The daily banner., 1919-04-16
RHINE BOUNDARY
IS SETTLED
Council Of Four Takes Up the
italian Ques ion.
MEET GERMANS ON Is H
The Treaty Will Be Divided Into TWO
Parts, One of Watch Will Not Con-
Germ Germany Directly. -


Paris, April 16-The council of
four of the peace conference went into
session with the question of the Adrl-
attic again before it.
Arthur ]. 'Balfour, British secretary
for foreign affairs took the place of
Mr.. Lloyd George, who went to Lon
Ion.
The supreme economic council is
considering the question of permitting
Germany to have certain raw materi-
as before the peace treaty becomes
effective, with revision of the block
ade regulations to that extent. 1t is
understood the prospects are good for
favorable action.
The economic council members are
also considering plan for the con.
servation of Italy's coal supply.
Belgium has been asked TO name
delegate to sit on the economic COM
mission.
A statement by President Wilson in
oehalf of the council of four says the
questions of peace are so near COM
piete solution they will be Gu ckly
and finally drafted.
This announcement said that the
German plenipotentiaries had been in
vited to meet at Versailles on April
p
The president hopes the question of
Italy, especially relating to the Adri-
attic. will be brought to Il speedy agree
ment
The settlements belonging especially
o the treaty with Germany, he says.
will thus be got out of the way, and
at the same time other settlements
will be completely formulated.
1t is stated in authoritative quarters
that a satisfactory agreement had been
.eached on the question of the Rhine
frontier
The last of the main obstacles in
he way to the peace treaty with Ger
many is thus removed.
NJ. Clemenceau called on Colonel
House and expressed himself as en-
tirelv satisfied with the settlement.
This indicates the French will secure
guarantees which will protect them
adequately against renewed German
aggression.
The announcement is belieTed 10 in
clude complete demilitariZation of
both banks of the Rhine extending
twenty-five miles east of the river and
throughout the sections along the west
oank, in which there will he no forti-.
fcations, no troops and no conscrip~.
ton.
The French hope 10 get allied as
sistance in policing the zone east of
the Rhine, as otherwise they would
be compelled TO transfer garriSOnS
from many French towns, upsetting
long established military arrange
ments.
The treaty will be divided into two
tion in the French press. The first
part will concern Germany and will
include a clause by which she will
pledge herself to comply with all
agreements to be included with her
former allies.
1uc ScSolu pau VIII uol
Germany directly and will be signed
only by the Austrian. Bulgarian and
Turkish delegates
The treaty will be delivered to the
Germans and their arrival at Versail-
les, and subsequent action to the for
mutation of peace will be dependent
somewhat on their authority to sign
or their desire to return to Weimar
for consultation with the authori-
ties.
The German plenipotentaries and
the heads of the mission will be lOdg-
ed in the annex of one of the principal
hotels, while the staff will occupy an
orner hotel.
Both buildings will be guarded by
military forces to prevent contact be-
tween the Germans and persons con-
nected with the peace congress.
1t is anticipated the proceedings at
Vrsaeilles will be of comparatively
short duration. On the suppositiOn
that the Germans will be given eight
days in which to study the terms and
communicate them to their govern
ment, the middle of May has been sug-
gested as the not improbable date of
thc final exchange of signatures.