The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-04
EUROPE'S NEW MAP
ALMOST FINISHED
Determination of Germany's
Western Frontier Greatest
of Problems.
NEUTRAL ZONES FIXED
France to Get Alsace-Lorraine
Steel and Coal Regions
Debated.

By the Associated Pyess.
PARIS, March "a new map Of Eu-
rope is rapidly taking form and within
q week the frontiers OF the old States
will largely be defined as they are to
appear In the peace treaty and the sue
cessive documents fixing territorial
limits
First in Importance is Germany's
western frontier, bordering on France.
which assumes International Significance
az barrier against renewal of the
present war. Owing to the issues in
volved the final determination OF this
question 10 left to the council Of the
great Powers, but in the meantime the
tentative plans have been we'll advanced
by the commission which coordipates re-
ports on all frontier questions.
As 1t now stands the western frontier
comes under three main heads-first, Al
sace-Lorraine secc'6' ne n
and coal regions Of Briey and the Saar
Valley. and third. the extensive st"io OF
German territory on the west bank of
Plan for A1sace-Lorraine.
with respect to Alsace-Lorraine the
present tendency 10 to make recession OF
this section to France without any con-
dition OF a plebiscite or otherwise. It Is
now occupied by military forces under
the armistics, and there IL every indi-
cation that the occupation will become
permanent.
The Briey and Saar Valley sections
are chiefly important as furnishing iron,
steel and coal. on which Germany's mill
tary power was based. and II Is be-
iieved that the now line will definitely
put an end to any further use Of these
sources OF German power. Part OF the
Briey and Saar sections will become
French by the return Of Lorraine.
The main dificulty has been over Il
large section of the Saar coal fields ly-
ing beyond Lorraine and within German
territory. According to the present
plan the northern saar region would be
neither French no. German. but would
occupy q position somewhat similar to
American States It's productive capac-
ity would doubtless go to France. but
politically It's 100000 inhabitants would
not be subject to consumption or military
service either to France or Germany
and would not elect delegates to the
legislative body OF either country.
This and other measures are being
considered with the object Of ''steriliz-
ing the region. so that Germany could
not by a sudden thrush again turn its
production to war uses.
West Bank of Rhine.
Concerning the region along the ives,
bank of the Rhine the present tendency
Is toward the same form OF "steriliza.
ton" which would render this impoten,
for German military uses without giving
IL q definite political status toward
either side. This probably would be
accomplished by the same means as In
the Saar region by making the inhabi-
tants Independent OF CONSUMPTION or
military service to either side and with
out legislative representation except
some local form of self administration.
This, on broad lines. Is the present
plan. which, however, Is only tentative
pending final action by the council OF
the great Powers.
The plans relative TO other frontiers
including those of the new Czecho-
Slovakia, Rumania. Serbia and Greece.
and to the expected acquisition in Thrace
and Asia Minor, are also nearing COM
pletion. so that new Europe will begin
to take quite a definite form within a
week.
The Peace Conference Committee on
Preparations has estimated that $780,
000. 100000 10 the amount which the
enemy countries ought to pay the allied
end associated Powers says a Havas
Agency statement to-day. France, ADDS
the statement, demands immediate pay
ment by the enemy OF $1,000, o00, 900
part In gold, part in materials and par,
IN foreign securit!es, recommending that
the remainder Of the amount be payable
In a pei Tod of from twenty-five to thirty
FIVE years.
German Disarming Discussed.
The disarmament OF Germany from
tho point of view OF the military, nava
and air experts OF the allied and asso-
ciated Powers was discussed by the
Supreme War Council at its meeting to-
day. The council will hold it's rex
m, citing Wednesday afternoon, accord
ing TO the official announcement Is.
sued to-day which says:
The Supreme War Council met to-
day from 8 to o'clock p NJ They
discussed the report OF the military,
naval and air expert on the dis
armament Of the eremv. The next
meeting will take place on Wednes-
day, March 5. at o'clock in the
afternoon.
The subjec. OF Rumanian rights wal
again under discussion by the Peac,
Conference commission appointed to dea
with 1t at sessions held yesterday anC
to-day. In this connection Rumanian ant
Serbian claims were EXAMINED into
Tho official statement reporting the SEES
sions says:
The commission for the study OF
Rumanian territorial claims held
its ninth session yesterday morning
and ito tanfh aaaRIOn this WARNING