PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 99, 21 January 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONGRESS

THE OPENING CEREMONY M. CLEMENCEAU APPOINTED PRESIDENT THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS . FIRST QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. January 21, 1.50 a.m.) Paris, January 18. President Poincare opened the Peace Conference. A large crowd witnessed tho arrival of the world's diplomats. The scene was without spectacular significance. The Amerioan delegates were grouped at M. Poincare's right, and the English delegates on the left. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Ree. January 21, 1.50 a.m.) Paris, January 18. President Poincare welcomed the delegates. He said he saw in the decision to hold, the conference in Paris the homage of all the nations represented towards the country which moro than any other had endured tho sufferings of war. Ho referred to_ the successive entry of the Allies into the struggle,. and felicitated each nation's efforts individually, specially paying a tributo to Britain.and her dominions. The conference listened, standing, while a sense of awful responsibility seemed to descend and cause a thrill of earnestness.

: President Wilson moved that M. Clemenceau be permanent president. He said the conference must- bo regarded, ns the supreme crowning of diplomatic history. Never had so many nations been represented with a view to settling' problems. He paid a, tributo to M. Clemenceau's fitness.for tho position of president. Mr. Lloyd George supported Hie motion, referring to M. Clemenceau as "the greatest young man of France. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. _ M. Clemenceau, replying, said the ambitions of those assembled were great. They wished to avoid a repetition of the world catastrophe. All must remain united if the League of Nations was to be practicable. He added that lie had consulted two eminent jurists on the penal responsibility of the Kaiser. Their reports would be submitted to all the delegates, As regards the responsibility for the enemy s crimes in wartimo, all .tho Powers invited would 'submit' memoranda upon the question. The question of the League of Nations would head the agenda for tho next sitting. ■ The conference then adjourned — Router.

REVICTUALLING LIBERATED AND ■ -ENEMY TERRITORY

SUPREME COUNCIL APPOINTED.

". (Rec. January 21, 1.20 a.m.) ' London, January 19. Official: The Associated Governments have established, a Supreme Council consisting of representatives of France, Italy, the United States, and Britain, to deal with the food, finance, and shipping resources in connection with the revictualliug and the supply of liberated and enemy territory, and to coordinate such supplies with supplies for the Allied and neutral countries. At the instance of the War Cabinet Lord Reading and Sir J. Beale will represent Britain for the time being on the Council, and will leave London immediately for Paris. The American representatives will be Messrß. Hoover and Norman Davis. The French will be MM. Clementel and Yilgrain. The Italian representatives are arriving in Paris.

Certain emergonoy measures have already been taken whereby assistance, 'has been rendered to Serbia and Rumania. Concerning Austria and Germany an inter-Allied Commission has been working for some time, Sir W. Beveridge, of the "Food Ministry, having met representatives of Vienna and the Austro-German territories at Berne, the commission since proceeding to Vienna and Prague. The food situation in those territories is serious and rendered'more serious by transport and financial difficulties. _ hr the interim arrangements are being made-for the supply of a certain quantity of foodstuffs. iSome. supplies have , already been sent to Vienna. Further action .will doubtless .be required when the commission reports to the Supreme Council.' The Associated Governments are fully alive to the importance of the problems/of supplies. There is ; every reason to hope that the Supreme Council will shortly be able to establish a comprehensive scheme dealing with the whote situation.—Aus.-N,Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter, ; THE PUBLICITY QUESTION ' VIEWS OF THE JOURNALISTS. London, January 17. A meeting of journalists attending the conference decided to the importance of full publicity. The Americans favoured the admission r.i journalists to all the sessions. The British representatives suggested thai; semiofficial representatives of e:ich nation should attend the conferences and report them. A resolution was carried asking the British Government to secure permission for Sir George R;ddell to attend the conference whenever possible and to confer with the Press representatives on the proceedings. The Italian journalists stated that they favoured the British attitude.

' After the meeting a committee, representing all nations, drafted a jcint petition, which is to be presented to the conference to-daj. Fifty journalists later attended a meeting at the invitation of the conference. An official representative explained why it was necessary to preserve secrecy in certain discussions. Publicity in somo cases might put a weapon into the enemy's hands. An American spokesman demanded the fullest publicity, in accordance with President Wilson's first point. Sir George'Riddell announced the, resolution of the British Press delegation.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESIDENT WILSON FAVOURS AN OPEN CONFERENCE. (Rec! January 20, 5.5 p.m.) . New York, January 17. ,The New York "Evening Mail's" correspondent states that President Wilson told the' French, Italian, and Japanese delegates that he favours an open conference, in accordance with his fourteen points. It is felt that President Wilson will oppose mightily 3, secret conference.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ZEALAND'S DELEGATES ARRIVAL IN LONDON. London, January 19. The Hon. W. F.'Massey and Sir Joseph Ward and party have arrived. All are well— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. SINGLE DELEGATE CONTRARY TO EARLIER UNDERSTANDING. / (Rec. January 20, 7.25 p.m.) London, January 19. Many New Zealnndors welcomed Mr. Massey and 'Sir Joseph Ward on arrival at Paddington. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed in London, stated that they wore dissatisfied that Now Zealand had only, one; delegate at .the conference.

This was quite contrary to the earlier understanding with the British Government, but they preferred not to discuss the matter until they had seen the authorities on Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. * REPRESENTATION OF FRENCH POSSESSIONS/ Paris, January 17. Some of the Parisian newspapers, referring to the separate representation of the British Dominions, declare that on the same basis the French possessions are entitled to delegates'.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

MONTENEGRINS SENDING A DELEGATION TO PARIS. London, January 16. The Montenegrins, who are revolting against the presence of Serbians in the country, will send a delegation to Paris to ask that Amorican troops shall be sent to preserve order in Monte-negro.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE SITUATION IN RUSSIA

EVIDENCE TO BE TAKEN BY A COMMITTEE. Paris, January 16. It is understood that a committee of six representatives of the principal Allies will examine the situation in Russia. Representatives of the Southern Russian States and also of the Omsk Govr crnmont will give evidence before the committee. Various Russian personages now in Paris, who have been grouped under tho presidency of Prince Lvoff, will also make representations.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

AMERICAN DELEGATION'S VIEW. (Ren. January 20, 5.5 p.m.) NOW York, January 17. The New York "Sun's" Paris correspondent etatoa that the American Peace Delegation is now showing willingness to reorganise the Soviet _ regime in Russia, but favours sending a commission to Russia to investigate conditions there. ' They also talk of inviting representative Soviets' to oomo to Paris and present their case. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ' '