THE PEACE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 48, 21 November 1918, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY

PRESIDENT WILSON'S VISIT TO VERSAILLES

THE WAR INDEMNITY

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Washington, November ID. An official 'statement regarding President Wilson attendini the Peace Conference states that the President expects to participate in the discussion and settlement of the main features of the peace treaty. It is unlikely that he will remain throughout the sessions, but his presence at the outset is necessary to obviate the manifest disadvantages of discussion by cable regarding tho greater outlines of the final treaty, upon which he must necessarily be consulted. He will be accompanied by the United States delegates who will sit as tho American representatives throughout the conference—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

. AMERICAN PRESS OPINION. (Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.m.) New York, November .19. The majoritv of the papers throughout the country consider that President Wil=on is making a mistake in going to Europe. Some concede that he is probably" beHer able to iudge as to the need of his presence there than the people. There is a feeling that if President Wilson's presence at the preliminary conference should materially aid in the formation of a League of Nations and the making of future warAloss possible, the visit will have been more than justihed. Some paners think President Wilson should remain at home to. attend to impoit. ant legislation and other matters which are sure to arise (luring his absence. ■ The New York "Times's" Washington correspondent states that while no further details regarding the President's prospective visit l o Europe havo been given officiallv it is understood that the vovaee will be made on a liner. President Wil on will be accompanied by tl;e officii delegates to the .Peace Conference • on the IJniW States, as well as his secretary, Mr. Tumulty, and Mr, George Creel The party will include Mrs. Wilson and a.number of exports in international law. The indications are that the delegates, wll be Mr Lansing (Secretary of StaM Mr. Bak'r (S«-retorv for War), Mr. Houston (Secretary for Agriculture), and Judge Qharle-: E. Hughes. It is understood that President Wilson will address the assembled neare delegation, and will outline his views regarding the"broad principles which should he imposed by the victorious Governments, and rive his Ideas for the organisation of the League of Nations What Colo elHouse's status will be is arousing considerable interest. In Washington circle* it is not believed that he will be among the official American peace delepates, but will continue to act as confidential adviser to President Wllson.-Aus.-N.Z.'Cable Assr.

BRITISH PREMIER AND PRESIDENT WILSON

EXCHANGE OF FELICITATIONS,

(Rec November 21, 1.30 a.m.)

London, 'November 19. The Prime Minister has telegraphed to President Wilson: "Heartiest thanks for your cordial and kindly message. lam certain that the ideals of our fvo countries regarding international reconstruction are fundamentally the same I feel sure, that at the Peace Conference we shall be able to co-operate to promote a world-wide pence, liberty, and true democracy ."-ius-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. ..

JAPAN'S REPRESENTATIVES

(Rec. November 20, 8.15 p.m.) Tokio, November 19,

Official.—Viscount Chinda and Baron Jfatsui, the .Tapane.se Ambassadors at London and Paris respectively, will represent Japan at the Peace Conference.— Aus.-N.Zi Cable Assn.

WILL GERMANY FOOT THE WAR BILL?,

MR. BONAR LAW DECLINES TO BE DRAWN. London, November 19. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Lav declined to say whether the terms for' Germany included the repayment of the net cost of the war incurred by the Allies.-Aus'.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE WAR COST TO DATE,

(Rec. November .20, 5.5 p.m.)

, New York, November 19. T.he New York "Times" Washington correspondent states that, according to figures given in the Federal Reserve Bulletin, the war up to the signing of the armistice cost the principal belligerents 200 billion dollars (roughly, forty thousand millions sterling). The cost (Joes, not include the damage done by the armies,—Aus.-N.55. Cable Assn.

GERMANY AND THE PACIFIC

STRONG SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIA'S DEMAND,

New York, November 19. The New York "Times" editorially comments on the 'Australian Senate's resolution opposing the return of the Pacific Islands to Germany: "It is incredible that Germany should ever bo allowed to recover the islands in the Pacific captured by Australia. New Zealand, or Japan. Germany wanted possessions in the Pacific for coaling stations and naval and air bases, points from which to command and assail the world's trade routes.' New Guinea in German lands would perpetuate the danger to' Sydney and the safety of the trade routes along the Northern Coast. The natives would be infinitely better off under Australia. Lord llosebery once said it was the destiny of Australia to be trustee of the Pacific. Australia is a trustee who can be trusted."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIA'S DEMANDS.

(Rec. November 20, 9.15 p.m.) • Melbourne, November 20.

The Executive Committee of the United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australasia has resolved to cable Mr. Hughes supporting the demand that Germany should pay a substantial indemnity to cover part of. the Allies -,yar expenditure, and also the demand for the retention of the German colonies.—Press Assn.

THE DEMAND FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF THE KAISER

(Rec. November 20, 8.30 p.m.) Ottawa, November 19. The Canadian Club and other organisations throughout Canada are cabling Sir Robert Borden in London to insist on exemplary punishment for the Kaiser, and every Hmi criminal—Aus. : N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ARMISTICE FURTHER REQUESTS BY GERMANY ' > London, November 19. The German, protest against the armistice terms (pari: of which was cabled yesterday! also requested tho following concessions:— .The'freedom of telephonic, telegraphic, and postal traffic, in the occupied territories with the right bank of the Rhine and with neutrals. ' Permission to bring fond and fodder from the left to the right bank of the Rhine. . ■ i ' The old frontier of the Empire, including Luxemburg, shall be regarded as the Customs boundary, dues to be leviable by German officials on behalf of the Empire, and German prohibitions regarding export, transit, and import shall be handled by Gorman officials. i The message declares most emphatically that the surrender nf five thousand locomotives and one hundred and fifty thousand wagons makes it impossible to supply towns with food even' for a week, and f.liat the whole Empire will be stricken by hunger. .Einally. the continuation of the blockade, especially in the East, will render it impossible for iron and other transport to be made from .the north for German industries, and also German coal for Scandinavia, bringing the dependent German and Scandinavian industries to a standstill. The blockade will also paralyse the North Sea and Baltic fisheries. The German representatives at Spa were instructed to discuss these urgent wishes with the Allied representatives, but were unsuccessful, because the Allied representatives had not full powers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '

WITH THE ARMIES OF OCCUPATION PROGRESSIVE ADVANCE ON VARIOUS FRONTS. London, November 19. A French commimirj no states: "Our advance lias been continued. The enemy abandoned enormous material, locomotives, parks of automobiles, and magazines. We solemnly entered Snurbrucken, Drouze, and Morhange. We are nearing the Rhine between Neuf lirisach and tlie Swiss frontier."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Rcuter. FRENCH HEADQUARTERS AT JIETZ. (lice. November 20, 5.15 p.m.) • Paris, November 19. General Fi'tain is establishing the Ki ench Headquarters at Metz. French troops will occupy Vienna, Prague, and Budapest—A iij.-X.Z. Cable Assn. \ AMERICANS AT BRIEY. London, November 19. An American, official message states: "Our Third Army occupied. Virton, pass, ed Spincnurt, Longuyon, and Conflans, entered the fortress of Longwy, and occupied Briey."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu ter.

BELGIANS EAST OF TERMOND E. London, November 19. A Belgian communique states: "Continuing our advance wo reached Baesirode. east of Termonde. In order to keep the general security n. cavalry brigade, reinforced by artillery and cyclist carbineers, lias beep sent to Brussels, and a cavalry regiment has been sent to Malines. A munitions depot exploded at Brussels and set fire to the North and South Rehaelbeek stations."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ttenter. BELGIANS ENTER ANTWERP. (Rec. November 21, 1.30 a.m.) Amsterdam, November 1!). The Belgian troops enteied Antwerp to-day amid scenes of great enthusiasm. A solemn reception look place at the Stadhans —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISORDERLY EVACUATION EXPLAINED i Paris, November 10. The disorderliness of the Gjermnn evacuation was largely owing to. many soldiers surrendering and refusing to leave France, declaring that the people were dying of hunger in Germany.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i GERMAN REVOLT IN A BELGIAN CAMP. Paris, November 10. Several hundred men were killed during a revolution by German soldiers at Deverloom Camp, Belgium. Many officers escaped by aeroplanes. The canni»»de was heard in Holland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; ' AN ELEMENT OF FUTURE MISCHIEF. Rotterdam, November IS. When the German soldiers were demobilising large numbers abandoned their arms or sold their rifles, machine-guns, and grenades to Belgian civilians. There were similar cases at Brussels. An enormous quantity of arms and ammunition is now in the hands of Belgian labourers. The Soldiers' Council ordered the civilians to surrender the .arms, but there was practically no response. Serious trouble is apprehended at Antwerp when the last German soldiers, leave.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' THE U-BOATS* SURRENDER CREWS RESOLVE TO CARRY OUT THE ARMISTICE. • . • t London, November 19. A wireless German official message states that- a meeting of U-boat crews at Wilhelmshavei)- on November 15 passed a resolution that they would render the Fatherland the- last and .heaviest service of taking all the U-boats where they were ordered, according to the terms of the armistice.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN WARSHIPS EN ROUT/E TO SURRENDER,

(Rec. November 20, 7.35 p.m.)

Copenhagen, November 18. Advices from Berlin state that the first part of the German fleet' for surrender, comprising the battleships. Bayern, Grosser Kurfurst, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Sfarkgraf, Kqenig Albrecht, and Kaiserin, and the battle-cruisers Seydlitz and Moltke, left Kiel Harbour on November 17—Reuter.

BIG TASK AHEAD FOR, MINE-SWEEPERS

It is estimated that there are 200,000 mine-sweepers will be kept in the Navy N.Z. Gable Assn.

London, November 19. mines still in home waters. The existing till the danger has been removed—Aus.-