The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-17
TO DECIDE TODAY
Final Action on Military Terms
Made This Afternoon.
Supreme Council VIII Meet to
Take Last Move.

Paris March 1..-Final action on
the military terms of the preliminary
peace treaty with Germany was to be
taken by the supreme war council this
afternoon.
The treaty will be presented to the
Germans about March IS. according to
general opinion here today. This
slight disarrangement of previous
plans is due to the necessity for Pre-
mier Lloyd George to return to Eng
land the last of this week. He is ex-
pected to return to Paris next Mon
day.
While the forthcoming treaty with
Germany il termed preliminary, it is
to all intents and purposes final 1t
fixes that country's military and ma
val status, defines its boundaries and
disposes of the questions of reparation
and economic freedom. 1t will not be
really effective. however, until it is
| ratified by all. or a fixed percentage
of the signatory nations The period
for ratification by the allied nations
may be at least forty to sixty days.
This will give an opportunity for the
calling of special session of the
ate to act Germany probably will be
given much shorter period in which
to accept the terms.
Then the Other Losers.
Following this preliminary peace
with Germany there will be separate
treaties with Austria, Turkey and Bull
garia; then the general treaty. which
will clean up all loose ends, co-ordi-
nate the separate paets. establish any
remaining inter-allied boundaries, etc.
! 1t was apparent today that some of
the peace delegates have overlooked
| the resolution passed by the plenary
session of the peace conference cited
by President Wilson Saturday as state
| ments from French and British
| sources during the past few days have
been to the effect that the league will
not be included in the preliminary
peace. The apparent assumption that
| only the final treaty can carry the
| league proba bly, has been influenced
| by American opposition rather Eu-
ropean, according to the opinion pre-
vailing in American circles here. The
president. following issuance of his
| statement that the league will be in
| ciuded in the treaty, conferred with
program for handling the work OF
completing the league constitution
simultaneously with framing the
treaty.
the league in the preliminary treaty
pointed out today that the present
covenant was drawn up in thirt,
working hours and that even il nu
merous amendments are submitted
the final draft can be quickly perfect
ed. 1t is believed, however. that wher
the time comes for submitting amend
ments there will be comparative,
few
Neutral nations, in response to tn.
invitation to have representatives con
fer with the league committee her,
March 20, already have begun selec
. ton of their delegates. Sweden Is un
derstood to have picked HJalma
Branting. Socialist leader.
Between the date of submission o
the preliminary treaty to German,
and its ratification by the allies. tn,
armistice terms will continue effect
i've. Germanys commerce will be reg
ulated according to the agreemen
reached at the recent Brussels confer
ence. The blockade commission wa
scheduled to submit to the suprem,
| economic council today it's recommen
dations for easing the blockade OF Ger
many and Austria.