PEACE CONGRESS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. COLONIAL CLAIMS. - (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright* 1 (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, January 28.. It is understood that Great Britain supports Japan's claims to the .Marshall and Curoimc* Islands, and Japan supports Australia's claims to the other islands. . The disclosure that the Japanese and the British had a secret treaty allotting tho Marshall and Caroline Islands to the Japanese lias surprised American opinion. It is understood that 1 residont Wilson intends to make a counterproposal lor the internationalisation or all the Pacific Colonies. -Mr W. M. Hu-hos's speech in Paris stating that the Australians had won their rights respecting the Pacific? Islands is attracting widespread attention in London. Mr A. J. Frazer etatos that in connexion with the German colonies, doubtless the fact that Germany used the Pacific Islands for strategic purposes rather than for economic development will carry weight, also the German treatment ot' the nativos in her overseas possessions, as compared with the reasonable treatment accorded by British colonists will have an effect on the Powers' decision. There is a strong feeling in Eome quarters that international control will lead to confusion, I especially in islands contiguous to the j mainlands, with whom it is natural that [ intercourse should be. "Le Journal" says the French standpoint in regard to 'the fato of tho German colonics is against the restoration of the territories, which constitute a valuable advance payment on account of future indemnities. There is also no question of international administration. The Gorman colonies must be divided among the States which havo claims based on war and colonial' experience, and geographical position.. President Wilson's Pacific colonies proposal contemplates one Power control, the colonies being subject to tho general supervision of tho League of Nations. The correspondent of tho London "3>aily Telegraph," apropos of Australia's and Now Zealand's claims in the Pacific, says the French Government is full of admiration at tho Dominions' exertions in tho war, and is anxious to .show its appreciation thereof. M. Clemenceau is on most cordial terms with the Dominion Ministers, and is all smiles to them. SCHEME ADOPTED. (Received January 29th, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 27. Tho Paris correspondent of tho "Morning Post" understands that the Conference adopted a scheme for administering the German colonies through mandatories. Other reports indicate a compromise. PARIS, January 28. Mr Hughes attended the Supreme Council, at which President Wilson's plan for the internationalisation of the German Pacific colonies was discussed. The Council has summoned Mr Massey to the Conference. The impression prevails that tho fate of the colonies will be settled before the Plenary Conference meets. (Beuter's Telegrams.) (Received January 30th, 1.55 a.m.) PARIS, January 28. The question of the German colonies was discussed at to-day's sitting of the Supreme Council. The Chinese delegates were specially summoned to discuss China's interests. DOMINIONS AND NATIONALITY. (Received January 29tli, 9.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 27. The "New York Herald" says, editorially, that some confusion of mind has been caused here and in Europe by the declaration that the British Oversea Dominions consider themselves independent nations. So far as internal conditions are concerned, there is really j nothing new in this. They sit tight within the Empire when the Empire is threatened, but naturally demand freedom when only local matters are involved. c SOUTH-WEST AFRICA. (Received January. 29th, 9.15 p.m.) - NEW YORK, January 27. The Paris correspondent fcf the "New York World" says it is thought that President Wilson will assent to the British annexation of South-West Africa, because tTiere is no natural defensive border between .the German and Bvitish African colonies. RECOGNITION OF BOLSHEVISTS. OPPOSITION IN RUSSIA. LONDON, January 27. The special Paris correspondent of the' "Morning Post" states that practically the whole of France regards the invitation to the Bolshevists as a diplomatic triumph for Lenin, who will demand the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Allies, particularly London, and thus'enable M. Litvinoff to resume his activities in South Wales and on the Clyde.. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says it is.known here that the Omsk and Archangel Governments decline .to hold a conference with the Bolshevists M. Tcliitcherin, the Russian People's Commissioner, has sent a wireless messago to the newspaper "Le Pojmlaire," begging for exact information in reference to the improbable story that it is the intention of the Great Powers to confer with the Russian Government. He says that a meeting on a solitary island 'will make true publicity impossible, but that territorial arrangement? might be brought about if the Conference with the Russian Government were conducted by arbitration through a third Power. It is impossible, he declares, to stop the fighting. The Archangel correspondent of the "Morning Post" says the GovernorGeneral has rightly forbidden the publication of. the text, of President Wilson's nroposal for n conference with the Bolshevists which was adopted by tlie i'aris Conference, owing to a fear of its effects on the Russian population. The Russian military elements oppose the proposal, describing it as an abandonment of Russia to the Bolshevists by Mr Wilson. They threaten to rejoin. l the Siberian Army if the Allies leave Archangel. The position of the Bolshevists is strengthened by tho Conference's invitation, which encourages them to believe that tho Allies are yielding. UNSYMPATHETIC VIEWS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.} (Received January 29th, 9.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 27. Interviewed at Chicago by the "New York Times," M. Breshkovskaya expressed disapproval of President Wilson's plan to parley with the Russian ' factions, because thoso factions will not harmonise. "Allied troops jn Siberia," he said, 'will not be of 'the slightest use, or benefit to the Russian people." The United Press representative at 1 i Berne interviewed M. Branting, the ; i Swedish Socialist leader, who declared , j that the Allies must take advantage of i their victory, but the peace must be

just rather than imperialistic. "F 1 " 0 sident "Wilson's ideals were on the banners of all European Socialists. © had no sympathy with Russian 13° s c vists, and doubted if the proposal or a conference of the Russian tactions would solve the Russian problem. c did not believe the factions could agree. Tho London correspondent of J c j "New York World" interviewed .ur Francis, United States Ambassadoi to Russia, who endorsed President \> 1 s plan to bring together the Russian ac tions. -'It is necessary to remind the Russians opposed to the plan, 10 said, "that they were inherently « n able to agree, even before the Bo s »e vists existed. It is necessaiy a»so to warn them that Germany hopes p ie [Coup herself in Russia lor the osacshe sustained in the war. THE DOMINION'S VOICE. DI3SATISFIED DELEGATES. (United Scrvice.) (Received January 29th. 8.40 p.m.) LONDON. January It. Mr Keith Murdoch, writing on the 22nd, 'says that immediately on their arrival here, thp New Zealand ec " gates took up a vigorous crusade oi increased representation. Mr Massey points out that the understanding with Great Britain, made prior to his departure from New Zealand, clearly provided for dual representation. Sir Joseph Ward strongly criticises the decision ol' tho Conference. It is uu-1 derstood it has been explained that the work requires the fullest attention of the two Ministers. Sometimes Sir Joseph "Ward will be able to attend tho Conference on the British pane , also attending important meetings or tho British Cabinet's Conference Commission. Mr Massey is unlikely to adopt the panel system for New Zealand's delegation. Sir Joseph "Ward is thoroughly dissatisfied, and his present inclination seems to be to go home. FUTURE OF CONSTANTINOPLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 29th, 7.40 p.m.) \LONDO-N. January 27. M. Marco] Hutin, in the "Echo do Paris," says the British will polico Constantinople on behalf of the Allies. Constantinople will bo internationalised, and tho Sultan will retire to Komich or Broussa. VARIOUS PETITIONS. (United Service.) (Received January 30th, 12.3 a.m.) PARIS. January 28. Mr Keith Murdoch states that a Jewish Mission is presenting a great petition to tho Conference, praying for tho prevention of the wholesale extradition of Bohomian Jews to Poland, and claiming that they had greater freedom in Austria than they ■ aro getting in Poland. The Sinn Feiners are unablo to como to Paris, because this would involve a declaration that they wore British subjects. The Mayor of Dublin and representatives of the Corporation are coming, also two American Irishmen, with a view to inviting President Wilson to visit Dublin, and presenting a petition to the Conference praying for independence. LABOUR COMMISSION. (Received January 30th, 1.30 a.m.) PARIS, January 27. A rapprochement between Labour and certain members of the Government is manifesting itself in Paris. Messrs A. Hendorsonj J. H. Thomas, and H. Lansbury frequently consulting Mr G. N. Barnes, ostensibly concerning British Labour Commission and the international scheme. (Received January 30th, 1.55 a.m.) x PARIS, January 28. Mr A. J. Fraser states that thd 1 conference between the British Labour delegates has made good progress. The Dominion representatives have had many consultations on Labour matters. The British scheme is almost prepared. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. WR ANGLE OVER REPRESENTATION. LONDON. January 27. Official. —New Zealand delegates attended the second plenary session of the Peace Conference, Mr Massey representing New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward sitting as a member of Great Britain's delegation. . It was a brilliant scene when President Wilson, in the tense silence of universal expectancy, set in serious motion the idealistic movement towards the creation of a League of Nations to end war for ever. The President's utatoment was charmingly eloquent, but dis- , appointingly unconvincing. Ftill value wa« given to every word, also to every omission, for the great assembly obviously realised that the argument was more the idealistic product of study than a substantial machine for remedying permanently human frailties. _ His most impressive point 'was impressively made, this being a solemn warning that the delegates were not the represent. tives of Governments, but the reprcsen- | tatives of peoples who were surfeited with war and bade tho Conference to make permanent peace. Therefore, tho League must be the unslumbering eye of tne nations. He moved for tho adoption of the proposal and the immediate appointment of a committee to prepare details. Mr Lloyd George seconded the pro- , posal. He said the sight of the widespread devastation in France and tha ' acres of graves had convinced him that it was time a saner plan than organised savagery was adopted for the settle- ' ment of disputes. The motion was supported by Italy, China, Poland, Belgium, and the smaller Powers. ' Mr Hughes drew an assurance from M. Clemenceau that the delegates would have an opportunity to discuss the completed scheme. Tli© Conference later degenerated into a wrangle over tho representation of small States on special commissions, sometimes three delegates rising simultaneously. Tha barrage of argument and final procedure surprised many oi the delegates, 31. Clemenceau brisklj including several undiscussed subjects in tho resolution, which was carried) only a fow of the delegates voting. Mr Massey lunched on Monday witr Mr Lloyd George. OPINION IN LONDON. (Received January 29th. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 27. Full accounts of the Conference League of Nations proceedings have beer favourably received by the Londor Press apart from the "Morning Post," which continues its policy of destruc t tive criticism. It is generally recog . n jsed that the Conference has reallj ' got to work. There is much commen ; dation of M. Clemenceau's stronj lead and his anxiety to get the busi ; ness transacted. Some of the news . papers consider that General Smut: I supplied the basis of the officia f scheme for a League of Nations. Tk< > protests cf the smaller nations receivi

attention, though their attitude is rcgarded not as one of fault-finding, but J as a natural expression of disappoints ment that they are not able to take a larger share in the deliberations. TRIBUTE TO BELGIUM. i Received January 30th, 1.55 a-nv) PARIS, January 2S. Ihe small Powers are choosing their delegates for the commissions created g last Saturday. They have generously ..j accorded Belgium two out of the five, 0 as a compliment to her for the part she played in the war. 1 A TANGIBLE STEP. '1 (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received January 29th, 8.45 p.m.) "WASHINGTON. January • The prevailing feeling in official circles is that the action of the Peace t, Congress regarding the League of Na- C t:ons is a tangible step towards the I realisation of the League It is not s thought that serious opposition to the J League will develop in the United States Congress. a