NOTE OF DECISION DEMANDED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2725, 21 March 1916, Page 5

NOTE OF DECISION DEMANDED

BRITAIN AT THE PARIS CONFERENCE •By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 19. _ The "Times" deprecates Attempts to tio the hands of the Government at the Paris Conference, but says: "It is impossible to ignore the subtle movement to postpone a settlement indefinitely. There is good reason to believe that a firm, united policy would tend to shorten the war. Moreover, the matter, concerns the future relations of the Empire. Mr. Hughps is making the most notable contributions to the fmmation of a sound' Imperial policy. He stands for exactly those robust principles_ of national security which the war is slowly restoring {o British politics. Whoever tho British representatives may be, they should include so sane and vigorous a spokesman, from tile Dominions. If the Government thinks we are going to peace as unprepared as we went to war, it knows singularly little regarding public feeling. Tho people expect decisive action; they want effective consolidation of the Empire, and intend that the views put forward in Paris shall be the views of five British democracies,. not tile views of a little oligarchy of English Liberals."

RUSSIAN PROPOSALS FOR THE CONFERENCE. (Roc. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 19. Tho "Times" correspondent at Petro. grad states that a special consultative body is now drafting instructions for, Russian representatives at the Paris" economics conference. It will bo a farreaching programmfc, and will include provisions for the defence of the Allied market against the influx of enemy and noutral commodities, the co-ordinating of tho principles on ; which will lie based the presentation of the demands upon the enemy for compensation for war losses, and post-war emigration between tho Allied countries,

ENGLAND MISUNDERSTANDS FRENCH AIMS. (Rec. March 21, 0.25 a.m.)

J-ontlon, March 20. The "Times" Paris correspondent states that the Allied Conference will probably meet on March 27: There appears to be some misapprehension in England regarding France's desires in respect to the economio relations of the , French, who regard this aspect of the war as of vital importance, and worthy of much more definite treatment than Mr. Asquith has given it. The French aro bewildered by the anxiety which the proposed conference has aroused - in Pree-trado circles in England. France is not trying to lure Britain into a Protectionist ambush. There is no foundation for the belief that tho conference will bind tho parties, to change, their fiscal systems .without reference to their Parliaments, but no reasonable Frenchman, will regard as satisfactory a settlement which will 'enable the Germans immediately after the war to subjugate their foreign competitors, and Recreate centres of political and commercial espionage. Tho French are pleased and surprised io find that the British Dominions are ahead of the. Mother Country in this matter.

The "Times" Toronto correspondent states that Sir Robert Borden would doubtless desire to attend the Paris conference if Parliament is not sitting, but no apprehension is felt that Canada's interests will be neglccted either as regards the terms of peace of the commercial agreements; Mr. Hughes has mado a singularly favourable impression in Ottawa, and as the result of his conference with Canadian statesmen he could speak for Canada as authoritatively as for Australia.