Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1919-06-13

change in the terms already given to
Germany even in so far as regards a
change in the machinery for execu-
ting the treaty. President Wilson is
understood to be taking a neutral at
titude between the French premier
and Lloyd George, who, II is said; Is
willing TO comply in certain respects
TO the German demands, especially rs
REGARDS separations.
! Another knotty problem is the qucs-
ton Of Silesia. The disposition of this
province has aroused the greatest an
ger in Germany and, rs q result, dur
ing the last few days, there have been
repeated reports from Paris that the
plan for Decentralization under
the League will be abandoned and a
plebiscite permitted. Such action
would result in the return Of Silesia
to Germany, since the population is
largely German. But Poland, the
chief country affected, has protested
against any change in the disposition
of Silesia from that provided for in
the original terms to Germany. The
meeting of the Council yesterday was
attended by Premier Paderewski of
Poland who protested strongly against
any modification of the peace terms as
far as Silesia is concerned. This has
led to further proposals to grant Ger
many economic rights in Silesia, es-
pecially in connection with the coal,
iron, and ZINC industries. 1t is claimed
that this would help Germany in pay
ing her indemnities to the Allies.
Experts favoring the granting OF
economic rights to Germany in Silesia
say that if the present treaty terms to
Germany regarding the Saare Valley
and Silesia were strictly maintained
it would reduce Germany's coal. sup
ply by 81 per cent, her iron by "a per
cent and her zinc by 80 per cent. For
this reason they favor an economic
exchange between Germany and
Silesia to help make up for this ire
mendous deficit. Poland's political
control over Silesia would, however,
not be seriously affected.
A considerable victory has been won
by the small powers at the Peace Con-
ference. The small states formed out
of the disrupted ustria-Hungarian
Empire have been protesting against
those clauses in the Austrian peace
treaty which limit their ornaments.
Their contention has been that such
limitations would cripple their pow
ers of self-defense in case Of attack
by more powerful neighbOrs. Jugo-
slavia for instance, which has already
been at swords points with Italy over
the Dalmatian claims, maintains that
the limitation of her ornaments as
proposed in the Austrian treaty would
leave her at Italy's mercy. Poland
also contends that she may be called
upon at no distant date to defend her
national boundaries and that the re-
striction Of her armament would un-
duly cripple her. The Council Of Four
has recognized the justice of this
claim and has revoked the clauses call
ing for the reduction of the arma-
ments of Jugoslavia, Czechoslovakia
and the other newly creative countries.
This decision is a curious reflection
on the future efficacy of the League
of Nations. Evidently these small
powers are by no means certain that
the League will prevent future wars
and it would seem that the Allied re-
representatives. at Paris are not certain
of it either. No one has seriously be-
lieved that the League would elm
mate wars altogether but it was felt
by many that it would at least elm
mate wars between the smaller ma
ions. Apparently this feeling is not
justified.