Casper Daily Tribune

Reparations Division and Adriatic Dispute Are Only Serious Problems Remaining, Report
(By Associated Press.)

Prospects of peace have suddenly become brighter as the result of agreements reached by the council of four at Paris, announcements from which indicate that within a short time the war-worn world will begin to return to something like normal international conditions. On April 25. which will be 165 days after the last gun of the great war was fired, allied and German delegates will gather at Versailles to discuss the treaty.

A statement by President Wilson last night indicated that the treaty with Germany would be completed in a very short time and that, meanwhile, settlement of conflicting claims of Italy and Jugo-Slavia to territory on the eastern shore of the Adriatic would be given preferential consideration.

Probably the allies of germany will be called to Versailles almost immediately after the German delegates have received the allied terms and have passed upon them.

Germany, by the terms of the treaty, will be called upon to pay 100 billion gold marks, which at the pre-war rate of exchange would be equivalent to $23,820,000,000.

PARIS. April 15.-The council of four today considered the Adriatic question. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Balfour took the place of Lloyd George, who went to London.

France and Britain Seek 85 Per Cent of the Total Amount; Germans to Pay on Five Counts
(By Associated Press.)

PARIS, April 15. -The problem of reparation settlements still has troublesome times before it in connection with the question of distribution of the war indemnity. The smaller powers are still to be heard relative to their shares of the reparation fund. Particularly Belgium, the claims of which are entitled to first consideration under pre-conference pledges.

A tentative scheme of distribution which Great Britain and France advanced apportions between 80 and 90 per cent, probably 85 per cent of the total sum realized, to these big powers, leaving perhaps 15 per cent to satisfy the demands of Belgium, Italy, Serbia, Rumania, Russia and others.

It is suggested by experts on the reparation commission, that Rumania, Serbia and other nations have received reparations through the acquisition of territory, but this reasoning will scarcely apply to Belgium.

There is no announcement regarding the classes of damages for which Germany will be required to pay. It is stated that the five categories adopted comprise reparation for actual damage to life and property; pensions for the crippled and families of slain soldiers; compensation for enforced labor exacted from the inhabitants of occupied regions; remuneration for illegally exacted labor from prisoners: and payment for German requisitions in occupied territories.

The supreme economic council is considering the question of permitting Germany to have certain raw materials before the peace treaty becomes effective, with revision of blockade regulations to that extent, and it is understood that prospects are good for favorable action.

The economic council members are also considering a plan for the conservation of Italy's coal supply.