THE PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 7

THE PEACE CONGRESS

SHOULD PROCEEDINGS BE SECRET? PRESS REPRESENTATIVES PROTEST DANGER OF BIASED ESCAPING By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec," Jnnviary'l7, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, January 10. ■Mr. A. J Fraser writes that-the decision merely to issue ail official commumqne daily,. and maintain absolute . secrecy by placing an embargo deleRates against discussing the proceedings of tho Conference with the Press, occasioned a vigorous protest to. Mr. Lloyd George 'from the Empire's Press representatives. : lt has been pointed out that Secrecy strikes' a blow at President Wilson's first point, that covenants should he openly arrived at. It was also .pointed out that with -a Conference of' sixty-two delegates, representing twenty-eight separate " nations, the-prevention of leakage "was difficult, especially when some, delegates, disgruntled; by' defeat, sought to'gain the public ear. ' This would inevitably lead: to biased and inaccurate information 'escaping.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE - ; WILL PROBABLY . NOT BE SECRET. (Rec. January 17, 8.10 p.m.) ■ Paris, January 16. It is probable, that the Peace Conference will not be secret—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CORRESPONDENTS' NOT TO BE CENSORED. ■ (Hec. January-17, 7.30 p.m.) " London, January 15. ' The Press Bureau states :■ "The; Foroign Office announces that there will be no censorship on British correspondents' messages frbin Paris during the Peace Conference.I—Au's.-N'.Z.1 —Au's.-N'.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. ' •" ■ RELATIONS OF CONFERENCE AND -./• PRESS . • RUSSIAN QUESTION TO BE EXAMINED, ; (Rec.''January 17, 7.30 p.m.) ' Paris, January 16. President Wilson and the Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of ■the Allies discussed the relations of the Conference and tho Press,-, and referred; the matter to a meeting of the i'Vess and. Allied and associated Governments for an interchange ,of views concerning future methods. It was also decided that tho Governments should mutually exchange the latest information regarding Russia, with » view to. joint examination of the question. —Aus.-N.Z.- Cable • Assn.-Rcuter. REPRESENTATION OF THE POWERS,' SMALLER NATIONS' DELEGATES MAY BE REDUCED. < Parjs, January 14. A movement is believed to be under way to reduce the Representation of tho smaller nations, in order to make the Peace Congress less unwieldy. It is expedited -that the various ■ Powers will be represented according to the im-' portance of the part they-played in the war. The United States, Japan, Franco, Italy, and Britain -will- have live members eachand tho other nations from oue to three members. The Conference decided tlmt Belgium' and Serbia shall each liavo-two. 'and Brazil three, delegates. ; Russia's position is not'yet settled.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. STATUS W DOMINIONS .UK. LLOYD GEORGE EULOGISES . ' TIIEIR LONG SERVICES. . (Rec. January, 17,.7.30 p.m.) London, January 15. Mr. Keith- Murdoch, writing -from Paris, says it appears that President Wilson strongly opposes the dominions appearing as small nations, and is forcing considerable.opposition. •• -M. .Clcinunceau • cordially - supports the - British view. Mr. Lloyd George, iu an em-. . plmt-ic speech, -contrasted the dominions' long services and heavy losses with those of, certain other Powers. — United Service. - -. .. . • ; Supreme war council • .• SESSIoSVRESUMED. .• (Roc. January 17, ,11:20 p.m.) o Paris, January 16. -The Supreme War Council has. resumed its- session.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WILSON,. LLOYD - GEORGE, - AND BONAR LAW CONFER. , Paris, January 14. President Wilson "had a, prolonged conference with Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bowir'Law this afternoon "on tho question of tho German colonies and the . League of Nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' ; ITALY'S ADRIATIC CLAIMS NOT 11EC0GNISED~BY THE UNITED ■STATES. . New York, January 14. ' .The Paris correspondent" of the Chicago "News" states:—"l learn that President Wilson told Signor Orlando that the' United States would not re-' cognise Italy's .claims beyond Trent and Trieste. " Signer Orliindh' insisted -that Italy "should l have Finine, but President Wilson refused.''—Aus.-N Z, Chblo Assn. EMPLOYMENT OF WAR PRISONERS ■RECONSTRUCTION OF DEVASTATED REGIONS. Paris, January 14.' The Council of Ministers has decided that after Mtireh 20 200,000 war ' prisoners are to- be employed upon reconstruction work iii the devastated regions.- ■ " PROPOSED. GOLTRESERVE FUND MAY BE DEPOSITED IN BANK OF ENGLAND. (Rec. January 17, 8.10 p.m.) New York, January 10. ■ Tlio "New York-Tillies" Washington :correspondent states-that the establishment of a gold reserve fund, with a maximum of'five hundred million dollars (£100,000,000),- for the purpose of .facilitating foreign, exchange transactions and eliminating necessary shipment of gold between countries is being planned by the United States and the Allies' financial advisers. The question may bo brought -up at the Peaco Congress. Thb fund . would ' probably lie deposited in the Bank of England.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.