PEACE TREATY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10273, 7 May 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY

SOME OF THE ITEMS IN TERMS

RETURN OF ALSACE-LORRAINE

TO FRANCE,

DISPOSAL OF CABLES.

By TeUssraDh—Press Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. -Cable Association. PARIS, May 3.

Mr Keith Murdoch writes : .Germany will renounce her rights to fifteen of the main German cables, but the Paris Council has not decided how to dispose of them. President Wilson opposes the British scheme of redistribution. Be urges that it is undesirable thp.t Bubmarine cables, which are of international importance, should become -a British monopoly, and suggests that the Allied and Associated Powers should act as trustee for these cables pending the establishment of an International, Convention. The Council has authorised President Wilson to. draw up a formula covering his suggestion, and providing that subsequently the Allied and Associated Powers should determine under what nation or international mandate tne cables should be used. ■ All the Allies have accepted.the British in Egypt. A clause on this subject will require Germany to recognise the protectorate, and not to interest herself in any negotiations relating to Egypt. ■ ' Germany is to renounce all ner rights in Morocco to France, and is to abandon all the property of the German Government, compensating German residents' for their lost possessions. The Council has decided that it is ■unable to give Poland full ownership of the Danzig docks, but the Jreaty will guarantee Poland power to develop the port. Grodno and Brest. Litovsk are to he excluded from Poland. The conditions governing the return of Alsace-Jiorraine will be eminently favourable to France. The province will be handed over lock, stock, and barrel, without debt, and the frontiers will be those of 1871. French nationality is to bo assumed by the inhabitants. Germany is to repay the forced levies made by Alsace-Lorraine for war expenditure,' and is to become responsible for civil and military pensions. The French Government secures the, right to liquidate the property of German.residents in these provinces, Germany indemnifying the dispossessed persons. An interesting clause will provide that land-locked. ,* possess ships and give r . maritime, -certificate* which all ports must recognise.: Germany will undertake to , disgorge the gold acquired by various transactions durinsr the war, including Turkish and Austro-Hungarian payments in exchange for paper loans, and booty removed from Russia and Roumania. All Germany's claims for repayment from her late allies are transferred to the Allies. ,

ALMOST READY FOR PRESENTATION. MATTERS OF IMPORT TO NEW ZEALAND. Australian and N.Z. Onbls Association. LONDON, May 5. Official.—Tho Peace Treaty is almost ready for presentation. The German dolegates are nt Versailles, but unexpected delays hare' arisen' owing to the Italian difficulty. The New Zealand representatives are exceedingly anxious to return to the Dominion at the earliest possible date, but titey cannot leave until the treaty is signedTho amount of the indemnity has been fixed and apportioned, the mandates in regard to the former German colonics have been finally determined, and other matters of great importance to Now Zealand have been disposed of. ( It oan bo stated that any opinions as to tho Germans signing or refusing to sign tho treaty are mere- speculation; but it is certain that the final settlement will be at least a little more . protracted. than was originally anticipated. DATE OF PRESENTATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, May 5. The Peace Treaty will be handed to the Germans on Wednesday at 2.15 p.m. (Received May 7, 1 a.m. PARIS, May S. It is now announced that the Germans will receive the Peace terms at 8 o'clock in the afternoon of May 7th (.Wednesday). TREATY REVIEWED BY FRENCH CABINET. VIEWS OF FRENCH PRESS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, May 4. The French Cabinet has reviewe«i the essential clauses of the, treaty. M. Clemenceau subsequently informed & French intervivewer that he believed it to be a good peace. The "Figaro" says that perhaps it will be more than a good peace, for it will also comprise an alliance with*two »if the most powerful nations in the world.

The "Matin," however, is pessimistic, ' and says that peace is not hero yet, although the Germans are at Versailles. The '"Big Three" continue to deliberate without reaching conclusions, and the Indebtedness of Franco la growing .formidably. The crop prospects are exceptionally bad, and cattle are la poor -condition. 'The '"Matin's" views, however, are somewhat discounted by its strong opposition to M. Clemenceau. In the course of the interview given by M. Clemenceau, *»© said, "I hav« done my 'best. I think it is a good peace."

(Received May 7, 1 a.m.) BERLIN, May 5. The newspapers state that the llernvan delegates, at a meeting on Sunday resolvod to send an ultimatum to the Entente that they will quit Paris if there is further delay "in submitting the Peace terms. The ultimatum vas handed to Colonel Henry, demanding a reply before 8 o'clock on Monday evening. BELGIUM WILL SIGN" TREATY. Australian and N.Z. Cn-ble Aiipocintibn. LONDON, May 5. Belgium has agreed to ! sign the Peace Treaty.

ITALIAN DELEGATES RETURN I« PARIS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, May 5. Signor Orlando and Baron Sonnino are to return immediately to Paris! ITALY AND FIUME. A REPORTErTcOMPROMISE. ■Australian and N.Z. Cab'.* Association. PARIS, May 5. tt is reported that tho Allies have offered Fiume to Italy after it has had three years' existence as a free port. In the meantime, the Jugo-Slavs will build a port for themselves. IRISH-AMERICAN DELEG AT £ON. Australian.-, and N.'/. Cable Association (Received May 1. 1 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. It is believed that a hitch has occurred to prevent the Irish-Americans meeting Mr Lloyd George.