The sun., 1919-05-06
BELGIUM WILL SIGN
TREATY AS DRAWN
CroWn Council Decides Also
to Ask Economic Aid.

BRUSSELS, May b.-The Belgian Gov
eminent has decided TO sign the treaty
of peace, which was discussed at a
Crown Council held here last night. It Ia
announced.
Premier Delcroix in a statement to-
day said:
1--WE considered il impossible to with
draw from the conference, as our dele
gates had obtained important results
The negotiations had arrived at a oead-
lock. but the Powers lad granted US very
great concessions. releasing US from
loans contracted during the war amount
Ing to 81. 200. 900, 900. while we shall have
priority in receiving $500. 200. 900. pay
able in gold and destined to cover inter-
provincial bonds we were obliged to is
sue during the war"
The council met at the Palace at 8
o'clock and continued In session until
midnight. Paul Hymans, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and head of the Belgian
delegation at the Peace Conference.
speaking for himself and for his col
leagues, Emile Nandervelde and N. Van
denheuvel, who remained in Paris, out
lined the situation and gave review OF
the peace terms. He expressed the opin-
ion that the treaty az il stood gave hon
cradle and satisfactory terms to Belgium
and recommended that 1t should be
be signed
He COuHOll unanimously ln00rBed VI.
Hymanss view. but was equally unani-
nous in expressing the opinion that the
attention OF the Powers should be drawn
to the financial and economic situation
IN Belgium and TO the necessity that the
Allies assure Belgium OF complete sup
port looking to her economic restoration.
The council was further OF the opinion
that the Allies should be asked to sup
port the initiation OF negotiations with
uaII
question OF the freedom Of the Scheldt
and the waterways OF East Belgium.
Replying TO an address presented yes
terday by delegates of patriotic soci eties
Burgomaster Max said that Belgium
had been painfully surprised by the fact
that she had not been granted the
'imcral reparauon" she had expected In
the choice OF Brussels as the headquar-
a ters of the League OF Nations. As to
Belgium other claims, the Burgomaster
said that she did not hold out her hand
for aims, but asked just payment for
\ the damages she had suffered. He
feared. however, that the work Of the
Peace Conference would prove that in
the settlement OF international relations
justice had not absolutely conquered
the Idea of empire. Nevertheless he
deprecated giving way to IAN impulsive
gesture OF irritation for. If all OF Bel
important CONCESSIONS we're assured.
The Burgomaster of Antwerp was
likewise called upon to speak by the
participants In big demonstration
there, kilograms were sent to Paul
Hymans. the Foreign Minister at Paris.
and to Premier Delacroix
Al Ghent there was also a demonstra-
ton and the Burgomasters was handed
an address signed by representatives OF
all political groups 10 be transmitted
10 the Belgian delegation at the Peace
Conference.
lie Soir says the Crown Council shares
the opinion that IL the final peace treaty
does not contain the necessary condi-
tons for the speedy restoration Of Bel
GUM by financial measures and
assurances OF diplomatic support for
demands vital 10 Belglum's security II
will be the duty OF the Government &c
recommend to Parliament that It reject
tho peace treaty.