NEWS OF THE WEEK.
ITIHE Allies in Paris have reconsidered the Peace terms in
the light of the German reply. It is said that they have modified the Treaty in several places. They will either fix at once the total sum to be paid by Germany as reparation or will agree to define it before 1921. They wilt admit Germany to the League of Nations at an earlier date than was first con- templated. They will take pMbiscites in the mixed Polish and German districts, such as Upper Silesia, before delimiting the new frontier of Poland. We take these forecasts from the Times. Other guesses are less plausible. The most absurd of all was a rumour that the Allies would return South-West Africa to Germany with a mandate, although German misrule was perhaps seen at its worst in that country. We feel sure that the revised terms will prove to be in all essentials the same as before. The Allies took SO long to prepare their demands that they could have no valid reason for altering the Treaty materially at this stage. Before this paper ii pub- lished the enemy will, it is said, be in possession of the Allies' final terms, which he must accept or reject within a week. There need be no doubt of his decision. He will protest noisily to the last moment, but he will sign the Treaty.
