THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE ATMOSPHERE CLEARER. AN IMMEDIATE PEACE NECESSARY. Received April 7, 7.50' p.m. Paris, April 15 There are many signs of an early termination of the "Big Four's" deliberation!, Mr Lloyd George informed the Dominions' representatives that he expects to go to London at the end of the week to present the terms to Parliament Officials at the Quai d'Orsai informed French correspondents that the terms Would be ready in a very few days. Tit atmosphere is clearer, despite the new defiance of the Italians and the piteous final appeals of the Belgians. Prtctically nothing is known about the "Big Four's" secret conclaves, but then is * predominant impression that things are going better American correspondents say that Pretident Wilson is forced by the dreadful conditions of Europe to concentrate all Ms energies upon immediate peace, sacrificing his cherished ideas, and leaving the League of Nations a mere shadow of what he had hoped it would he. LUcho de Paris admits that the "Big Foul's" secrecy is foiling all the journalists, and addß: "There is reason to helieTt that the terms will be announced to the' parliaments before Easter." Tie whole of the French press is more optimistic and generous towards AngloAmerica, though gravely anxious towards the general acceptance of the terms.— Au«. NX Cable Assoc.

AS APPEAL FOR PATIENCE.

SOME AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED.

Received April 7, 10.30 p.m. Paris, April 8,

Mr. Lloyd George, interviewed by Le Matin to-day, begs the public to give the "Big Four" another fortnight's credit. He nid: "Is that too much to ask for thou who are attempting the gigantic task of rebuilding the world? We are Hearing the end and will finish .before "Easter." The statement is generally interpreted as meaning that the leaders •re staking a final appeal for patience. Tfrday one of the delegates, who is very close to Mi". Lloyd George, was asked if it meant that the crisis was over. "No," he said; "Japan, Italy, and France may yet withdraw, but that is unlikely. It is probable that some agreement will be reached. The main trouble now is that, in order to reach an agreement, the vital preliminaries are feeing sacrificed, and the peace may be the laughing stock of the world, being unbalanced ahd seemingly proGtoa&n. The next fortnight will be extremely important."—United Service.

THE AMOUNT OF INDEMNITY. PEACE TREATY TO BE SIGNED SOON. London, April 6. Mr Lloyd George, interviewed by the Matin, stated that at the end of April or beginning of May the Conference would be able to invite the Germans to eom« to sign the peace treaty. Tip i reparation question was complicated by the disagreement between the technical experts regarding the method ; of payment and the amdunt that could ■ be collected There weTe no differences in the conference, and the plenipotent•riea were settling those between the < «xp«ts. According to the newspaper Le Journal the first instalment of the indemnity will be 25 milliards of francs (1000 million sterling), of which five milliards would be payment for the raw material necessary for the resumption of Germanv*!" economic existence France will receive ten milliards, of the first install ment, Belsrrum five, and the remainder of the indemnity will be spread over 35 v*ars, amounting annually to 15 milliards (600 million nterfing) according to some, 7 milliards according to others.

THE TERMS SETTLER ! TO BE DRAFTED SOON. Received April 7, 3.5 pm. Paris, April 6. fin terms are settled, except in regard to enemy crimes. The treaty will be i*Tnfted next week. German delegates are expected at Versailles in a fortnight. ■ Paris, April 6President Wilson hag been absent K from the meetings of the Big Four for the U*t few days owing to a chill. They ate tffll trying to reach a conclusion on tfie total indemnity to be imposed on O^nnany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. The. financial commission of the conference prepared 18 articles for inclusion in the Peace Treaty, the majorIty of which have been unanimously adopted.—Ans.-N.Z Cable Assn. AMERICANS PESSIMISTIC. Paris, April 5. The Americans liave been sharply pessimistic throushout the week. The anticipation that the narrowing of the conference down to four would produce rapid remits has not been realised. Ttw plan has thrown a large number of delegates idle, and great secrecy has sapped public support of the conference and en(rendered suspicions that may be unfounded The great democracies are left fa tlie dark while four men seek to settle ttie world's destinies, a task which is aggravated by the almost daily accruing troubles in various parts of Burope, and may well overwhelm them. The Italians are credited with preparing strong action owing to the reluctance of other delegates to allot Fiunae to Italy.. What is certain is that Signor Orlando withdrew from the Council of Four when M. Trumfbitch presented the Jugoslav claim. Signor Bareilai, one of the Italian delegates, declared that the failnre of the Council to respect Italy's rights would lead to a dire internal situation in Italy. The delegate tfAeA that Signor Orlando could not in fowtfee to the people negotiate with representatives of *be people which frni»ht ftftfr until the last hour. It was fcelow the dignity of the Italian delegation to deal with those responiSfe for the major portion of the deafta.