PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 100, 22 January 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS

M. POINCARE'S OPENING SPEECH i BRITAIN'S PRODIGIOUS WAR EFFORTS CONFERENCE'S NOBLE TASK TO INTRODUCE HARMONY INTO THE WORLD By Telegraph—Press AB6ociaAion-Oopyrißht

Paris, January 18. ■ Mr. A. J. Fraser states rhat 11 the Peace Conference M. Poiucaro wade a passing referenco to Germany's effort to detach England. The latter held by her idea of justice, and Britain and her dominions and colonies engaged in the conflict. These dominions, with Britain, accomplished prodigious efforts to bring the war to a triumphant termination. M. Poincare proceeded to pay a tribute to other , nations and countries, with a special wilogintn on President Wilson and 1 America s intervention. This was a great political and military event. They came_ to Europe' to help to have civilisation. We had gained a complete viotory over a powerful enemy, who, in older to prevent irremediable disaster, had oh-, tained an armistice. _ We ji'ere now relieved from imperialistic conquest, and were now met to deal out justice in matters of terroritory, finances, and economics in such'a way as would not encourage the recurrence of such a crimo. The nations must not be exposed to aggressions and' menaces. "The "Conference must seek to introduce the greatest possible harmony in the world. Immortal glory will attach to all the nations and men who collaborate in this noble task." . "After enormous sacrifices, for which France had not the slightest responsibility," continued tho President, "the delegates of the Great Powers had assembled to impose - justice on those* who were guilty of the unprecedented crime. They had all the qualities for the establishmAt of a just peace, and humanity had confidence that they would not violate its rights. They possessed information which proved wlio' had originated the drama which had agitated the world. The Central Empires had secretly and complioitly invented odious protests to pass over Serbia's body to the East, and through Belgium, to the heart of' France." The President concluded, "I leave you now to your grave deliberations, ana declare the Conference of Paris opened."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

-SCHEME FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS TO BE UNFOLDED BY PRESIDENT AVILSON. '. . , ■ Paris, January 19. Mr. A. J. Fraser says it is understood on good authority that President Wilson will unfold a concrete scheme for a League of Nations, with a view to enabling men like Lord Robert Cecil, General Smuts, and M. Bourgeois'to draw up a definite, constitution. President Wilson's scheme embodies many of the important'features of the British proposals, and generally proceeds along the lines suggested by General Smuts. The American, scheme provides for arbitration, with compulsory measures' to prevent the outbreak of war. Germany and Russia will be taken in when they are stabilised, ' and the league will afford every possible'assistance to both-nations. The President feels that peace in Europe ti-ill be useless with half of Europe still ablaze. 'It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George agrees witli many of President Wilson's proposals.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GERMAN BLOCKADE TO BE RIGIDLY MAINTAINED.. Paris, January 19. Mr. A. J. Fraser states:—"The representatives of the Allied Powers hive resolved to maintain the German blockade with the utmost rigidity, although at the instance of America some relief may. be afforded to meet the shortage of fats in the Central Empires. The blockade against the mails'"'will continue drastically; otherwise'. Germanowned securities, from which much of the initial indemnities, must come, would he likely to disappear. The Conference, as indicated by M. Clemenceau will devote its early sittings to the discussion of the League of Nations. I learn that during the past week a great deal of work was accomplished in this direction, and something like a practical scheme was evolved, only requiring the finishing touoh of the'full Conference. During these preliminary discussions, a sense of disappointment was felt in certain quarters with President Wilson's purely academic, viows on the 'subject. Some of the delegations optimistically expected something like a clear-out scheme from President Wilson, instead of a nebulous idealistic conception. It is believed, however, that the conversations between the Allied Powers resulted in solid bases being laid for the superstructure.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE QUESTION OF INDEMNITIES DIVERGENCES OF OPINION, London, January 17. , The "Morning Post's" , special correspondent at Paris states that the divergences of opinion at the Conference now centre in the feeding of Gerr many and the question of indemnity, which are matters of the greatest difficulty. President Wilson always favoured the payment by Germany for the damages caused by the war, hut he is' nnwillmg to acquiesce to an indemnity in addition. The English delegates more or less agree with President Wilson on this point, but France has drawn up a careful account of her losses from every source, and will shor% present the bill. It is understood' the Conference will not discuss the freedom of the seas •question.

It is believed that China is protesting against having only two seats. Five of her delegatos have arrived, including the Foreign Minister. The Chinese regard Japan as their principal opponent, and deny the Japanese Government's recent statement that Chinese and Japanese interests will bo represented in common.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. HUGHES IN CHARGE OF THE QUESTION. . (Rec. January 21, 10.15 p.m.) Paris, January 18. . It is understood that Britain has asked Mr. W. M. Hughes to take charge of the whole indemnity question for the Empire.—United .Service. FRHH)OM~OFTiIE SEAS BRITISH ATTITUDE DECIDED UPON. Paris, January 20. v The Premiers of the dominions and MV. Lloyd George have had a seriel of conferences, and have reached an agreement as to the British attitude on the subject of the freedom of tho spas.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn.

THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM

Paris, January 2D. The Conference has debated! the Russian problem. M« Noiilene, French-

Minister to Russia, will address it on the situation in Archangel at the next session, and the Danish Minister, Mr. Savemvi, from Petrograd, will also speak.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Ree. January 21, 8.45 p.m.)

Paris, January 18

It is expected that the Peace Conference will consult the Russian representatives now in Paris. The French Government adheres to its decision to have no dealings with the Bolshevik Government, but other countries hope to find a way to include it in the deliberations' without _ departing from their abhorrent attitude., towards the Bolsheviki's terrorism. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIK REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE EXCLUDED. (Rec. January 22, 1.30 a.m.) Paris, January 20. The Council on the RAissiau National and Democratic Conditions, in a note to M. Pichon (French Minister of Foreign Affairs), approves the exclusion of Lenin and Trotsky representatives from the conference, declaring that any compromise with Bolshevism would bo a capitulation to' a worse scourge than German militarism. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

ALLIED STATESMEN CONFER. (Rec. January 22, 1.30 a.m.)

Paris, January 20. Mr.' A. J. Fraser states that there was no formal'meeting of the Conference to-dav. The Allied Premiers and Foreign' Ministers and President Wilson conferred on the Russian • situa-tion.—-Aus.-N.Zi Cable Assn.

"HATRED STILL HOWLS IN EUROPE"

AMERICAN UNDERSTANDING OF

THE WAR SITUATION. Paris, January iO. President Wilson dined with the Senate.- M. Dubost,- President of the' Senate, in welcoming him as the protagonist of the sway, of moral forces against the physical, said, ' Hatred still howls in Europe, 'and the task of preventing anarchy is tremendous." _ President Wilson, in reply, said there undoubtedly was a time when the' United States did not understand the war situation. That was a'time of deep anxiety for France. Now that the period of full understanding was reached', America was fast friends with France. The world l . must organise against perils such as France had withstood.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn.

THE CLAIMS OF GREECE

M. VENIZELOS INTERVIEWED.

(Rec. January 22, 1.30 a.m.) Paris, January 20. M.' Venizelos (Premier of Greece), in an interview by the "Temps," said that Greece claims Thrace. Ho admits that this would deprive .Bulgaria of access to the Aegean Sea, hut'says that "Bulgaria's economic interests are not essential enough to induce Greece eternally to suffer' the domination of an insatiable neighbour." M. 'Venizelos believes that Constantinople will be internationalised. All the East-em Mediterranean islands should return to Greece. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANY'S COLONIES DR. SOLF HOPES FOE, RECOVERY OF PART, Berlin, January 17. Dr. Solf, in a speech in Westjphalia, advocated' the League of Nations. He said he hoped, on the strength of the Wilsonian programme, that Germany would at least recover part of her colo-nies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .

AUSTRALIA'S CLAIM TO PACIFIC

ISLANDS. Paris, January 20,

A great stir has be'sn caused by Mr. W. M. Hughes's declaration that the American- Press will refuse to be muzzled by the Conference on questions in which Australia is concerned. He is pressing Australia's claim to the German islands south of the equator.— 'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; , JAPAN NOTIiKING REWARD 'London, January 17. Baron Makino, one of the Japanese Peace delegates, has arrived at Liverpool-. ' He said! that the Japanese wei - e in sympathy and Viearty agreement with their Allies and friends in. England, America, and Europe on the broad principles laid down for the guidance, of the Conference. Japan had lived on the outer edge of the huge maelstrom, and knew little of its horrors; lut she was proud, of her Allies. Japan did not seek reward, but looked forward with confidence to a brighter and better future.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. HUGHES CAUSES AGITATION BY REMARKS REGARDING JAPAN (Rec. January 22, 1.30 a.m.) Paris, January 20. Considerable agitation has been roused in certain quarters by the .outspoken statement of Mr. Hughes in an interview with an American paper. Air.' Hughes said: "If we don't get fair treatment ■ concerning the Pacific Islands I" will not hesitate to appeal to the publio opinion of the Allied countries. The Japanese are a highly intelligent people,: but their ways are not our ways. We would regard with suspicion any geographical advance of Japan towards Australia.-'—United Service.

GERMANY'S DELEGATES

Zurich, January 17. Munich newspapers state that, the German delegates to the Peace Conference will be Prince Lichnowski, Count Brockdorff, Count Arco. and the Socialist, Herr Kautsky.-rAus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. , "DEMOCRACY" GERMANY'S WATCHWORD NOW. i (Rec. January 21, 8.45 p.m.) ( Copenhagen, January 18. Speaking at Cassel Sckeidemann said that.ho and Brockdorff would be the leaders of tho Gorman peace ■ delegation. , It was essential that he should participate in order to show tho world that domocraoy was now Germany's watchword.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RESTRICTIONS UPoTcORRESPONDENTS WHY THEY WERE DEMANDED. London, January 17. An inoideiit which acted as a stimulus to M. Clomenceau's demand for restrictions upln the correspondents at Versailles arose out of impudent cablegrams sent to' New York napers regarding differences of opinion which are non-existent.

FRENCH COLONIES TO BE REPRESENTED. • (Rec. January 22, 1.30 p.m.) Paris, January 18. It is semi-officially announced that •the French colonies will be represented at the Conference similarly to the British.—United Service.. AERIAL SERVICE BETWEEN PARIS AND LONDON. London, January 17. A regular aeroplane' passenger and postal service between Paris and London in connection with the Conference will begin on Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.