Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-06
PEACE SESSIONS AT
PARIS PROMISE TO
BE WARM AFFAIRS

Paris, Jan. 5.-(By A. P.)-The IA
nous clock room in the French foreign
office, where Woodrow Wilson. Georges
Clemenceau and their fellow peace
makers prepared the treaty of YER
sallles, will assume the aspect of the
treaty-making days on Wednesday Of
this week when the allied and Ameri-
can diplomats and ministers meet there
TO settle some Of the conflicts of the
peace. And it is the general opinion
that the general discussions at issue
are likely to furnish few sessions
that may surpass in warmth some of
the hveliest meetings of the Big Five.
The demand of the American gov
eminent for share in the proceeds of
the Dawes plan as a means of paying
the American reparation claims and
the cost of the occupation of the Cob
LEM bridgehead will come up early in
the proceedings.
In view of the large attendance of
allied finance ministers and experts,
together with the representatives of
the Washington government it is ex-
rected that the conference will de-
eide to refer most of the questions
on its agenda to committees, hold
lrg full sessions Only when the de-
ee1iiS VI tlle pTODle'uS nave Deen
threShed out in committees.
A settlement of the accounts of
the Ruhr occupation will take up
considerable time, as the accounting
by France and Belgium is compli-
Gated by controversy with Great
|, Britain over how much of the pro-
ceeds of that occupation should be
applied toward paying its expenses
Srif ic1,
should be met up to a certain limit
from deliveries in kind: but they in
sist that no money be paid for that
purpose and that allowances be
limited to the excess of the occupa-
ton costs over the ordinary expenses
of maintaining the same number of
men in home garrisons. The
French want the entire cost paid
from the proceeds.
The question will be taken up in
connection with general revision of
the lump sums fixed for the military
occupatino of the Rhineland The
French will ask that no limit be put
upon the number of men maintained
in this territory.
The conference will also be called
upon to fix the costs of the various
commissions operating under the
Dawes plan as we'll as the PREPARATION
commissions expenses, which will be
greatly reduced next year. 1t is
thought limit will be put on the
allowances granted these commits
sions. so as to check any tendency
+ later to swell the staffs and increase
expenses.
One Of the most delicate tasks of
the conference will be to demand that
some of the allies refund amounts
received on Preparations accounts in
excess of their shares.
Italy and Jugo-Slavia, for example,
are said to have had in kind products
worth considerably more than the
amounts due them. France will put in
claim for back pay. as her receipts
have fallen somewhat below the per-
centage allotted her at the Spa con-
ference.
American reparatIon claims are esti-
mated at s350000,000 for purposes of
a discussion of the American demand
for share in the Dawes plan receipts,
this amount. with the 255.000,0O0
which the American occupation cost,
brings the total claim of the United
States to sos. 100000. The American
demonstration will have the support Of
France, Italy and Belgium.