PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16427, 22 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

THE OPENING SESSION

M. POINCARE'S ADDRESS

(By Cable.—Press Association. —CopyxixW-) (,£.U{nraiifl.n and X.-. Cable Aasociatk»_»v PARIS, January 18. Mr Fraser, correspondent oi the Australian Press Association, says tliat at the opening of tho Conlerence 31. Poincare made a passing reference to Germany's eii'ort to detach England. The latter held by her ideas of justice, and Great Britain and her Dominions engaged in the conflict. These Dominions accomplished, with Groat. Britain, prodigious efforts t-o bring the war to a triumphant termination. 31. Poincare proceeded to pay a * ri ~ bute to other nations and countries, with a special eulogium on President Wilson and America's intervention. This was a great political and military event. Thoy camo t-o Europe to help to save civilisation. "We have gained a complete victory," he said, '"over a powerful enemv who, in order _ to prevent irremediable disaster, obtained an armistice. We are now relieved from the danger of an Imperialistic conquest, and are now met to deal out justice in mattors of territory, finance, and economically, in such a way as will not encourage a recurrence of such crime. Nations must not be exposed to aggressions and menaces. The conference must seek to introduce the greatest possible harmony in the world. Immortal glory will attach to all nations and men who collaborate in j this noble task." M. Poincaro concluded: "I leave you now to your grave deliberations, and declare the Conference of Paris opened." RESPONSIBILITY - ™!*. THE WAR. LONDON, January 18. 31. Poincare, in opening the Peace Conference, stated that, after the enormous sacrifices for which France had not the slightest responsibility, the delegates of the Great Powers had assembled to impose justice on those guilty of unprecedented crime. They had all the qualitios for the establishment of a just peace, and humanity had confidence that they would not violate its rights. They possessed all the information proving who originated tho drama which had agitated the world. The Central Empires had secietly invented odious pretexts to pass over Serbia's body to the East, and through Belgium to Franco's heart. THE INDEMNITY QUESTION. LONDON, January 17. The special Paris correspondent of the "Morning Post" states that divergences of opinion at the Conference now centre round Germany and the indemnity question, which will cause the greatest difficulty. President Wilson has always favoured payment by Germany for damage caused by tho war, but he is unwilling to acquiesce to an indemnity in addition. The English delegates more or less agreed with President "Wilson on this point, but France hiis drawn up a careful account of her losses from every sourco, and will shortly present the bill. It is understood that the Conference will not discuss the freedom of the seas. It is beliovod that China is protesting at having only two seats. Five delegates have arrived, including the Foreign Minister. The Chinese deny the Japanese Government's recent statoment that Chinese and Japanese interests will be represented in common.

(United Service.) (Received January 21st, 11.45 p.m.) PARIS, January 18. It is understood that Groat Britain lias asked Mr W. M. Hughes to take chargo of the whole indemnity question for the Empiro. It is semi-officially announced that the French colonies ivill bo represented at the Conference, similarly to the British. JAPAN'S ATTITUDE. LONDON, January 17. Baron Makino, one of Japan's peace delegates, has arrived at Liverpool. He 6aid the Japanese Were in sympathy and hearty agreement with their Allies in England, America, and Europe, on the broad principles laid down for the Conference. Japan -had lived on the outer edge of the maelstrom, and knew little of its horrors, but was proud of her Allies. Japan did not seek for reward but looked forward with confidence to a brighter and better future. THE KAISER INDICTED. (Rcutor'* Telegrams.) (Received January 21st. 10.15 p.m.) PARIS, January 20. An official bulletin issued by the Conference gives the report upon the Kaiser's responsibility for the war by the jurists mentioned, namely, M. L'Arnaud Doyen, a member of the Faculty of Law, and M. Do La Praddela, Professor of International Law, Paris University. The report states that the Kaiser is answerable in his own person, both in penal and in civil law, for the war, and the crimes committed by the armod forces under his command. The Kaiser's position is similar to the directors of a public company, who can be punished by criminal law. The whole position of the German Nation is similar to that of the shareholders. The Kaiser cannot escape responsibility, because the German Constitution gives him alone the power of decision. The German Sovereign depends solely upon God and the sword. The Kaiser, in speeches mado by him, frequently expressed this view of his authority, and according to the Constitution, the Kaiser declares war in the name of the Confederacy of which Prussia is the dominant partner, and the Kaiser was tho King of Prussia. Tho Jurists quote a letter, showing that the Kaiser ordered and desired ferocious methocjs of warfare. Tho Kaiser early in the war wrote to the Emperor of Austria, stating that "everything must bo put to lire and sword. Men, women, children, even old men, must be slaughtered, and no house or tree left standing. With these methods of terrorism, which alone are capable of affccting a people so degenerate as the French, the war will be over in two months." The report comments that thus the Kaiser incurred personal penal responsibility, to which must be added tho civil responsibility of the German Empire. Both are responsible, the Empire at civil law, and tho Kaiser at penal and civil law, according to most elementary rules of right. Finally, the Jurists quote Vattol, that a prince guihv of an unjust war is liable to personal penalties, if such are necessary as an example for the security of the injured party, and for the security of human socicty. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 22nd, 1.39 a.m.) PARIS, January 20. Tho French Jurists presented to tho delegates their report on the Kaisor's culpability. After pleading for the Kaiser's extradition,-and condign jijtn-

isliment, tlie report adds: —The Kaisor should be judged by an international court forming the principal department of a Leaguo of Nations. RUSSIAN REPRESENTATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received January 21st, 8.45 p.m.) PARIS, January 13. It is expected that the Peace Conference will consult the Russian representatives now in Paris. Tho French Government adheres to its decision to have no dealings 'with the Bolshevist Government, but other countries hope to find a way of including it in the I deliberations without departing from thoir abhorrent attitude towards the Bolshevists' terrorism. (Received January 22nd, 1.30 a.m.) PAIIL?, January 20. Mr A. J. Fraser states that thoro was no formal meeting of the Conference to-day, the Allied Premiers, Foreign 'Ministers, and President "Wilson conferring on tho Russian situation. Tho Council on Russian National and Democratic Conditions, in a Note to M. Pichon, approve the exclusion of Lenin-Trotsky representatives from the Conference, declaring that any compromise with Bolshevism would bo capitulation to a worse scourge than Gorman militarism. GERMAN DELEGATION. ZURICH, January 17. Munich papers state that the Gorman delegates to tho Peace Conference will bo Prince Schnowsky, Count Brockdorff, Count Arco, and the Socialist, Horr Kautsky: (Recoired Januarv 21st. 8.45 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, January 18. Speaking at Cassel, Horr Schneidemann said that he and Count Brockdorff would be the leadors of the German peace delegation. It was essential that ho should participate in ordor to show the world that democracy was now Germany's watchword. GREEKS CLAIM THRACE. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received January 22nd, 1.30 a.m.) PARIS, January 20. M. Venizelos, in an interview by "Lg Temps," said that Greeco claimed Thraco. He admitted that this would deprive Bulgaria of access to the iEgean, but Bulgaria's economic interests wero not essential ehough to induce Greece to eternally suffer the domination of insatiable neighbours. M. Venizelos said that in his opinion Constantinople should fro intornationalised, and all the Eastern Mediterranean islands should bo returned to Greece. AUSTRALIA MILITANT. (United Service.) (Received January 22nd, 1.30 a.m.) PARIS, January 20. Considerable agitation has been caused in certain quarters by an outspoken statement by Mr W. M. Hughes. In an interview with an American paper ho said: "If we don't got fair treatment concerning the Pacific Islands, I will not hesitate to appeal to public opinion in Allied countries. The Japanese are a highly intelligent people, but their ways are not our ways. We would regard with suspicion any. geographical advance by Japan towards Australia."

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. PARIS, January 19. Tlio Dominion Premiers and Mr Lloyd George hold a series of conferences, and reached an agreement regarding tho British, attitude towards the question of the Freedom of the Seas. The Peace Conference debated the Russian situation, M. Noulens addressing the delegates on the conditions ai Archangel. At the next session the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs M. Scavcnius, who has returned from Petrograd, will spoak. RESTRICTIONS ON NEWS. LONDON, January 17. The main incident which led to M. Clcmenceau's demand for restrictions Ofi correspondents at Versailles, arosO from impudent cablegrams to New York papers regarding differences which, were non-existent. To-day's conference was chiefly devoted to Russian expeditions. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. WILSON TO UNFOLD SCHEME. t PARIS, January 19. Mr A.J. Fraser, correspondent of the Australian Press Association, says it is understood on good authority that President Wilson will unfold a concrete scheme for the Leaguo of Nations, with a view to enabling men like Lord Robert Cecil, General Smuts, and M. Bourgeois, to draw up a definite constitution. President Wilson's scheme embodies many important British features, and generally proceeds along tho lines suggested by General Smuts. The AraeI rican scheme provides for arbitration, j with compulsory measures, to prevent lan outbreak of war. Germany and Russia will be taken in when they become stabilised. Tho League will afford every possible aid to both nations. Tho President feels that the peace of Europe is useless with half of Europe still ablaze. It is understood that Mr Lloyd George agrees with many of President Wilson's proposals. SOLID FOUNDATION LAID. PARTS, January 19. The Ponce Conference, as indicated by M. Clemonceau, will devote its early sittings to a discussion of a League of Nations. During the past week n. great deal of work has been accomplished in this direction, and something like a practical scheme has been evolved, only requiring tho finishing touch of the full Conference. During these preliminary discussions a sense of disappointment, was folt- in certain quarters with President Wilson's purely academic views on tho subject. Some of the delegations optimistically expected something like a. clear-cut scheme from President Wilson, but instead they got a nebulous, idealistic conception. Tt is believed, however, that conversations between the Allied Powers have resulted in a solid basis being laid for the superstructure. GERMANY'S SUPPORT. BETUJN, January 17. Dr. Self, in a speech in Westphalia, advocated n Lpneiie of Xations on Pree'dent Wilsoi's plan. ITe expressed the hepe that Germany would at loast recover a part of hor colonies.