THE ALLIES' TERMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 5

THE ALLIES' TERMS.

SIX THOUSAND MILLIONS. A WISE NEUTRAL ZONE. Beceived April 15, 945 p.m. ' >\ Paris, April 14. IF a believed the Allien' claims against Germany amount to six thousand millions, with tbe reservation that they nav claim a larger amount if necessary. It is reported that France has been allocated 5J per cent., the allocation being baaed on the number of dead and the material destruction inflicted.

It is likely that the Saar Valley will belong to the French customs union. It )'» also likely that a neutralised Kme twenty-five miles deep will be established on the right bank of the Rhine. ■Fifteen years' occupation of the Rhine line is contemplated.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

GERMANY'S FUTURE BOUNDARIES. GREATLY REDUCED. .teceived April 16, 1.15 a.m. Paris, April 14. The treaty defines the future boundaries of Germany, and dispossesses her of til her colonies, Alsace-Lorraine, the Saar Vallejt and Ifanzig, for which special forms of government will bo provided under the League's supervision. Provision is made for the demilitarisation of the left bank of the Rhine. France hat the option of selling the Saar collieries to -Germany if France so desires after the lapse of a certain number of years. Provisions are included regarding the future of German trading, and a general statement covering Germany's responsibilities for crimes during the war and in connection with the declaration of war. The treaty will include the League's covenant. ■'• Another main feature, perhaps, will be ■a labor convention, though this has not y*t been decided upon by the Council of Pour. The treaty will not define the boundaries of the newly-created States, which will be dealt with in a subsequent docurt, which probably will be known as first act of the League of Nations after peace with Germany is signed. There will be the conclusion of a treaty with Bulgaria, which, undoubtedly, will be of a drastic character, restoring Dobrudja to.Boumania and the whole Aegean coast to Greece.—Reuter.

BREACHES OP LAWS OF WAR. MAIN COUNTS OF INDICTMENT. _. Received April 15, 5.5 p.m. London, April 14. The recommendations of the Commission on the breach of the laws of war am now before the Supreme Council It is practically certain that the -verdict of this international jury will be endorsed and that the findings will be adopted. The main counts of the indictment are as follows The war was premeditated by the Central Powers, Turkey, and Bulgaria, and was the result of deliberate act? to. make it unavoidable, Germany having deliberately worked to de-fmt-tbe Entente's conciliatory proposals; that the neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg was deliberately violated; that the war was carried on by tie Central Empires and their allies by barbarous methods; that the fact* of the crimen are enumerated in thirty-two different categories, but are incomplete, though indisputably vouched for, and the ctv for justice that all the offenders, irrespective of rank, including heads of States, are liable to criminal prosecution; that an international tribunal and national tribunals be established for the trial oi the guilty persona; and that the Allied Powers take steps to secure the surrender by neutral Governments of persons within their territories for trial , by such courts. Many tributes fcave bees paid to Mr. Massey for his work as a member of the commission and chairman of the sub-commission on facts and of the drafting committee. Sir E. Pollock, Solicitor-General, in a notable letter to Mr- Massey, refers to Mr. Masse/s determination and diplomacy, and says: "I «ptfak on behalf of the Attorney-General as well as of myself when I ask you to accept our gratitude, also our appreciation of the way in whish you have fulfilled your double duties as member of the commission and chairman of the sui-eommiaison. Without skill and judgment your task as chairman might have proved mUrainable, and it is to your prtwer of getting the sub-commission to work aujcrimiiiateiy and to co-operate together that we owe a succinct and accurate table of facta that forms'part of our complete report" Mr. Massey left to-day on an official Visit to London.—Official.

THE ADRIATIC QUESTION.

Paris, April 14.resident Wilson and Signor Orlando conferred onsthe Adriatic question, the Onneil of Four not meeting.—Aub. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

CHDSBSE INDEPENDENCE. Park, April 11. • The- Chinese claim the abrogation of tV Japanese treaty of 1915, because it in incompatible with the Leeague of Nations. They also claim complete freedom to direct their own destiny.—Aug. N.Z. Cable Assoc-

itEE JAPANESE CLAIM. Paris, April 12 § The Japanese claim for equality fonnd-ll supporters out of 17, but as i unanimous decision is essential the prpiNvtmit was rejected. Sir Robert Cecil opposed importing into <\w covenant anything which might Interfere with any nation's sovereignty or that might open the way to a future demand for free immigration. The Japanese took the decision in a good spirit. —United Service. The chief opponent to the Japanese amendment was Mr. Hughes, Australia compelling Britain to withhold approval orv» rt,,„ preventing its adoption. The British attitude is causing people to !»«!: what effect it will have on the Japanese alliance. The Japanese deleputes. wtend to re-offer the racial •«nenament at the plenary conferp*ce.— Ans. N.Z. gable Aw*