Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-09
Mr.. POLK ATTENDS
HIS LAST SESSION
OF PEACE COUNCIL
Continuation of Body Which
Handled Problems at
Paris Unsettled.
By the Associated Press.

by Inc Associated Hfess.
PARIS. December 9.-The supreme
council at today's session. the last be-
fore the departure of it's American
member. Undersecretary of State
Polk, failed to settle the question of
the continuation of the supreme war
council. The consent of the United
States has not been given to the origi-
nal plan. The question now will be re-
ferred direct to the various govern
mentS.
Ambassador Wallace will sit in such
meetings of the supreme council as
may be held to deal with the Hun
garian peace treaty and other unfin-
ished business, but will have no initial
authority to act. He will report the
proceedings to Washington and act on
instructions received from there.
At the close of the councils session
Premier Clemenceau expressed regret
over Mr.. Folks departure.
Disposal of Light Warships.
The supreme council decided today
the principles on which light German
warships will be divided among the
smaller powers for coast defense pur-
poses. The council approved the re-
port of naval experts concerning the
allotment of material resulting from
demolition of the German fleet. The
destruction of the German ships will
be carried out by the powers to which
they are allotted, but the time for
their destruction will be prolonged
The council decided that Turkeys
gold reserve now in Berlin shall be
transferred to Paris.
Germans Consider Future Course.
Germany's delegation at Versailles
today is considering what is looked
upon as the last word of the supreme
council Of the peace conference rela-
tive to the signing of the protocol
of the treaty of peace.
Elimination of the clause providing
for coercion by the allies in case of
Germany's failure to execute the
treaty's provisions and alteration Of
the claim for indemnity for German
warships sunk at Scapa Flow are
the most important concessions made
by the council in its note delivered
last night. Economic effects of the
dock and harbor machinery by way
of indemnity will be the subject OF
an inquiry to be conducted by the
reparations commission. At the same
time, however. the council places on
Germany responsibility for the sink
fleet.
Demands Which Are Rejected.
German demands for modification
of the treaty clauses calling for the
surrender of Germans charged with
violations of the laws of warfare, as
well as those dealing with the re-
patriation of prisoners of war. are
rejected. The status of America in
relation to the treaty is held not to
alter the effectiveness of the pact
and German objections along this line
are described as pretended rights"
Germany is fold it is vain to seek
to delay" the operation of the treaty
and that the allies await the sigma
ture of the protocol without further
loss of time.
Rumanfa May Sign Today.
Rumania is expected to become a
party to the peace treaties with Aus
tria and Bulgaria today. Her pleni-
potentiaries, it is stated. will sign
the treaty in connection with the
Austrian pact. providing for the pro-
lection of racial minorities. and will
attach their signatures to the Bull
garian treaty.