PEACE CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16420, 14 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONFERENCE.

| preliminary meetings. I (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and Ctibl© Association*) I PARIS, January 0. ' Tho preliminary Inter-Allied Conference, fixed for January Dth, was postponed until Mr Lloyd George's arrival. M. Clemcnceau confers with President "Wilson and Colonel House ou January 10th. The Dominions will bo represented by a small deputation at the preliminary meeting, but they aro expected to claim and be granted individual representation as smnll nations at tho ultimato Peaco Conference. MR LLOYD GEORGE IN PARIS. PARIS, January 12. Mr Lloyd Georgo and Mr W. M. Hughes intra arrived. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. VIEWS OF GENERAL SMUTS. LONDON, January 10. General Smuts lias iesuvd an important pamphlet upon the portion and constitution, of tiie League of Nations, lio considers that tho Peace Conference should regard itself as tho lirst meeting of the league. Tlie prime principle of tho settlement should be that, apart from Alsace and Lorraine and the Gorman colon! «, there should be no annexation of -«»»»torii\s by any victorious Estates. .riobably i> inland, Poland, Czocho-Slovakia, and Jugo-Slavia will be capable of becoming independent States immediately, but Trans-Caucasia, Mesopotamia, Lebanon, and Syria wiil probably require tho guiding hand of some external authority. Other countries, such as Palestine and Armenia, should bo controlled by tho League of Nations, which may bo properly regarded as tho successor of tho German, Austrian, Russian, and Turkish Empires, which failed becauso they were founded on tho exploitation of weaker nationalities. The league must control, not directly, but by nominating a particular State, to act on its behalf. Tho nomination should be subject to the condition that tho peoplo in question linvo the right to choose tlio Power which they prefer should havo tho mandatory duty, though this cannot bo applied to cases where it is impossible to consult tbo country. In forming the leaguo, there are two extremes to bo avoided— tho supcr-Stato and a more debating society. The leaguo must bo practical and effective as a system of world government. t Tho council should bo email, composed of' fivo permanent members, nominated by the British Empiro, France, Italy, tho United Stntes, and Japan. When Germany has a stable, democratic Government she may nominate .another permanent member. To these should bo added four additional members chosen from a panel representing tho lesser Powers, such as Spain, Hungary, and Serbia, whoso nominees would servo in> rotation. There would thus bo 10 members of the. council, which would resemble the Versailles Council. No resolution of tho Council should bo valid unless passed by more than a two-thirds, ma.iority. General Smuta .is of opinion that conscription is the taproot of militarism f and unless it is cut our labours will bt>' in vain. Members of tho League must! bind themselVas nejt to pp to war with each other until tho Council hasarbitrated on the dispute. This prohibition must bo guaranteed by forco, iit. addition to am economic and financial 1 boycott. ANGLO-AMERICAN VIEWS. PARIS, January 10. The impression is growing hero that President Wilson and the American Peaco delegation are giving increased attention. to tho British plans for the Leaguo of Nations, which may bo finally adopted. Lord Robert Cecil, who has been the British authority on tho Leaguo of Nations, is now constantly conferring with the American delegation. It is felt that Lord Cocil's views closely coincide with thoso of President Wilson. RUSSIAN REPRESENTATION, (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.), (Received Jnmmrv 14th. 1.15 a.m.) NEW Y<TRK, January 13. The presence of Russian delegates ati the Peaco Conference will be considered by tho Groat Powers. SUPREME WAR COUNCIL. (Received January 14th, 1.16 a.m.) LONDON, January 12. The Supreme War Council met in Paris on tho afternoon of January 12th, and considered various matters. Marshal Foch raised' the question of a renewal of the armistice. President Wilson, Mr Uoyd Georgo, M. Clemonceau, Signor Orlando, M. Piohon, Baron Sonnino, Mr R. Lansing, and Mr A. J. Balfour were present. Marshal Foch, General Bliss, and General Sir Henry Wilson attended during part of the proceedings. An informal conference was heldi afterwards, at -which views were ex-i changed regarding procedure and othefl questions connected with, future peaod • conferences.