PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16432, 28 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

COLONIAL QUESTIONS. (By Cable.—Pr©s« Association.—Copyright.! lUnitcd Service.) PARIS, January 24. Mr Keith Murdoch states that, Mr Hushes, Mr Massev, and General Smuts wero called before the Conference* to state the case against the neutralisation of the islands south of the Equator, and of (South-West Africa. There is no question of any {.ierman colony boing returned, but America wishes the neutralisation of all, except South-West Africa. The Dominions urged annexation, and are assured of French and Italian support. Mr Lloyd George epitomised the British views, mentioning tho strategical claims of Australia and Now Zealand, and urged that these young and democratic nations should be given tho greatest possible security consonant with justice, which in theso cases was unchallenged. Mr Hughes was then called on to deal with the Pacific. With tho aid of a map of the Pacific he stated Australia's case, enforcing the strategical aspect. Ho said the Powers holding one group should hold all, for each group was a stepping-stono, and was strategically connected with the next. He declared that the neutralisation of Now Guinea was the same as tho neutralisation of Australia, for any Great Power controlling New Guinea would control Australia. Australia could not have any great Power threatening her from a commanding position in the Pacific. General Smuts followed with a good case for South-West Africa, not claiming East Africa. Mr Masspy dealt with Samoa, declaring that New Zealand would nover givo it tip to Germany. Ho protested against any foreign Power being .posted strategically on New Zealand's flnnk, even as mandatory undor tho Leaguo of Nations, in an island won by New Zca- ! land's efforts. -Air Hughes has been appointed chairman of tho Commission on Repatriation. Sir Robert Borden, who was asked to servo on the Commission, is proceeding to Princes Island. General Botha is a member of tho Commission to Poland. state that there is a growing fooling in favour of the appointment of sub-committees of experts to consider questions separately, and Inter to report to tho Conference, thereby facilitating prompt decisions. MONTREAL, January 24. Mr Lloyd George had a private talk with the Japanese Peace delegates. It is suggested that ho is anxious to appease. Japan, and to acccdo to her domands in the Pacific. Tho Japanese aro_ under tho impression that the United States favours Australia's demands regarding the Islands. Not only Mr Lloyd Gonrgo, but other Bri- J tish statesmen, appear dissatisfied with > Mr Hughes's statements that Austra- ,

j lia must have the islands. l LONDON, January 24th (0.50 p.m.) 1 The Hi<jh Commissioner reports: — " Somewhat unexpectedly matters of [ great importance to the Dominions , came before the Council of the Allied > Powers on Friday. Mr Lloyd George oponed with a statement in respect of the captured German colonies. Mr Hughes stated the case for Australia, General Smuts for South Africa, and •Mr Massey for New Zealand. It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the Conference that a good case had been made out. Japan and America have yet to be heard. Mr Massey on Friday was the guest of the Earl and Countess of Derby at luncheon at the British. Embassy. A FRENCH VIEW. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 27th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 25. Mr A. J. Fraser, writing from Paris, says the "Echo de Paris," commenting on the islands question, declares that it should not be difficult to reach a decision upon it. Australia and New Zealand have spent milliards of francs in tho common cause. The paper fails to understand the mentality of those who would prevent the immediate acceptance of the colonial view, and declares that Mr Lloyd George has long shared these views. Mr Hughes and Mr Massey have made a just claim. The writer objects to the League of Nations undertaking the administration of the Pacific Islands, as international I administration has always proved a failure. NEUTRALISATION FAVOURED BY AMERICA. (Unit«d Service.) (Received January 28th, 12.45 a.m.) PARIS., January 25. Mr Iveith Murdoch says: "At Ameri- i can headquarters I gathered the following clear, unquestionable facts con- j cerning America's attitude. Mr "\Vil- : son favours the neutralisation, of all < former German possessions in the Pacific under a British mandate, which i he is willing should be transferred to < Australia. He does not wish to see < Japan astride the Pacific. He thinks i Japan has no moral claim or strategi- 1 cal need for the islands. He docs not J seo why Japan wants the Ladrones, Carolines, or Marshalls, bccause they i are practically useless for colonising, \ therefore the desire must be for mere i expansion of power and influence in the c 1 acific. Mr Wilson is likely to make e a strong fight against this. It must be understood there is no certainty t that Britain will secure a general man- jj date regarding the Pacific, therefor© t Australia's objections to neutralisation D iro based on the possibility of another a Power stepping in." THE RUSSIAN RESOLUTION. f ( PRESS COMMENTS. al (Australian and N.Z.. C&ble Association^ . LONDON, January 24. s : <tv-- ans correspondent of. tho Daily Express" says that President t] iVilson evidently drafted the Confer- L nco's Russian resolution, but it really ta '•p a great personal triumph for Mr Jt iloyd George, inasmuch as it was the irmcipal British suggestion in Decern- 83 or, which M. Pichcn categorically dalined. Tho Conference has taken tho U] Intish view, namely, that although the th •oviet. is not the sort of Government f i p he Allies approve, nevertheless after TV fteen months its existenco must bo dmitted. ur The _ Paris correspondent of the m; Evening Standard" states there is an n understanding at the Conference lat, if the Bolshevists take up a de- i ant attitude towards the Allies, armad itervention will bo considered. Tho w Hies must give active military aid to sci oland if the Bolshevists advance. Marla! Foch has to Poland in order > prepare for the contingency. If the ussian difficulty is arranged, the sign- ne ' g of peace should come in May. pei Although, there is some scepticism, as ie newspapers generally are hopeful : good results from the Conference's ' , ussian decision. On the other hand, ' tIK ie ''Morning Post" bitterly attacks the | hai •oposals. I S oc The "Daily Telegraph" says it is a pei ;ry questionable step, and places tho . hole Conference in the ambiguous isition of initiating overtures with the tor Dlshevists. The proposal is hazardous, cause it gives small chances of use- pe<

fulness and violates ethical stand and because it seems to exonerate guilty. The '"Daily News'' snVs the Fi doctrine that it is the duty of ui Europe to stamp out Bolshevism is cisolv the argument used by oppoi to the French Revolution. If for used in Russia it will mean the ru tho hopes of a League of Nations. A wireless message has been world-wide l>y the Powers at the I Conference intimating that the Co ' ence is deeply disturbed to hear o stances of armed fore-") being use j many parts of Europe and in tne Ea gain possession of territory. The sngo states that those using forco create presumption that they d th« justice and validity of their chi and indicate distrust in the Peace ' ference. If th«?y expect justice must refrain from force, and placo 1 claims in the hands of the Confevem (Australian und X.2. Cable Associatic (Received January 28th, 12.25 a.n PARIS, January 2 Mr A. J. Fraser states that Frc official .circles believe the Peace liminarios will be ready for subniis to the French Chamber in tho la part of March. M. Pichon states that no offi reply has yet been received from Bolshevist Government, though un eiai reports record a somewhat rt tant acceptance of the invitation t conference at Princes Island, in Sea of Marmora. Bolshevists stress difficulty of their delegates reacb the Sea of Marmora. 31. Pichon, questioned on tho op sition to the Russian proposals by French Press, said he thought it ' based on the assumption that tho rangements meant the recognition tho Bolshevist Government. That incorrect. Thero was no intentior recognising the Government. It i merely hoped a conference would 1' to tho cessation of internecino st and permit tho stabilisation of Rus: INVITATION DECLINED. LONDON. January 2*l The Paris correspondent- of tho*"Di Telegraph" states that the Bolshov havo refused tho invitation to tho Pe Conference. LABOUR PROBLEMS. LONDON, January 24 The Paris correspondent of "Morning Post" states that the Pe Conference will consider labour pr lems on January 25th. The Dominii will bo given the right, to present tli Jwn cases, but it is likely that tl will agree to be represented by the E tish case, seeing tliat Dominion affn tvero considered in drawing it up. 1 Dominions have already made progr rogardinn: tho coloured labour questii Tho Conference will not attempt standardise the hours and wages labour. Sir George Lansbury, the wcll-kno-Labourite, interviewed, said ho fou the Americans most sympathetic to 1 hour's demands, and "was hopeful ti tho Conference would accept a reast able Labour charter. , Ho fears oi breaks of Bolshevism in England a Franco unless the Tuling classes Ice their pledge that tho world shall be better place for tho workers. . A LEAGUE OF NATIONS. ESTABLISHMENT AGREED TO. (Australian and N./i. Cablo Association.] (Received January 27th, 11.5 p.m.) PARIS, January 25. Mr A. J. Fraser reports that t plenary Conference mot this aftornoc Mr W. M. Hughes, Sir Joseph Coc and Mr Massey attended. Sir Jose] Ward, occupied a seat on the Briti panel. A series of resolutions was movi affirming tho desirableness of establis ing a League of Nations to promo international co-operation to onsu; the fulfilment of acceptod. obligatioi and provide a safeguard against war. (2) That tho League oe an integri part of the general peaco treaty an open to every civilised nation whic can be relied upon to promote its ol jects. (3) That the League meet periodical! and havo a permanent organisation an secretariat to carry on its business be tween conferences. Resolutions wore also submittei creating a commission to report on thi responsibility of authors of th< war, breaches of tho law and custom of war committed by the Centra Powers and their allies on land an< sea and in tho air, also to decide tlh< degree of responsibility for these of fences attaching to particular member of the enemy forces, including memberi of tho general staffs and other indivi luals, however highly placed, tho Com mission also to decide the oonstitutioi ind procedure of a tribunal appropriate for the trial of these offences and anj cognate matters; A second Commission to be appointee to enquire into international laboui luestions and consider means to securc :ommon action regarding employment, ind to recommend a permanent agencj o continue tho enquiry under the of Nations. A third Commission to report upon he international regime of porta, waterways, and railways, these Commissions 0 consist of two representatives from ach of th© five great Powers and five lected by the other Powers. A fourth Commission with three reiresentatives apiece from each of th© vo great Powers and not more than svo apiece from Belgium, Poland, Roulania, and Serbia, will examine the mount of reparation which the enemy ught to pay or what the enemy is ipable of paying, and the method, >rm, and time within which payment lould be made. MR WILSON'S SPEECH. President Wilson opened the discuson in an effective speech. H© said ley had assembled to creat© the eague's machinery, not as representees of Governments but of peoples. , was necessary that they should tisfy tho opinion of mankind. Tho I irdens of th e war had fallen' heavily x>n the whole of the populations of e countries inv6lved. "W© are bidn," ho said, "to make peace to make ese poople secure, therefore we are ider a solemn obligation to mako perinent arrangements to secure justice d peace. Tho enemy who haa just en overcome utilised science to make struction sudden and complete, atchfulness is necessary to see that ence as well as armod men ar© kept thin tho harness of civilisation. Tho lited States, when entering tho war, vcr thought of intervening in Eurom or world politics. Her thought, all th© world was now conscious <f, s that justice and liberty turned rn ; issue. America would feel her part 1 been played in vain unless the asiated Powers guaranteed tho world's ice. Nations must keep an numbering eye upon the common "n----ests and tho fortunes of mankind, ich are now in the hands of the plnjn >ple." „ I.

PROPOSAL SUPPORTED. Mr Lloy'd Georgo briefly seconded tlrtß motion. . Ho described his journey through devastated Franco, which did not look liko tbo habitation of civilised* man. Ho saw ono. city which no indemnity could ever repay for tho destruction suffered. Surely some plan could bo devised for settling dispute-; by other means than war. Signor Orlando (Italy) and M. Bourgeois (France) spoko briefly. •Mr "VV. M. Hughes said ho hoped full opportunity would be given for tho discussion of tho proposals. Tho small nations, from Siam io Guatemala, tho world round then took part iu tho discussion, not so much on the value of a Loaguo, but on tho representation accorded them on tho various commissions. Tho delegates of the small Nations could not reconcile five representatives of tho great Powers against five representatives for tho remaining nineteen smaller Nations. REPRESENTATION ON COMMISSIONS. Sir Robert Borden (Canada) touched a soro spot, remarking that, wliilo lie had no fault to find with tho resolutions as drafted, thero was something to bo said against fivo Powers bringing down cut and dried resolutions. 31. Bratiano (Roumania) said Ronmania naturally desired to have proper representation on tho Waterways Commission. Her intorosts wero vitally Concerned with any dealings with the Danube as a waterway. Chiua equally was interested in navigation and Labour problems. M. Paul Ilymans declarod that Belgium felt keenly on tho subjoct of representation on tho Labour Commission, and some force should bo 1 given to Belgium's position by nn interview given by M. Vandorvelde, tho Belgian Minister of Justice, who said that Belgium needed every help. Sho had throe liundrcd thousand unemployed, chiefly in tho textilo and glass trades. If sho lid not got prompt assistance, tho country would experience a wave of Bolshevism. But for America's holp up to :lio present, Belgium's position would iavo boeomo unbearable. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. M. Clemeneeau summed up the disiussion. Ho referred to Sir Robert 3orden's reproach, and invited tho malj nations freely to express their r icws before tho Boveral commissions, irguing that if these were made overurge, less work would bo accomplished, ,nd tho discussions would becomo inerminablo. Tho Conference must procod speedily, bocauso millions of mon ,'ero awaiting demobilisation. They ould not accept dictation to the great 'owers. Ho was prepared to sacrifice 2any of his own opinions for the sueess of tho great common cause. Tho resolutions were agreed to unanilously. President "Wilson and Cqlonol House ill represent America, and Lord Robert ecil and General Smuts England, on iio Loaguo of Nations Oommitteo. Tho mall Powers will chooso their rep reHitatives on Monday.