PRESIDENT WILSONS VIEWS

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

PRESIDENT WILSONS VIEWS

EMPHATICALLY EXPRESSED ON EACH QUESTION. London, January 14. . The Paris „ correspond sit of the "Daily Express" states that President AVilson carries a largo portfolio to the meetings. Ho states a definite opinion on every question raised, and puts forward his viows insistently and emphatically. There is a belief that there has been a difference of views on the armistice terms, America generally favouring a policy that will give Germany a chance to get on her legs, as nothing can be gained by pressing her too hard, while everything is to, be gained by creatine; conditions favourable to the formation of a stable Government. Great curiosity is felt rcr garding the American attitude on such questions as the future of Luxemburg, Syria, and the German colonies.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter.

RELIEF WORK AND FOOD SUPPLIES

• CONSIDERED BY SUPREME COUNCIL. (Rec. January 16, 7.20 p.m.) Paris, January 14. The third, meeting of the Supremo Council of Supply and Relief on Monday considered the present position of relief work in Belgium and Northern Prance, South-eastern Europe, and Northern Europe. Generally speaking, there is n sufficjient world . supply of food to meet the needs of the Allied and liberated territories. All possible stops are being taken to meet them and to solve the conneoted financial and transport questions. It has been agreed that all four countries should participate in the financial arrangements.

Consideration was also given to food supplies for neutrals and Bulgaria.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuier. GERMANY'S GOLD RESERVE TO BE SECURED BY THE ALLIES. (Rec. January 16, 7.20 p.m.) Paris, January 15. The Allies have taken steps to secure Germany's gold reserve, which is estimated at a hundred million sterling.—"The Times." leaguelFnations THE AMERICAnTIAN COMPLETE. (Rec. > January 16, 8.5 p.m.) Mew York, January 12. The "New York Times" Paris correspondent states that the draft American plan for the League of _ Nations is completed and will be published soon. It differs essentially from General Smuts's plan. It is expected that the American plan will be the first promulgated at the Peace Conference. The British and French will then offer counter plans.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. rGeneral Smuts, in a pamphlet' upon the position and constitution of the League of Nations, expressed the opinion that the Peace Conference should regard itself as the first meeting of the league. The prime principle of the settlement should be that, apart from Alsace-Lorraine and the German colonies, there should be no annexation of territories by any of the victorious States. Probably Finland, Poland, Czecho-Slovakia and Jugoslavia were capable of becoming independent States immediately, but Transcaucasia, Mesopotamia; Lebanon, and Syria would probably require the guiding hand of some external authority. Other countries, such as Palestine and Armenia should be controlled by the League of Nations, which might properly be regarded as the reversionary of the German, Austrian, Russian, and Turkish Empires, which had failed because they were founded on the exploitation .of weaker ' nationalities. The league must control not direotly but by nominating a particular State to act on its behalf. . Such nomination should be conditioned by the people in question having the right to choose the Power which they preferred. They should have a mandatory duty, though this could not be applied in cases where it was impossible to consult the country. In forming the league tho two extremes to be avoided were a super-State and a mere debating society. The league must .be practically effoctivcv as a system of World government. The council should be small, and composed! of five permanent members, nominated by the British Empire, France, Italy, the United States, and Japan. When Germany had a stable democratic Government she should nominate another permanent member. To theuo should be added four additional members, chosen from a panel representing the lesser Powers, such as' Spain, Hungary, and Serbia, whose nominees should serve in rotation. Thero thus would be ten members in tho council, which would resemble tho Versailles Council. No resolution of the council should bo valid unless it was .passed by more than a two-thirds . majority. General Smuts was of opinion that conscription was tho tap-root of militarism, and unless it was cut out our labours would bo in vain. The members of the league must bind "themselves not to go to war with each other until tho council had arbitrated on the dispute. This prohibition, must be guaranted by force, _in addition to an economic and financial boycott.]

BRITAIN, AND AMERICA UNITED IN AIMS.. (Rec. January 16, 8.5 p.m.) New York, January 12.

Mr. Babington Smith, Acting British High Commissioner jn the United States, said in a speech, that Frosidont Wilson's demand for a League of Nations rightly interprets tho earnest desiro of the whole world. "I am firmly convinced that there is unity in the aims of 1 Britain and the United States. Tho divergencies are merely in regard to methods. These can easily he re-conciled."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.