The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-19
CLAIMS OF SERBIA
 ARE HEARD BY THE SUPREME COUNCIL
Some Representatives Alb. sent, Believing Time for Talk Past and Action
 Needed Now
By Associated Press


 Paris, February 1S.-Thc SUI
 prene council of the great powers
 today heard the portrayal of Ser
 bia's claims. some of the represen-
 tatives of the council, however. re-
 mnfned away, feeling that the time
 for talk was past and that the
 present need svas action for getting 2, back to a peace basis. ssssas--..---4~-
 This movement IS taking form in the most responsible British, American Ital- ian and French quarters and promises to yield definite results within the next few days The first stage will be in the per manent armistic plan, which Marshal Foch will present within fortnight. talk ing the place of the short-term armis- tice announced yesterday.
 These permanent terms will be the pre- liminary steps toward peace and will be incorporated into the peace treaty to follow. This will bring a peace treaty measurably within sight.
 The present prospect is the first draft of five or six essential provisions, which will be ready when President Wilson re- turns March 15, so that early action can be secured by the full conference. and the enemy powers can be called in by April. The peace congress with all the powers represented, would thus be constituted by late spring and give prospect of the con cluson of a peace treaty by the early days of summer.
 While such plan is necessarily elastic. owing to the range of subjects. unforeseen circumstances and enemy opposition, yet it is the plan those in chief influence hope to see carried out as a result of the systematic procedure now being organ ized
 What appears to be the main difficulty is territorial boundaries, but virtually all these issues are interalied and inter- pose no obstacle to peace with the enemy.
 THE PERMANENT ARMISTICE
 Meanwhile the supreme war council IS rapidly bringing together d permanent aTmistice which will last until peace is concluded This is being first framed by the military, naval and economic ex- perts and then will finally be passed on shal Foch presents it, which probably by the supreme war council before Mar will be within the next week or 10 days.
 The principal feature is German dis armament down to the requirements of alt international police, not exceeding 25 divisions of about 10000 or 12.000 men each, a total force of approximately 250. COO men. Other restrictions will cover production of armament of all kinds and the complete disappearance of the en- emy's submarine equipment.
 The naval terms, while jointly agreed to by the experts. have not yet been approved by the war council. It is under stood the agreement concerning the dis mantling of the Qualifications of Helgo- land and of the Kiel canal will have some reservations from American quar- ters, so as not to establish precedent for the standardization of canals and water ways wholly within American national boundaries, such as Hell Gate. the Cape Cod canal and the system of canals rum ming parallel with the Atlantic coast line. The Panama canal has not come up dur ing the discussions. but suitable reser- vations will be made so that no prece- dent is established that will be applica- ble to this waterway. The dismantling of Helgoland reservations will. it is be- Iieved, have in view the establishment of precedent against the fortification of islands lying along the American coast which are regarded as part of the coast defenses.
 After hearing the Serbs today, their claims were refeEsed to a commission with the exception of the issue with Italy on the eastern Adriatic, on which nego- tiations for an adjustment are still pro ceeding.