The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-03-03
49,
PtACE MAY BIT
SIGNED IN may
The French 0bstructionists
Cease Activity.
TREATY IS NEARLY READY
May Be Presented to the ENJOYS Of
Central Powers Next Month-League
of Nations to Be Supplement.

central powers Next vi onth-Iea9ue
Of Nations to Be Supplement.
overhanging the peace conference,
such as the Jugo-Slav dispute, there
are the best of reasons for the belief
that the German delegates will be in
Paris early in April and the impress
sion is growing in all circles that the
May at the latest.
Andre Tardieu and the other French
members of the conference now hold
firmly to this view, which is regard
ed as sign ticant for the reason thai
the French reservations and objections.
obstacle to early signing of the treaty.
But fresh evidence is afforded every
day now that the French as we'll as
the others intend to yield many points
in the interest of a speedy peace,
which there is a general disposition
now to regard as vital to the preSer-
walton OF civilization and social order.
1t is possible now to forecast to
some extent the procedure connected
with the appearance of the Germans
at the peace table, which undoubtedly
will mean dramatic stage in the
Wilson about March, 15 will be follow
ed Immediately by the most important
meetings yet held by the council of
ten, inasmuch as summaries Of all
reports must he laid before the lead,
ers, With the possible exception of
that on responsibility for the war,
which may not be made until later
These committee reports will not be
made to the conference but to the
council and will not be made public
until the treaty has been drawn.
The leaders. in series of meetings
TO be held during the last two weeks
in March, will outline the peace treaty.
appointing drafting committee to
work out the ideas in detail The
latest date now set for the completion
of the treaty is the first week in April.
The league of nations will await the
drawing up of the actual peace treaty
and later will be made a supplement
to 1t, provided the conference adopts
the covenant. The most important
features of the peace treaty will he:
l. Boundaries of new Germany,
which will show a tremendous shrink
Ing, as eastern Prussia probably will
be neutralized, while Posnania, part of
Silnc,;n M h
severed on the east ON the west the
Rhenish provinces will be neutralized.
temporarily and East Prussia and
East Prussia and Scbleswig will be en-
tilely4 severed.
q. The disarmament features, al
ready drawn up by the commission IN
der Marshal Foch.-
8. Amount of damages Germany
will be required to pay. and the terms
of payment; the distribution Of the
sum will he left to the allies.
4. The economic conditions under
which the blockade will be lifted and
German trade may be resumed.
3. Acknowledgements by Germany
Of it's culpability and the fixing of re-
sponsibility, morally. at least, on the
authors of the war.
Regarding economic conditions,
there is now general agreement to
require of her series of payments
to cover many years. On the big
points Of the treaty the allies now
are rapidly approa ching an agreement.
As soon as the treaty. has been drafted
the German representatives will be in.
vited to appear before the delegates
Of all the victorious powers; the plan
is that they shall face the entire AS
sanblage of the allied representatives,
instead of holding plenary meetings.
with the council of ten.
To signalize the change in character
whfcl3 the conference will undergo
when this stage is reached, the pres
emit plan is to have. the full conference
repair to Versailles and probably the
Germans will not be allowed TO come
to Paris at all, but will be lodged at
Versailles.
All negotiations with the Germans
will be done in full conference, IL
present plans re carried out, no Cd
portunity being given for secret par
leying, which is repugnant to the
ideals Of all the allies.
1t looks. now as IL the amount to
be fixed in the peace treaty, for Ger
many to pay In reparation claims GER
tainly will not exceed $4,000, 600 600
and probably will be closer to $780,
OOO.OOO,O0O. The subcommittee, of
which Daniel Lamont is the American
member, is engaged now in fixing the
amount that Germany will be able to
pay. this now being generally accept
ed as-the proper starting point.
This committee has consulted f1nan-
ciers and made survey of all Ger
man resources, with the result that
opinion now favOes fixing the amount