THE PEACE ISSUES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 96, 17 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE ISSUES

MONTENEGRIN MANIFESTO UNION WITH SERBIA DENOUNCED AS ILLEGAL THE SECRET TREATY WITH ITALY ' Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Bee. January 16, 9.15 p.m.) London, January 14. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent states that simultaneously with the arrival of representatives of the so-called United Kingdom of Serbians, Croatiaus, and Slovenes, the socalled Government of Montenegro, representing King Nicholas and his friends, issued a manifesto to the newspapers denouncing King Nicholas's dethronement and the union of Montenegro with Serbia as illegal. They declare their intention of invoking the aid of the Peace Conference to restore King Nicholas. On the other hand, live ex-Premiers and other notables at Cetinje have issued a declaration in favour of the union. The correspondent declares that the Montenegrins have never forgiven King Nicholas for his capitulation to Austria. •They have pursued a straight line ever since, culminating in the National Assembly which proclaimed the union with Serbia on December 21. King Nicholas has been a French Government guest, hence, the French censorship has hitherto suppressed comments on his position.

Other more important, interests are also at •' stake. A secret treaty in April, 1915, promised Italy, as a reward for entering the war, nearly all her demands, including portion of Dnlmatia, the Adriatic | islands, and the Gulf of Valona., It was an old-fashion-ed bargain, made at the time when Italy's ■ intervention promised to bo a decisive factor in winning the war, but the rise of Jngo-Slavism and the importance of President Wilson's views now give a different outlook to the position. The matter can be arranged with good will, but Signor Bissolati's resignation suggests that Baron Sonnino clings to the. secret treaty.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

RENUNCIATION BY ITALY JUSTIFIED SPEECH BY SIGNOR BISSOLATI. Milan, January 13. Signor Bissolati, Minister of Public Assistance and Pensions, attempted to make a speech in the Scala Theatre, justifying renunciation by Italy. A huge crowd for two hours made an uproar and hurled imprecations at Bissolati, who was not heard.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Rome, January 14

Signor 'Bissolati, in a. remarkable speech in Milan said: "There are some points which the Italians have placed beyond discussion, namely, the Trentino, Gorizia, Trieste, and Istria. But the Treaty of London claimed for Italy regions the annexation of which would lead Italy into a policy contrary to her interests. If the Dodecanese Islands were annexed, Italy and Greece would remain separated; but if Italy renounced Dalmatia sho should have Fiume." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FRONTIER TO AUSTRIA. (Rgc. January 16, 7.20 p.m.)

London, January I<l,

The "Daily Chronicle" states that Baron Sonnino demanded tho east coast of tho Adriatic as a frontier to Austria when Austria was still compact and formidable. Italy had now no need to fear any external enemy. The conference could moderate the Southern Slav programme if this is exaggerated. —Aus.-jS.Z. Cable Assn.

REPRESENTATION OF DOMINIONS AN IMPORTANT PRECEDENT. (Rec. January 16, 7.20 p.m.) Paris, January 15. ■ It is understood that the arrangements of the conference personnel, .besides granting tho Dominions as a whole ample representation at all sessions, provide _ extra representation for each Dominion whose interests are affected from time to time. Thus Australia's two delegates and New ' Zealand's one delegate will attend discussions on Germany's Pacific' colonies, and all the Dominions' representatives would attend in full strength at the' general conference to which the smaller nations are summoned. . Tho Dominion representatives credit Mr. Lloyd' George with this recognition of their claims, and it is considered likely to establish an important precedent for future, Imperial relations—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

DOMINION PREMIERS ATTEND IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL. Paris, January 13. The Dominion Premiers attended a meeting of the Imperial War Council at tho Hotel Majestic this morning. Mr. Lloyd .George presided.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.