The Topeka state journal., 1919-04-10

Paris, April 10-The "big four"
setting new pace in its deliberations.
has reached a stage where It was re-
lably forecasted today that the predic-
tons of an Easter peace" will not fan
many days short of the mark. If the
present progress continues II was said.
the George Washington probably viii
be held in Brest and will return to
the United States early in May with
President Wilson aboard The Italians
are now ready to accept International
lzation OF Fiume. according to authors
tative information.
France Gets Saar Mines.
IT is understood that France will get
| use of the Saar coal mines and control
or labor IN the mines as part of her
reparation. This is regarded as a fair
\ return for GeTmany's destruction of
French coal mines in the Lens region.
Germany will retain political control
of the Saar basin and a pIebiscite will
he held later to determine permanent
disposition OF that territory
-Four important observation-disclosures
the Saar valley. reparation. and re-
sponsibility which have contributed
largely to the delay in arranging "a
peace settlement, have thus been Vir-
tually disposed of. Many observers
are disposed to attach considerable
significance TO the fact that this sud-
den increase of speed developed i'm
mediately after the president sum-
moned the George Washington to
Brest giving the impression that he
was prepared to leave Paris at once
unless the conferees submerged their
individual claims in favor of world in
terests.
| Conform TO II Points.
Frances claims have been reduced
to rock bottom minimum. conforms
/ ing strictly with President Wilson
fourteen points. it was stated on the
! best authority today.
! So far as definite principles are con-
i cerned. Premier Clemcnceau and the
other French delegates can only stick
to their guns and wait" persons close
/ to the French officials said.
! They are not asking annexation Of
an inch of ground. it was pointed out.
= but merely demanding reparation for
war damages and sufficient indemnifi-
cation for costs of the war to prevent
/ national ruin.
CIemenceau is living up to his rep
aration as sphynx. An intimate
friends of the Tiger" told the United
Press he asked the premier how
things were going in the big four
Clemenceau replied he was unable TO
| talk as he had agreed with his coli
ing place in the meetings.
lloyd George Has Power.
Premier Llovd George, according to
general belief. today occupies the
| unique position of holding the bal
ance of power" in the peace confer
ence.
American delegates. clinging to the
fourteen points and the armistics
lterms. have clashed more frequently
with the interests OF France and Italy
than those Of any other power. II was
pointed out. Lloyd Georges policy
thruout the peace deliberations has
been based largely on a determination
to win Americas permanent friend
ship no matter what else happens.
many Of his friends declare. As re-
suit when the recent .'crisis' devei-
oped, the British premier is said to
have thrown his support unstintedlv
to President Wilson. making possible
the remarkable progress of the last
| two days.
Lloyd George. is now between two
fires. While striving to maintain the
present pace by agreeing to necessary
compromises and bringing his infIu-
ence to bear on his French and ItaI-
ian collea CUES. the premier must bear
in mind his prediction pledges and
conservative parliament to hold him
to his promises.
Means No Disagreement
Washington. April 10.--State de-
partment officials today said that the
presidents return would not neces-
sarily mean disagreement at the peace
conference and that it was quite like
ly he would return In advance of the
other American delegates. leaving
them to finish a number of minor
questions
AS for the Intricate Russian problem
Continued on Page Two.D