Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1919 — TWO BILLIONS GIVEN BELGIUM [ARTICLE]

TWO BILLIONS GIVEN BELGIUM

Paris Paper Says “Bio Three” Have Agreed on First Indemnity. GERMANY UNDER SUSPICION War Council May Act on Foe Arrogance at Meeting at Versailles— Wilson Prepared to Compel Formation of League of Nations. Paris, Feb. 7.—The United States, Great Britain, France nod Italy have agreed, according to L’lntrausigeant. upon a $2,000,000,000 Indemnity due to Belgium, the first Installment to be paid immediately. Progress in the formation of the society of nations and making it operative is not as rapid as President Wilson and the American pence plenipotentiaries desire. There is an apprehension on the part of Mr. Wilson that unless swifter progress is made the president may have to depart before the full text of tlie society’s “charter” is agreed upoa This he does not want. Nor will he do it unless all Ills powers of persusasion prove Insufficient to bring the representatives of the other nations around to the American point of view.

To Pin Down Foe. The supreme war council will meet at Versailles to take measures to Impose on Germany “the full will of the allies,” says the Matin, because of the unwillingness of Germany to carry out the armfctice terms except under certain conditions. There has been a change in the attitude of Germany, according to the newspaper, and it is being manifested by arrogance toward the entente. The society of nations commission of the peace conference has virtually covered one-third of its task, it was oflScially announced. Agreement, the statement adds, has. been reached on the principles underlying the whole draft for a society of nations. At its session the commission discussed articles dealing with the motives behind the formation of a society, the objects which will safeguard the constitution of Its chief organs- and the qualifications for membership. Satisfy Small Powers. The commission issued an official statement saying it had decided that representatives of Czecho-Slovakla, Greece, Poland and Roumnnia would be associated in Its deliberations. This Is In keeping with the decision to give four additional places on the commission to the smaller powers. This gives tUem nine seats and the great powers ten. Positive steps for reconciling differences between the greater arid lesser nations are continuing. In addition to winning four additional pluces on the commission, f U seems probable that the lesser powers also will be granted adequate representation in the executive body of the society as well as the legislative sections. The smaller powers are insisting on being given a greater voice in the society. » British Offer Plan.

Last night’s session of the commission lasted from 8:30 until after 11 o’clock, the chief point discussed being the constitution of the executive body of the society. Wishing to meet the opposition of small countries' which have resented their having been excluded from the executive body, England proposed to give five representatives altogether to the five great powers, and two representaitves for smaller countries, making the membership seven in all. Premier Orlando of Italy approved the British suggestion, saying that he considered it would give fair representation to all countries, but Leon Bourgeois, speaking for France, opposed the plan, pointing out that the 19 small belligerents were entitled to larger representation. He found support for Ws assertion. rrincc Feisai, son of the king of the Hedjaz, and commander of the Arab forces in Damascus, presented the case of the Arabs to the supreme council in the afternoon. The council will reassemble this afternoon at 2:30 cf clock. Orlando Visits Wilson. President Wilson was in consultation with Vittorio Orlando, Italian premier, and with M. Trumbltch, the Ju-go-Slav foreign minister. His conference with Premier Orlando followed that with the Jugo-Slav representative. The indications were that an effort was being made by the president to mediate between the two nations for the purpose of aiding them to reach an agreement for the settlement of their conflicting claims regarding Albania, Flume, Istria and Da)a,mtia. It is understood that Premier Orlando presented whjit lie declared were Italy's minimum, irreducible claims with regard to the east coast of the Adrluticjand Flume.