New-York tribune., 1919-04-17
Treaty. Plans
Revealed to
Small Nations
big Four Calls Allies In
to Discuss Preliminary
Arrangements for the
Conference at Versailles

PARIS, April 1e (By The Associated
Press).-The council of four met this
morning and took up the request of
Belgium for revision Of the treaty
of 1889 and Belgiums demand for the
annexation Of Malmedy, in the Rhine
province of Prussia southwest of AK
la-Chapelle, and Moresnet, a small sec
ton of "No Mans Land" the disposi.
ton Of which was left undecided at
the Vienna Conference. 1t lies be-
tween the Belgian province Of Liege
and the Prussian Rhine province.
Until the outbreak Of the war,
Morcsnet enjoyed the unique position
of being without either q government
Or national allegiance. It's residents
served in no army, paid no taxes and
had no such modern institutions as
railroads, posts and telegraphs. de-
pending on such accommodations as
were provided by adjacent countries.
The only government consisted Of a
municipal administration.
Delegates Of the eighteen states,
which declared war against Germany.
exclusive Of the five great powers,
were called to meet al this after
noon at the French Foreign Office.
with repre- esentatives of the five powers.
The meeting was presided over by M.
Clemenceau, who communicated TO
them the date on which the Germans
would be invited to be at Versailles.
One question considered was whether
the invitation should be issued in the
name of the Council or Five or in the
name of all the Allied and associated
powers represented at the peace con-
terence. The impre ession prevailing
after the meeting was that all should
join in the invitation.
The Council of Ten met after the
meeting of the delegates of the egh-
teen powers. and considered the pro-
cedure to be adopted at Versailles, and
also number of collateral phases of
the peace treaty that had been re-
ftrred to the Foreign Ministers.
Once on the call of the council of
Four. President Wilson was in attend
ance. The report of the Foreign Min
listers showed that various articles of
the treaty had been put into the hands
OF the drafting committee. The re-
naming articles are to be disposed of
tomorrow.
Two questions one involving a slight
addltion to the military terms. and the
other concerning the payment of AL
led soldiers IN the occupied territory.
Council. '
The Council OF Four decided definite
iy, yesterday that military occupation
OF the left bank of the Rhine Shall CON
tlhuc Tor hftecn years. the newspapers
say. At frat inter-Ailied forces would
be used. but they would be withdrawn
progressively In proportion as Germany
met her financial obligations. and be
replaced by French and Belgian SOL
dicrs.
The journal" says that the Central
Territorial Commission OF the nenca
conference has decided the Teschen
problem in favor of Bohemia as against
Poland. 's''''''
The council discussed questions rela-
tive to Schleswig Holstein, Heligoland
and the Adriatic. While the council
was in session the Foreign Ministers
met and considered claims which have
neen made by Germany to holdings in
islands in the Antarctic Ocean.
The Foreign Ministers also tool, I'm
the draft of articles for the peace
treaty providing for the recognition
by Germany of the British position in
Egypt and the passing over of the
Sultan's rights under the Suez Canal
Convention, the acceptance by Germany
or Allied prize court decisions. and
likewise an article dealing with the
future status of Morocco.
President Wilson finished the day bv
a series OF calls at the American head
quarters, visiting General Tasker n
Bliss and Colonel E. NJ. House, among
others, and discussing with them