The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-31
Persistent Efforts For Speeding Up Peace
 Conference Seconded
Preparation Issue Due Lloyd George and Clemen- ceaus Prediction Pledges to Make Germany Pay En-
 tire War Cost-ReIigious Freedom Sidetracked
By Associated Press

By Asso
 Paris, March 3O.-Persistent effol gates, were seconded for the most pa up the work of the various councils of the peace treaty, resulted in bctt' the past week. That most importaI present week is perdicted by those WI the disposition of the Monroe doetr which have been the main obstacles t It is learned that there has recently been revival of certain propositions and arguments, which has tried the pa tience of some of the participants in the deliberations. But apparently new ideas had been exhausted and there are signs of the rapid approach of the end Of the discussions. Therefore, it is expected that President Wilson, whom some of the French newspapers, as well as some influential British papers, have held re- sponsible in a measure for the delays, is about to exercise the power which goes with the responsibility to make all end to the delays.
 REP ARATION AN ISSUE
 The most stubbcrn1y contested subject
 
 was that of reparation, and it is sug- gested that the delay in this case cannot be charged up to the Americans, but rather to the prediction promises or Premier Lloyd George and Premier Clem- enceau to make the Germans pay the whole cost of the war which have led to some embarrassment, because of the pat ent inability of the enemy to pay more than fraction of the enormous indem- nifty that will be required for that pur- pose.
 However, real progress has been made in bringing about an agreement on the total amount of indemnity and the terms of payment on 8 basis of palnstaklns studies of the exact state of German industries and resources at the present time and prospects for the future made by the financial. commissions of the con ference The American representatives on these commissions Fave convinced their foreign colleagues of the danger of forcing Germany to sign under duress conditions they honestly believe peyono the ability of Germany to meet, point ing out that such a peace would surely never be permanent, but would result in repudiation at some future day when Germany felt she had the sympathy or the majority or was strong enough rom a military standpoint.
 SAFEGUARD MONROE DOCTRINE Although President Wilson has stated that the league of nations covenant oi- rector not delay the progress or the treaty because the work of the other commissions was equally essentiar 10 us gompletion the subject has been lne <>fs tltftinx the past week. The desire of the \ sr1er1can feleGates to safeguard the MOD 2 roe doctrine and to insert other amend ,nefts to meet home criticism mas ,en- porarily prevented the report or the re- vised covenant from being submitted 10 ,,leytarv meeting of the conference. The neetinr of the commission on Thursday, however, gave the finishing touches to inc formula. which it is believed is sat isfa ctory to the council of four, ana ,,,anarv session will likely be held on Saturday.
 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
 It has been decided to avoid contro- yersv oyer the guarantee of religious free dom by remitting the subject to specla. treaties which must be made With au new states that have arisen through the war. The Japanese delegates are eM nected to complete tHstr record by call ing for an expression of sentiment by the council of 10 and perhaps the pie nary conference, upon their declaration of equality before the law of all na- tionaIs, in the league of nations.
 Signs that the directing forces Of the conference look for tfie early completion of the first s1ste treaty are found m the preparation now going on at yer x,ailles for meeting of the peace coh- ference or it's representatives with the German commissioners. Telegraph ana telephone lines are being installed ana accommodations have been provided for the large secretariat which must hanoie the details of the treaty making
 GERMANS WILL SIGN
 Privately, confidence is expressed by the leading delegates that the Germans will sign the treaty, though not, or course, without strenuous objection over many details.
 It is realized that, unless handled dis creetly out of such an incident as an attempt to land Polish troops at Danzig a serious rupture might follow. But II is understood that the Germans are 10 be given assurance that these troops Will be landed in small detachments only and will be immediately transferred into To land. and that there will be no attempt to seize the city itself under the arm- stice, nor at all, unless the peace treaty to which the Germans subscibe depriVes them of that port