The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-04-11
PRELIMINARY PEACE
READY BY EASTER

This conference a TO meet ana ais
cuss things under conditions unprec.
edented in history. All eyes are turn.
ed toward it and, what is more grave
all ears L glued at it's key-hole. En-.
envy ear tremble with joy when they
detect some hesitation. Friendly ears
half hear confused rumors which are
peddled far and quickly.
"The day does not pass but what
some false news here and there takes
flight. Nevertheless, no day passes
but that we in silent deliberation feel
approaching nearer the great aim and
experience for each other more esteem,
confidence and effection. Let public
opinion wait a few days. 1t will then
be able to pronounce m facts, not
rumors."
Agree on Preparations.
The council of four on Saturday
reached an agreement on the princl-
Piles Of the indemnities and Preparations
to be paid by Germany and eXamina-
ton of the details will begin immed-
lately, the newspapers say. 1t is not
believed there will be any disagree
ment as to details, and it is indicated
that the text Of the financial terms
will be finished during the week.
The Echo De Paris says compromis-
es were effected on debatable points
regarding the sum to be paid at once
by Germany, and the payments in the
future. Against the opposition of the
French government, it was agreed,
the paper says, to distribute the fu-
ture payments over a term of 80
years. The payments for the next
few years were fixed.
The Journal says there are indica-
tions that the rights of France and
Belgium to prior consideration in the
payments by Germany have been rec
ognized. The first German payment,
it says, will be $4,000, 100000 francs,
of which five billions will go to pay for
raw materials to insure the resump-
ton of German economic life. France
will get ten billion francs and Belgium
five billion of the first payment. The
rest of the indemnity, the paper says,
will cover a period of 35 years.
Will Give up Rhine Bank.
Plans for continued occupation Of
the left bank of the Rhine have been
abandoned and the allies will depend
upon a neconomic blockade as the
means of pressure on Germany. FL
nal agreement on the Rhine and Sarre
valley questions will be reached be-
fore the end Of the week, it is stated.
Increased optimism in diplomatic
circles is noted by the press, while in
editorials the newspapers express sat
isfaction owe the progress made on
tile question of reparation and indem-
nifty.
The favorable solution of the Dan
zig question is commented upon in
complimentary terms.
The possibility of peace by easter
is doubted by French newspapers.
The Journal points out that even
if the preliminaries are wholly agreed
upon by Easter there remains all the
! negotiations with Germany, which it
believes will be at least as laborious
as the four patIers between the allies
and associated powers.
The Matin declares that there is a
divergence Of opinion in the council
of four on the essential point of rep
aration, while territorial questions are
in fair way toward a satisfactory set
Element. On the question of repara-
| ton, it says, there is still a gulf be-
tween what France is offered and
what she claims is fairly due her
On that point, the newspaper adds
the French government will be i'm
movable because it "can not sign q
treaty which will make France bank
rupt."
"Where do we stand in the work
of pacification?" asks the Eco De
Paris. 1t answers the question as fol
lows:
at is only too clear that the league
Of nations lies in pieces on the floor
Of the Hotel De Crillon, (AmericaI
headquarters), and the modest ALI
ance which might with advantage oc.
cupy its place is only a vague SKETCH
The newspaper fears that the coun.
Gil of four will produce at any cost
some sort Of peace formula, good OF
had, which it believes will be the worst
danger.