported Britain’s pro-6reek attitude. The “Daily News” Sail Remo correspondent mentions a. report that -Benin’s envoy appeared at San Remo and ininterviewed the leading Allied statesmen.

STRAITS SETTLEMENT. I (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) SAN REMO, April 23. It is semi-officiallv stated that by the Turkish settlement, the Straits will be I opened and acts of war therein will require the permission of the League of Nations. 'Hie Straits will come under the sovreignty partly of Turkey and partly of Greece, but will be administered by a High Commission, representing England, France, Italy, Japan, America and the Powers bordering on the Sea of Marmora and Black Sea. Neutral warships and merchantmen may pass in war time.