Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1919 — PEACEWORKNOW NEARCOMPLETION [ARTICLE]

PEACEWORKNOW NEARCOMPLETION

Monroe Doctrine Is 0. K.'d by the Allies; Section Voted ; Into League. SAAR VALLEY RULE SETTLED France Is Given Economic Control of t’oal Fields for 15 Years— Plebiscite Will Then Be Taken — J Other Questions Discussed. Paris, April 11.—The league of nations commission adopted u new sec- • tion to the covenant apecifially providing that the Monroe doctrine Is not to be affected by the provisions of the covenant. London,. April 11.—The British peace delegates at Paris have received a royal warrant empowering them to sign peace, It was announced here. Thia was taken to Indicate that tho peace work Is rapidly approaching its close and caused a new wave of optimism in public opinion here. Premier Lloyd George hopes to return to London next Tuesday and tex make a statement regarding the peace conference in the house of commons on Wednesday. This announcement was made in the house by Edward Shortt, home secretory. League Rules Saar Valley. Paris, April 11. —Prevision that ths league of nations shall exercise general supervision of the Saar valley for a period of 15 years was contained In the settlement of the Saar problem effected Wednesday by the council of four. This Important change In the plan for the political administration of the region became known here. At the end of the 15-year period p plebiscite will be taken to determine the wishes of the Inhabitants regarding the future form of government. The change was mude to avoid annexatlon and to establish the principle of self-determination. France Wins Coal Fleldf. France Is given economic control of .the coal fields of the Saar valley up to an amount to recompense her for the losses sustained from German oc- > cupatlon of the coal fields of northern France. I The supremo economic council discussed question of raising the blockade of Qermiin-Aust ria and the Adriatic; the reopening of commercial relations with Esthonla, Letvla and Lithuania; the removal of restrictions on trade with Poland and the reopening of Swiss traffic on the Rhine. It was decided to terminate the allied maritime transport council and absorb Its functions In those of thd supreme economic council. Resolutions were adopted with reference to the supply of rolling stock for the railways of Roumnnia, Poland nnd Czechoslovakia and as to the desirability of facilitating regular mall and telegraphic communication to and from the liberated countries. The question of the Italian coal supply also was considered. The coal fields of the Teschen district In dispute between Czechoslovakia and Poland present one of the most difficult problems. Both nationalities claim that the district Is essential to their development

Racial Lines Difficult. Of the total population of 600,000 about one-third are Czecho-Slovaks and the remainder Poles, but if the district were divided on racial lines the industrial district and the railways would be split so as to be of little value to either country. The Teschen mines are declared to provide the only coking coal available for Czecho-Slovakla, and, consequently, her Industries canot live without them her representatives claim. War„nw is supplied with gas from the Teschen fields and is dependent upon them for the light, heat and power for the city. Poland, It Is stated, has other coking fields, but has not developed them. * Neither the Poles nor the Czechoslovaks have shown themselves willing to accept a compromise which would deprive them of the ownership of the coal fields.