PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

METHOD OF WOREINu

(By (Australian and X.Z. Cable Amocimwo./ LONDON, January 20. The Paris correspondent of the "Dailv Telegraph" says that the nicthTo V f»kin e of the Pew. Conference is now clear. 1 1 , t v ' represented by ten men, for programme and arrive at deci various questions, which are embodied in resolutions for consideration at tho plenary sitting.. The correspondent states authoritatively that the Le _,ue of Nations negotiations are p r °sri.'>bing most satisfactorily. He has been assured, in reference to the disarmament proposals, that they will first >e applied to the German armies. ■ SPEEDING UP BUSINESS. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) | (Received Januarv 29th. 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, Januarv 26. The Paris correspondent of the "Observer" states: "Tho indications are that the heads of Governments here realise they must no longer waste time over the theoretical part of the peace business. The most striking fact in this respect is perhaps that tho British Dominions' representatives were heard concerning tho German colonies. It is deducible from this that territorial questions will be taken by the Conference simultaneously with the League of Nations debates. I understand that a majority formed of inside delegations from the five leading Powers favour that course, hence questions of territorial delimitations both in and outside Europe are likely to be delegated to special committees forthwith." ENEMY POSSESSIONS. DISPOSAL LEFT TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS. LONDON, January 25. General Maurice says it must be remembered that Britain holds more conquered territory than any of tho Allies. It is desirable to remove the suspicion that we, having got all we want, arc now seeking concessions from the others and not giving anything in return. . . , The "Daily News," in a brief leader, says the decision has established the League of Nations in its true place in relation to the Conference, and invested the whole proceedings with an atmosphere of confidence and goodwill by the refusal of a powerful nation to take advantage of its possession of valuable territory. The decision may well prove the greatest victory of the war.

The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that President Wilson i ecently formed the idea of treating the colonies as neutral States under the guardianship of the Leaguo of Nations. French official circles] considered the scheme unpractical, and did not believe that America would persist in supporting it, especially after the conversation in London, where it was understood the British and American standpoints were drawn nearer together. Tho British decision to leave the important task of disposing of Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the German colonies to the League of Nations adds enormously to the interest of today's open discussion. Although the announcement is unofficial, newspapers accept the accuracy of the report, which arrived overlate for general comment, but tho headlines indicate that it will meet with vigorous opposition in some quarters. ' Tho Paris correspondent of the "Daily. Telegraph" says that Mr Hughes has submitted a detailed scheme regarding New Guinea, Mr Massey a scheme regarding Samoa, and General Smuts a scheme regarding German South-West Africa. Sir Robert Borden also made a statement. It is understood that all pronounced against returning her colonies to Germany. During an address to the Council of the Great Powers, Mr Massey stated that a confidential plebiscite was taken by New Zealand's Administrator among the Samoan chiefs and native leaders. Mr Massey claimed that it showed an overwhelming preference for British rule and condemnation of German.

The Supremo War Council drew up a programme embodying th e constitution of committees to study economic and financial questions. In the afternoon exchanges of views on the Gorman colonies wer 0 continued, with special reference to the Pacific Ocean.

It is understood that the AngloFrench proposal with respect to tho German colonies includes French possession of the Cameroons, and Belgian possession of the territory wost of Lake Victoria Nyanza, and a strip of territory on the left bank of the Congo as suitable compensation for Portugal. Possibly the If hi no, Danube, Vistula, Scheldt, Struma, Congo, and Amazon will come under tho control of tho League of Nations, likewiEO tho Berlin to Bagdad, Cape to Cairo, and Siberian railways, us well as shorter lines serving tJio Balkan countrios. Possibly tiie Dardanelles and Mesopotamia will also bo subject to international control.

Tne warning issued by tho Peace Conference to the Eastern Governments is likely to be productive of good. Lately there have been difficulties amounting sometimes to armed conflicts botween tho Serbians and Italians, the Serbians and Roumanians, the Ukrainians and Poles, the Poles and the Czechs, the Georgians and the Armenians, and tho Arabs and the Syrians. It is known that the Hungarian Government is preparing to profit by the quarrels of the new nations that are forming in her territory.

_ MELBOURNE, January 28. Mr "Watt has cabled to Mr hughes, stating that tho Government opposes the return of thc Pacific colonics to Germany, and also opposing the suggestion that they should be governed by a neutral or international Commission.

JAPAN'S ATTITUDE. PARIS, January 27. Baron Makino, interviewed, said that Japan would contribute in every possible way to the conclusion of a jti'-t peace, japan neither expects nor desires territorial expansion in Ciiiua or Siberia, and is willing to aid Russia to restore order, but her interests t-hero have ceased. Japan's only desire was to demonstrate her sincere friendship for China. If the Peace Conference gavo Japan the right to dispose of Ising-tau, Japan would return it to China. THE RUSSIAN QUESTION. PARIS, January 25. It is now permissible to say that the Conference's decisions regarding Russia were unanimous, and were reached largely owing to M. Scavenius's evidence. Although he favoured intervention, the French ultimately warmly supported President AVilson's proposal. The Bolshevist Foreign Commissary has sent a wireless message to the Bol- ' shevist representative in Sweden, asking for confirmation of the Poace conference proposal. The messago declares that the proposal c-omes too late, being made when the internal situation has been finally ecttlod. Thov do not reject the principle of a conference, and are I prepared to carefully consider th© quosItion. . Mr A. J. Fraser, the Australian Press

Association correspondent, soys, that the fact that M. Erik Scavenius, himself ail advocate of military intervention in Russia, declared that tho itussians oould not be trusted to fight tho Bolshevists, oven with tho support of tho Ainea troops, had an effect on the Russian docision. Moreover, the Dominion representatives emphatically declined to send any of their troops to Russia. It is reported that tho Bolshevists somewhat reluctantly consented to send delegates to the Sea Marmora. General Maurice says that those who regard tho Leaguo of Nations as an amiable dream, are exploiting tlio French Press irritation regarding Russia. Groat Britain, by her readiness to apply tho principle of holding conquered territories in trust for the benefit of tho inhabitants mulor a general supernational authority, has ndopted > tho best method of soothing this irritation. ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cabl<» A*!Oci*tion.) PARIS. January 25. Tho Bolshevist Government at Moscow has favourably replied to the invitation. but regards Princes Islands as too distant. Another report says the Bolshevists have not sent a reply, but a long wireless message has been received from the Bolshevists calling on tho revolutionary parties throughout the world to attend a Communist Congress aiming at the overthrow ol' tho bourgeoisie in all countries. DELEGATION OF GOVERNMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cabl© Association-) (Received January 2Sth, 7.35 p.m.) PAR 16, January 27. Tho newspapers, apropos of to-day's discussion regarding tho German colonies, stato that Great Britain and the United States havo arrived at an agreement that certain colonies in tho Pacific, theoretically, shall belong to the Leaguo of Nations, but that tho actual government shall be delegated to Australia and New Zoaland. There can bo no question of an international administration. (Received January 29th, 1.20 a.m.) PARIS, January 26. The correspondent of the United Press Association interviewed a British Peace delegate, who said Great Britain would be allowed to control tho German colonies, tho Dardanelles, and Mesopotamia, with strict accountability to the League of Nations. Naturally, if she were unable to render a satisfactory account ot her trusteeship, it would end. A LABOUR PROGRAMME. (Received January 29th. 1.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, January 2ti. Tho correspondent of tho United Press Association interviewed Mr A. Henderson at Berne. Ho declared the international Labour Congress hoped tho peace delegates would endorse tho following programme: A League of Nations including Germany, an international Labour Charter securing compulsory military service, general disarmament, prohibition of tho manufacture of war materials, except by international control, and exclusively moral intervention in Russian affairs. A POINT CONCEDED. NEW YORK, January 20. The Paris correspondent of the "New York Globo" states that tho British conceded tho most important point in America's plan for a League of Nations, namely, the constitution of a central administrative body sitting continuously, and composed of one representative from each Great Power, and a limited number of representatives nominated by groups of smaller nations. The French only are still undecided concerning the acceptanco of certain minor phases of tho plan. SELF-DETERMINATION OF SMALL NATIONS. (Received January 29th, 1.20 a.m.; NEW YORK, January 26. The correspondent of the United Press Association interviewed King Nicholas of Montenegro at Paris. He said: "The smaller nations should enjoy the same rights o'f self-determination as the larger nations. Serbia is attempting forcibly to annex Montenegro. lam anxious to see Montenegro's future assured tinder President Wilson's principles, even if it results in my abdication. I urged tho Montenegrins not to oppose the Serbians so as to avoid the further shedding ol blood." FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. (Rcutor's Telegrams.) (Received January 29th, 1.45 a.m.) VANCOUVER, January 27. The Pcaco Conference made a distinct gain on Monday, -lineman small Powers, giving full adhesion to the organisation formulated by tho £v« Great Powers for securing the united front of tho great and small Powers to see out the work on the main subject before the Commission. This was largely due to skilful direction by M. Cambon. The Great Powers at a simultaneous session appointed a committee on maritime laws, which is regarded bv tho newspapers as embraced in Mr Wilson's points regarding freedom of the seas.