The Washington herald., 1919-04-17
ECONOMIC PROGRAM
PRACTICALLY FINISHED
Experts Predict Treaty of
Peace viii Be Signed
Within Two Weeks After
Presentation to Germans
Unless Huns Should Sud
denly Decide to Reject
1t.

Pa7s. April B-The American 49,
nomic program is practically COM
pleted and it provides q number OF
special advantages TO France to th.
indemnities from Germany, the ar
rangement 20 expire at the end Of
hve years unless renewed by the
league Of nations.
The Sasr arrangements provide.
that the coal consumed IN the dis
trict itself shall not be taken over BY
France. Also the coal sent to the
gas-msking plants in Germany 1, not
TO be interferred with and a limited
period is accorded German Industries
10 affect a rcadustment enabling them
to obtain fuel prior to the taking over
OF the supply by France.
OmeisI Invitstien.
The oficial Invitation TO the Ger
mans 70 come TO Versailles and re-
srei=e the peace treaty was penned hy
Presrdsnt Wilson himself and de.-
patched to weimsr. the present seat
OF the German government last night.
by special courier.
II is understood that the 800 Gar
man peace delegates will comprise
leaders OF every phase Of German life.
Experienced diplomats sas IN.
treaty should be signed in a Fortnight
after its delivery TO the Germans; that
is unless it is rejected. which latter
contingency is not anticipated.
II virtually has been settled th,,
the treaty will not be published in .d-
vance OF its signing but there Is ,
possibility that there will be an
executive session OF the Peace Confer
ence at which il will be read before
ii Is handed 10 the Germans.
The Italians were showing sign,
of increasing restlessness TODAY as
Tho big four" continued discussion
OF fhume and other Adriatic CUES
tions without reaching a decision. T.
Assertions that there will be
revolution il Italy is not given
Fiume were repeated in Italian eir-
cles. but. so far as known. a basis
on which a compromise could be
made on all Italian territorial
claims has not been reached.
The Italians were reported 20 be
maintaining their attitude Of refus-
ing to deal with the JuEo-sIays.
regarding the latter as stn their
enemies.
Matters Discussed.
In addition 10 the Italian situs-
tion, the big four discussed SchIes-
wig-Holstein and HelSoIand.
The foreign ministers council de-
bated the drafting of articles OF the
treaty regarding opium trade. revi-
sion OF the Belgian treaty OF lSz.
recognition by Germany Of the Brit
ish position in Egypt and the aocer,-
ance by Germany Of allied prize court
decisions
The supreme economic council an
proved a plan whereby surplus raw
materials will be offered for sale %
Germany before the peace treaty e.
signed. 4 committee Was appointed
10 devise means OF increasing Itaiy'S
insufficient coal supply.
The German peace delegation, Of
ficSaIly ordered to Versailles on
April IS. will follow the route over
which their armies marched to the
gates of Paris in 1slI. It was learn
ed today.
But the enemy, as in 1914. will
not enter Paris. They will be forced
to skirt the city and proceed directly
TO their quarters in Versailles.
The Germans, numbering about l75.
will arrive i'm Cologne. where they will
take a special train. They will be
whirled toward Versailles through
scenes of devastation wrought by Ger
man hsnds-possibly under direction
OF some Of the minor officials IN tho
party.
While there has been no ofiicisl con-
firmation that a time limit viii be
placed on the Germans. tho French
consider such action as probable. els.
the discussions would drag on with
out end.