The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-04
GLIMPSE BEHIND SCENES R.t Assnciafnd Erass

Paris. April S.--One of the American experts who is constantly being con suited on various questions before the council, gives the following glimpse of what is going on behind scenes: The situation is extremely difficult, partlc- cuar1y as regards the western frontier in conci1iatory spirit, has been will- ing to do most anything to assure French security short of the stultifca- tion of engagements made at the time of the armistice.
 Z '.The French have been assured of every military protection along the Rhine and for 50 kilometres east of that river, even to the extent of con sidering that any Inilitarye activity In that section shall be looked upon as hostile act. But this is not considered enough and additional claims lead to the conviction that they are open to more than military security and vers- ing on territorial control.
 .The President Is not willing to go that far in creating more Alsace-Lor- raine situations and 1t is this stand against these claims which is causing the delays until some middle ground is found"
 AGREEMENT IN SIGHT
 Concerning separations, It was added that there were good prospects for an early agreement. This will not Spec1fy the total amount, but will leave 1t to a commission to work out details of repar- ation through period of years. The pri- ority of Belgium and France in the dl- vision of the German indemnity also IS said to be nearing agreement.
 As means of finding the middle ground' on the Rhine controversy the supercouncil of four created consult ing body consisting of Anrde Tardleu of France, Charles H. Haskins of Amerl- ca, and viscount Morley of Great Britain. { They labored until o'clock this morning and then called on Col. Edward M. House before seeing the council. To intimates they were not optimistic on the prog ress that is being made.
 Another of President Wilson's entour- age said the real issue was whether President Wilson's principle of self f-de- termination was to be upheld The Presi- dent, he said, did not regard this as principle which should be applied when favorable to the entente and not applied in all cases alike. Just now. it was as- serted. the issues over Danzig. the Saar valley and the region west of the Rhine brought up this principle of self-deter- mination, as it was not clear that the transfer of territorial control of these localities would be in accordance with the wishes and determination or their peoples s
 ,1 King Albert of Belgium figured prom inently during todays conference. The Belgian monarch called on Colonel House at Il o'clock in the morning and later saw President Wilson before the arrival of David Lloyd George Premier Clemenceau and Signor Orlando. The call of King Albert on Colonel House was a decided novelty for which veterans o1 royal proceedings said there was no pre- cedent The King wore the uniform o1 coinniander-in- chief of the Belgian army and was accompanied by a staff officer Flo was met at the entrance of the resi- dence of Colonel House by the colone himself. who escorted him to his private office. where's a deries of conferences rGs'i.Hsas F {: sndsrs.| is King Albert drew attention duri talk with Colone House to BeIG5reH4 vital interests ir frontier and 6f 0o(stions which ar' now reaching }patng stage ant also spoke of hl0 4ft in having Brus sells chosen as S of the league O nations. WEH34.
 departed is undl9SAeb4 to have mad, offers on behalf <1Gaesa as the sea of the league with Grst the Brussels offer of the royAf1N The Swiss of fer included N an extensiv' domain 8 short rom 1eneV' bordering the laNsz
 and President wd E described a. having been moetkt4Shl Bels,ar questions are said 1S b4Ee been dis cussed in a mosE ftory spirit on both sides. It 84 4sranged tha King AIbert should ma1k the council oi four tomorrow for 4 NAsentation q Belgian reparatiou Z AAN territoria claims. %S.Sxxx
 TWO SEAT$%AY
 ny As.scia1 S>t*
 Paris, April ST sl44Kf possio., ity that 2 the leag 2&3kions Vii have two seats. al e d at Brus sels. This plan is ksonsidefeo
 Although smajority6y 4He del leg te apparently favor GeneX{k}4x Albert strong appeal in bS Brusse. is influencing sentin the pal aee. offered by both 3 and tn Belgians may both bel ana Al ternate meetings ayra 4