COLOSSAL BILL

PARIS, Wednesday.– The Journal says at the first of the two meetings held yesterday by the Council of Four, the question of the military occupation of the left bank of the Rhine was discussed, and apparently an agreement was reached regarding the occupation of the region for 15 years, with a reduction every five years in the extent of the occupied zone. The army of occupation, the Journal continues, will be an international one at first, but within a very short time it will be supplied only by France and Belgium. The Journal also declares that the terms of the Territorial Commission has settled the problem of the districts of Silesia and Teschen, which were claimed by Poland on the ground of history and nationalities, and by the Czecho-Slovaks on the ground of economic interest, in a sense favourable to the Government of Prague.

The Journal also reports details regarding the work of the sub-commission which is inquiring into the financial capacity and means of payment of Germany. The commission estimates the actual assets in gold, silver, and securities available within the period of eighteen months to two years at 20 milliards of marks, of which 3,200 millions are in cash. Beginning from January 1, 1921, when an improvement in the industrial condition and credit of the enemy is expected, the annual payments to be made by Germany will increase progressively, being specially determined in each case by the Inter-Allied Commission.

SOLDIER CHARGED AT NEWPORT

A REMARKABLE story was told to Newport magistrates on Wednesday, when Aubrey Wright, sergeant in the Canadian Field Artillery, was charged with stealing three parcels from the Great Western Railway Station platform, value £16, on Tuesday night. He was further charged with being and absentee from his regiment. Wright pleaded not guilty and elected to be summarily dealt with.

Arthur Perry Evans, railway shunter, said he saw the accused coming along the platform with three parcels under his arms. He noticed that they bore the label of the company and informed Inspector Kew.

Detective Cox, Newport Borough Police, said when called to the station he saw the prisoner sitting down in the waiting room with the three parcels by his side. He kepy him under observation until the London train arrived, when he entered a compartment, put the parcels on the rack, and sat down. When witnesses questioned him he said a lady had asked him to put the parcels on the train for her.

The accused repeated this statement to the bench. Inspector Kew said he had Wright under observation for more than an hour and saw no woman with him.

The accused was remanded for a week for inquiries to be made from the authorities, and with regard to his other statements.

AMSTERDAM BOMBS

GREAT excitement prevailed in Amsterdam last night when it was announced a number of bombs had been discovered in the house of a Dutch Bolshevik. The man, who is well known for his anarchist utterances, had long been under observation. During the inquiry that followed, the man declared the bombs were to have been used when the day of retaliation for the oppressed proletariat had dawned.