PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 69, 16 December 1918, Page 5

PEACE CONGRESS

ALLIES' INSISTENCE ON INDEMNITIES

GROWING ANXIETY IN GERMANY

MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND CONSCRIPTION

By Telegraph-Press Association-Convrieht Amsterdam, 'December 13. The German Press is anxiously watching the growing Allied insistence on the payment of indemnities. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" warns the Allies to be sober enough to realise thnt it never pays to enslave a great people, and slave labour is notoriously unproductive, it appeals particularly to the Americans, pointing out that Germany is no longer a clangorous rival in the world's markets, and that exaction of an indemnity would mean a greater danger of losing' Germany as a business sphere.— Aus.-N.JS. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE CONSCRIPT ARMIES MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S ADVOCACY FOR ABOLITION. London, December 13. The "Evening Standard" is authorised to state that Air. Lloyd George will press forward the abolition of conscription in Great Britain even if he is unsuccessful in inducing the Continental Powers at the Poace .Conference to do so—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter'.

(Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 13. Mr. Llovd George, in a statement on the eve of the poll, said that he wished to make it indisputably clear that he stood for the abolition of conscription in the armies of all lands. Should it be ruled otherwise, the Peace Conference v-<"ild b» a failure and a sham. The llri-' tish delegates at the conference, must iuuour towards that end.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assni. PRESIDENT WHSON IN FRAME A WIRELESS INTERVIEW. London, December 13. President AVilson, who has been interviewed by means of wireless, says he hopes the* Peace Treaty will be signed by March; as otherwise it may possibly involve him for a second visit to Europe. After a short stay in Paris President Wilson will visit the devastated areas in Europe and the American troops.— Aus. : N.Z. Cnble Assn. Brest, December 13. President AVilson has landed.'—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. , ~ (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) Now York,' December IS. The United Press correspondent on board the President's, vessel slates that, tho belief is expressed that if tho peace treaty is not signed before March it will be neci!3S«>ry for President AVilson to return to the United States and make another journey to Franco later. President AVilson 'will confer informally with tho Allied Premiers on December 17, 18, an,d 10, and will visit the devastated parts of France and Italy. Tho University of Paris has offered an honorary degreo to President AVilson — Aus.-N.Z. Cwblo Assn:

WELCOME AT BREST. (Rec. December 15, 11.40 p.m.) Paris, December 14. . French and Italian cruisers and a destroyer squadron met President Wilson's steanier at sea, and escorted her through a lane of American battleships to her anchorage at Brest, whore tho President was welcomed by M. Piclion and other Ministers. There woro great crowds in tho streets. Replying to the Mayor's address of welcome, President Wilson said that ho would,be pleased to join his counsel with the French statesmen in securing a peace settlement consistent with American and French idefnls.—Aus.'-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS PROPOSAL Brest, December 13. The American peace delegation will contend that the League of Nations proposal must not be part of the Peace Treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Philadelphia, December 12. Mr, W. H. Taft, in the course of a statement, said: "There is nothing in England's position respecting her fleet that should discourage the friends of tho League of Nations proposal. Mr. Churchill's recent statement was for the purpose of politics,"—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

CHINA SEEKING RETURN OF TSINGTAU AN AMERICAN" REPORT. (Red. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) , New York, December 13. The New York "Times" Peking correspondent states that the Chinese Peace Delegation will ask at the conference for the return of Tsingtau to China—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE VOIcToY IRELAND (Rec December 15, 5.5 p.m.) • Washington! December 14. An Irish delegation has urged tho Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives to pass a resolution urging the United States Peace Delegation to request freedom, independence, and self-determination for Ireland.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. SWITZERLAND URgFqUICK DISPATCH (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, December 14. Switzerland, on Germany's behalf, has urged tho United States to hasten on the Peace Conference because of tho fear of famine in Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ENEMY'S LOST COLONIES ADVICE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) New York, Decembor 13. Mr. Frank Simonds, commenting on the propaganda which is being conducted in Germany for the purpose of dividing tho Associated Powers at the peace table on the question of the roturn of the colonies, says: "It is important that the American people must Tealise thai; the German colonies must not be returned." He points out that Australia and New Zealand do not wish to be compelled to maintain h Navy against Germany, which they would have to do if Samoa, and Nov Guinea' were returned. Referring to South-west Africa, Mr. Simonds points out that the return of that territory to Germany would be a perpetual menace to the Union of South Africa, and compel the Union • Government to maintain a large army. In conclusion the writer says: "The determination not to return the German colonies is not a British scheme for expansion. It is British policy dictated from the Cape, Sydney, Melbourne, and Wellington'."— Aus.-N.Z. j Cable Assn.