Evening star., 1919-04-10
Mr.. Wilson Presides Over
Body Acting Also on French
and Japanese Proposals.
AGREEMENTS REACHED
UPON GREAT ISSUES
Future of Sarre Valley, Question
of Reparations and Disposition
of Kaiser Decided Upon by
Council of Four.
r. the Associated Press.

tne hSSociateu ffess
PARIS. April 10 tHavas)
Wilson was expected to preside over
the league of nations commission
when it resumed its sessions today
The program called for discussion or
amendments proposed by the Franch,
American and Japanese delegations.
The publication in Paris today OF a
statement attributed to British
sources to the effect that the terms Of
the peace treaty would not be presented
to a plenary session Of the peace confer
ence until after they had been placed
before the German representatives
caused comment among delegates OF
the nations not represented on the
council of four.
The publication brought out from
the American mission the statement
that it was opposed to such plan.
Agree on Sarre Valley.
PARIS. April s.-The council Of four
reached an agreement this afternoon
on the Sarre valley. The agreement
will leave sovereignty over the valley
unchanged. but accords to France
free of duty, sufficient coal for the
Lorraine iron industry and to replace
the production of the mines destroy
ed in the Lens mining district, with
the privilege to the Germans Of re-
storing the Lens mines and thus re-
lieving the Sarre valley OF that
charge.
This agreement removes one OF the
most difficult obstacles to the conclu-
sion Of peace.
W Ksiser WIN be Tstsds
The responsibility of the German
emperor for the war and the means
for bringing him to trial by one OF
the allied COVE ernments-probabiy Bel
Sium-haye been definitely deter
mined upon by the council Of four.
This follows the definite decision on
the terms Of reparation for war dam
ages. whereby $5.ooe.e00.opo must De
paid within the next two years, anu
an interallied commission assess the
remaining damage for. period OF
thirty years. beginning May l. 1871.
Thus two great obstacles which
stood in the path of the rapid attain,
ment Of peace have been removed
and. the period Of extreme tension
over. the. inaction and the failure to
secure tangible results are succeeoed
by revived confidence over the great
settlement ..
Difficulties Not Disclosed.
The exact nature of these dificulties
are not disclosed. Friends. OF the
President maintain that they. we're
largely Of a minor character, not in
volving large principles though the
Presidents adherence to his -four
teen points" as the rigid Limitation OF
scope Of action appears to have run
all through the deliberations during
the tense period of the last few days
While the tension has been greatly
reduced it is not entirely removed, as
much depends on the continuation OF
progress with respect 10 the remain
ing obstacles. notably the Sarre val
ley. the Rhine frontier, the Adriat.e
issue and a number of lesser issues
Which are still short of final agree
ment.
Result of COMPROMISE.
The agreement. on responsibilities
for the war is understood to have
DCen a COHlpfOIiioC oSf"S
renorts presented by the commission
of which Secretary Lansing is chair
man. There was a practical 'aEree-
ment on the general responsibility OF
the German emperor for bringing on
the war. but division occurred on
whether it was feasible to bring him
to Justice before an international
tribunal
vored a tribunal, but the American
view, it is understood, favored morai
Indictment without recourse to prose-
cution. owing to the lack Of an in,
ternational. law as basis Tor 1rlai
before an international court BE-
eium. on which the war fell nrst ana
heaviest. is reported to nave taken
United States while japan and Itaiy
we're partially In accord win ths
American view
How Germany Will Pay,
The text as finally approved on rep
arations specifies that the enemy
countries must admit responsibility
for ALL loss and damage to allied ana
associated nations and their citizens
caused by the unjustihable aggression
nut. in view of the inability OF the
enemy countries fully to recompense
hese losses the clause states. an inter
allied commission VIII assess inc
losses on a just basis.
Germany is to pay the entire cost or
the commission and stan during the
thirty years of operations. The hrst
nayment, is to be credited against
obligation to pay for the
the occupied regions. and the second
priority is for the payment Of food
relief furnished to Germany.