AT THE PEACE TABLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 57, 2 December 1918, Page 5

AT THE PEACE TABLE

PROBLEMS FOR ALLIED PLENIPOTENTIARIES GERMANY'S ABILITY TO PAY LABOUR'S TERMS London, November 28. Mr. Churchill, speaking at Dundee, said the expenses of tho war could not possibly be recovered from tho Germans. All we could get was reparation for the damage done. There was ton for ton in shipping, but Germany must be fed. Therefore we might make tho Germans build ships for us instead of taking ships from them.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPAYMENT OP 1870 WAR LEVIES. Paris, November 2S. The Municipal Council proposes to ask tho Peace Confercuco to demand 'that Germany shall repay tho wa,r levies made after the Franco-Prussian War, totalling, with compound interest, nearly two thousand millions sterling—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO INDEMNITY TOO HIGH FOR GERMANY STATEMENT BY MR, AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN. (Rec. December 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20. Mr. Austen Chamberlain states that the British and Allied Governments are considering the position of the ex-Kaiser and Crown Prince. The Peace Conference will fiavo the final decision. There would bo no indemnity too high for Germany, and. the indemnity had to be paid. Some of it might have lo bo paid in goods.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LABOUR'S SHARE IN THE VICTORY PARTY'S PEACE TERMS London, November 20. The Labour Party's election programme refers to Labour's share in tho victory, and states: "Democratic diplomacy as expressed in Labour's war aipis has been a powerful factor in winning tho war, and will also be in rebuilding the world. Labour demands a peace of international co-operation, and oppose* secret diplomacy and any form of economic war. It demands as an essentia) part of the peace treaty that an international Labour charter be incorporated in tho structure of a league of free people. Labour welcomes the extension of the. liberty of the democracy in Europe, and demands the immediate withdrawal of the Allied forces in Russia." Its proposals include freedom for Ireland, abolition of conscription, repeal of the Defenco of tho Realm Acts, nationalisation of laud, mines, railways, shipping, armaments, and electric power, free and open education for all, a million good houses, a levy on capital, and Free-trade. The war debt should be paid by a special tax on capital; also, those who have made fortunes out of the war must pay for it. < The programme concludes with a. protest against a large part of the youth of the nation * being arbitrarily disfran-chised.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE OF NATIONS OR NAVAL SUPREMACY? London, November 29. In the course of a series of interviews dealing with the freedom of the seas, Lord Charles Beresford said the British Fleet had ensured the victory, and Germany's view of tho freedom'of the seas was the same as her viow of tho freedom of tho land. The League of Nations was no counterpoise to the command of the seas by .the British Fleet. Britain will not consent to givo up the command of thoi seas, but will gladly welcome the assistance of the English-speaking nations to retain that command. Mr. H. G. Wells says: "The freedom of the seas means a guarantee by the League of Nations of transit without discrimination in freight and fares over all seas and international land routes." Colonel Repington said: "I have not the slightest idea of what the freedom of the seas means, nor have I met anyone who can tell ine." ' Mr. Pollen says that Germany was defeated because she was successfully besieged by sea. Had neutrals been free to supply her, the war might have continued for another year. Non-combatants by trading with Germany' had cost Europe and America millions of lives and fifty billion dollars. If this were tho freedom of the seas it was a costly luxury. Mr. Archibald Hurd, naval correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," and Mr. Ralph Blumenfeld, editor of the "Daily Express," say: "There can be ho freedom of the seas until there is no mora war."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA'S PROPOSALS FOR THE LEAGUE'S CONSTITUTION, ' (Rec. November 1, 5.5 p.m.) Raw York, November 30. Tho New York "Times" Washington correspondent says that America's Peace Conference proposals for the Leaguo of Nations contemplate an international naval force to .police the seas. Such a fleet may bo used lo blockade ports of countries which refuse to obey the league's decrees. Tho American Government' will advocate an international tribunal td adjust disputes and enforce .decisions by tlio international police fleet. It is intended to advocate that tho German naval vessels should be handed over to tho League of Nations, whose fevee will be augmented by warships furnished by other nations' within the league. Some European statesmen are opposed to admitting Germany to the League of Nations until she has served a period of penance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE AMERICAN DELEGATION. (Rec. November 1, 5.5 p.m.) - Washington, November 29. It is officially announced that the American delegates to the Peace Conference will include President Wilson, Mr. Lansing, Colonel House, Mr. White (exAmbassador), and General Bliss. The announcement has caused no surprise, but there is some disappointment that Mr. Taft, Senator Root, and Judgo Charles Hughes aro not included. It is believed that Mr. Baker (Secretary for War) will go to the conference later and take President Wilson's placo when tho latter returns home. Tho newspapers contend that American opinion will not bo adequately represented by-President Wilson's appointees, who will merely carry out the Administration's policy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PRESIDENT'S PLANS. (Rec. Novembor 1, 5.5 p.m.) Now York, November 30. The United Press Washington correspondent states that President Wilson will probably address Congress on December 2 and begin tho official conference with the Allies on Decomhor 1-I.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPUBLICAN MCVE. (Rec. December 1, 1,1.5 p.m.) Washington, November 30. | President Wilson's failure to include Republicans in the Peace Conference personnel is made the subject of a Republican Senate movement to dispatch a Senator independently to Prance to report on tho proceedings tor the Senate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. I BRAZIL'S PEACE TERMS (Rec. Novembor 1, 5.5 p.m.) Rio do Janeiro, November 29. Souor Domicio Dagamn, Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs, interviewed, stated that Brazil would participate in the Peace Conference. She would bo against tho return of the German colonies. "It is natural," he said, "that wo shall desire an indemnification of the cost of our participation in the war."— Aus.-N,Z. Cable Assn.