New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Supreme Council Rusl1es
Decision of Damages for
Scapa Flow Sinkings to
Expedite Final Action
Reply to Germany Firm
Russian and Hungarian Pacts
Yet To Be Settled; Quick
Decisions Are Expected

PARIS, Dec. 22.-The Supreme
Council, it became known to-day, is
making every effort to reach an agree
ment with Germany on the question OF
reparaton for the sinking Of the Ger
man fleet at Scapa Flow so that the
protocol may be signed and ratifications
of the Treaty of Versailles exchanged
before Christmas.
The question was up during long
and busy IS, asxi0n n Of the council a this
replying to the last communications of
the German representatives were con-
sidered.
A second meeting was held in the
evening, and aftcrward it became
known that the heads of the Allied DEL
egations had decided upon the text Of
the reply Of the Allies to the last Ger
man note concerning clauses in the
armistice which have not been carried
out, and the compensation demanded
for the sinking Of the German vessels.
The note will be presented to morrow
morning. 1t is firm in tone and makes
known to Germany what precisely the
Allies will require of her.
AttdllS 4<+dIly Competed
Very few details now remain to be
disposed OF by the council to clear up
all The work of the peace conference
with the exccptiop of the Hungarian
and Turkish treaties and the Russian
situation.
1t was thought to-day that all else
might be disposed Of in time to permit
The celebration of Christmas in a state
OF effective peace with Germany, un-
less that nation maintains certain of
her objections to the final terms after
receiving the councils note.
1t was pointed out That a consider
able obstacle to a speedy final ratific ca
ton the Versailles treaty exists in
the fact that the commission headed
by General Lerond is net yet ready to
meet and prepare for carrying out the
terms of the treaty. 1t is this COM
mission which must arrange for the
transportation Of Allied troops to re-
place German forces in territory sub
ject TO transfer Of allegiance in order
TO prevent trouble and preserve order.
Arrangements to this end it is ex-
pected. will take some timc, and the
possibility Of making the treaty cffec-
tive virtually at once depends upon
whether the Allies will want to take
any chances Of leaving these territories
without protection.
Serbia's Demand Discussed
SeIoia's demand for priority to the
amount to $500, 600, 900 francs in repa-
rations, on the same footing as that
accorded Belgium by the Supreme Coun-
GILL was discussed by that body at its
session tnis morning. but no decision
vas rea ehed 1t appeared to be the
feeling that thls was g. question Tor the
Reparations Commission TO dispose or
after the treaties Of Versailles and St.
German mad been put into effect.
All the powers interested except
Rumania having concurred in the allot-
ment for distribution of the rollins
stock Oh the RAILWAYS Of the old Austro-
Hungarian Empire, the council decided
TO send a note to Rumania asking her
to signify her acceptance.
Abandonment Of t,:c British plan
guaranteeing the neutrality Of Belgium
for five years on the part of the All
Parsien,' which says the French and
British govarnmcnts are seeking to
reach Al agreement which will give
entire satisfaction to Belgium.
VIII Confer With Curzon
The visit to London of General
Bertheiot, political director of the For
egn Office. it is learned to-day from,
an authoritative source, is being made
in order 10 confer with Earl Curzon
thc British Foreign Secretary, and pre-
pare fov a discussion of tho Eastern
question when the peace conference
meets again.
1t was said to-day that France and
Great Britain are not entirely in ac-
cord as to the fate of Constantinople
Great Britain desiring to take the city
entirely out of the hands of the Turks,
wi','e France fayors leaving the Turks
III possession under the control of tn.
Allies.