THE PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 106, 29 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONGRESS

LEAGUE OF NATIONS DISCUSSION DISPOSAL OF CONQUERED TERRITORIES BRITAIN'S DECISION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, January 25. The British decision to leave the importatlt task of disposing of Jlesopotamia, Palestine, and the German colonies to the League of Nations adds enormously to the interest of to-day's open discussion. Although it is unofficial; the newspapers accept the accuracy of tho report, which arrived too late for general comment. The. headlines, however, indicate that it will meet with vigorous opposition in some quarters. The "Daily News," in a brief leader, says:—"The decision has established the league in its true place ill relation to the Conference, arid will invest the whole of the proceedings with an atmosphere, of confidence and good will. By tho refusal of a powerful nation to take advantage of its possession oi valunfole territory, the decision may well prove the greatest victory of the war."' The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent states that President Wilson recently formed an idea, of treating the colonies ns neutral States under tlie guardianship of the league. French official circles considered the scheme unpractical, and it is not believed that America will persist in supporting it, especially after the conversations in London, where it is understood the British and American standpoints were drawn nearer together. General Maurice, writing from Paris, says that those who regard the League of Nations as an amiable dream are explblting the irritation of the French Press regarding Russia. Britain, by her readiness- to apply the principle of holding Conquered territories in trust ,fo'r tho benefit of their inhabitants under a general "supernational" authority, adopts the best method of soothing this irritation. It muet be remembered that Britain holds more conquered territory than any of her allies. It is desiroble_ to remove the suspicion that we, having got all we want, are nov.- seeking concessions for others and not giving anything in return.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. MOST IMPORTANT~ioiNT IN AMERICA'S PLAN. ' (Roc. January 29, 1.20 a.m.) New York, January 26. The "Globe's" Paris correspondent states that the British, delegates conceded the most important point in America's plan for the League of Nations, namely, the constitution of a central administrative body sitting continuously, and composed of one representative from each Great Power, and limited to the number of representatives nominated by the groups ot smaller nations. The French only are still undecided concerning the acceptance of certain minor phasee of the plan.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LABOUR CONGRESS'S PROGRAMME. (Reo. January 29, 1.20 a.m.) Paris, January 28. The United Press correspondent interviewed Mr. Arthur Henderson at Berne. He declared that tho International Congress of Labour hoped, that the peace delegates' would endoree the .following programme: A League of Nations, including Germany, international Labour charter, 'securing Icompulsdry military service, general disarmament, prohibition of manufacture of war materials, excopt by international control exclusively, and moral Intervention in Russian affaira.'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONTROL OF WATERWAYS AND RAILWAYS. Paris, January 26. . Mr. A. J. I'raser states that possibly the Rhine, the Danube, the Vistula, the Scheldt, tho Struma, the Congo, and the Amazon rivers, will come under the control of the League of- Nations, as well as the Berlin-Bagdad, Cape to Cairo, and Siberian railways, and shorter lines serving the Balkan countries. Possibly the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia will be subjeot to international control.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE'S METHOD OF WORK. London, January 23. The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent states that the method of the working of the Peace Conference is now clear. Five Powers,- represented by ten men, formulate a programme and arrive at decisions upon the various questions, which are embodied in resolutions for consideration at the plenary sittings. The correspondent states authoritatively that the.League of Nations negotiations are progressing most satisfactorily. He has been assured in reference to the disarmament proposals that, they will first be applied to the German armies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DELEGATES ANXIOUS TO SAVE TIME. (Rec. January 29, 0.10 a.m.) London, January 26. The "Observer's" correspondent states!—" The indications are that the heads of the Governments here realise that there must be no longer a waste of time over the theoretical part of the peace business. 'The most striking fact in this respect is perhaps that the British dominions' representatives were heard concerning the German"'olonies. It is deducible from this that the territorial questions will be taken by the Conference simultaneously with the League of Nations' debates. I understand that a majority formed from ineidp the delegations from the fire leading Powers favour that course, hence the questions of territorial deliminatlons both in and outside of Europe are likely to be delegated to special committees forth-with."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITED FRONT OF GREAT AND SMALL POWERS, (Reo. January 29, 1.45 a.m.) , Vancouver, January 27. The Peace Conference n.ade a distinct gain flu Monday, nineteen of the small Powers giving full adhesion to the organisation formulated by the five great Powers, securing a united front of the great and small Powers to set out the worlt on, the main subject before the Commission. This was largely due to the skilful direction by M. Cambon. The Groat Powers, at a simultaneous session, appointed a committee on maritime laws, which is regarded by the newspapers as embraced in President Wilson's freedom of the seas points.—Reuter. dominionFwar losses SUPREME WAR COUNCIL IMPRESSED. (Rec. January 28, 8.15 p.m.) Paris, Janjary 25. Tho British dominions' Premiers gave the Supreme War Council detailed accounts of the .war losses and privations suffered) by their countries. The information produced a deep impression, especially on MM. Clemenceau and Pichon—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTATION THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The following official message has be?n received from the New Zealand Hig'i Commissioner:—The somewhat belated arrival of the New Zealand Ministers i; regrettable, ae their absence from preliminary British and inter-Allied conferences and the first plenary meeting of the Peai:e Conference has thrust several dis;idvantfigi-s upon thn Dominion, specially respecting New Zealand's representation oud other important interests. The Ministers and their secretaries arrived in Paris, via Boulogne aiid Amiens, late on Tuesday night. The reception of the delegates, as at London, wae most cordial, and was very weloqme j&ftar ttw unique and -occasionally teizK,

pestuous voyage by the , patrol cruiser Ophir from Colon. They are now comfortably established at tho Hotel Majestic, the social headquarters of the British and Indian delegates. The Ministers were immediately, busy in overtaking arrears of important work relating to the British proposals. . The principal task confronting our delegates in the meanwhile is the question of New Zealand's representation. It is obvious that New Zealand's claim for the same representation as is given to South Africa was considerably weakened by our Ministers' absence from the important preliminary conferences. There was strong opposition from somewhat unexpected quarters to the Britiah dominions being directly represented >at the Congress at all, and the present anomalous arrangement is frankly a compromise in favour of Brazil, for diplomatic reasons. The iSiitish War Cabinet strongly urged New Zealand's interests, but failed to overcome the opposition. The matter is being keenly fought by Mr. Massey, who immediately consulted" Mr. Lloyd' George and arranged to have the questions discussed forthwith at, the Imperial War Cabinet. As regards the Congress, it is only ot tlie preparatory stage;.but it has been definitely decided to discuss first the League of Nations. Meanwhile important commissions and committees are being established. The next meeting will probably be held on Saturday. It is already clear that the British delegation has a stern tesk respecting the control of the former German colonies. Owing to lack of accommodation in Pans, four ladies of tho New Zealand Ministerial party will remain in the meantime in London. Mr. Massey was the guest of Earl and Countess Derby at luncheon at the British Embassy on Friday. THE GERMANIOLONIES HRITISH AND FRENCH PROPOSALS. Paris, January 27. It is understood that the British and French proposals regarding the German colonies includes French possession of the Canieroons, and Belgium's possession ol' v the territory West of Lake Victoria Nyanza. The strip of territory on the left bank of tho Congo ie suitabio for compensation to be given to Portugal. The Supreme Council has drawn up a programme for the constitution of committees to study economic and financinl questions. This afternoon the exchange of views, regarding the German colonies was continued, with special reference to the Pacific Ocean.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London. January 25. The "Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that Mr. Hughes has submitted a detailed scheme regarding New Guinea. Mr. Massey took the same course with respect to Samoa, and General Smnts as to German South-West Africa. ■ Sir Robert Borden also made a statement. It is understood that all pronounced against-returning the colonies to Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITAIN ANLWMEBICA IN AGREEMENT. (Rec. January 28, 7.25 p.m.) Paris, January 27. The newspapers, apropos of to-day's discussion regarding the German colonies, stuto that Britain and the United States have arrived at an agreement that certain colonies in the Pacific theoretically belong to the League* of Nations, but their actual government must be delegated to Australia and New. Zealand. Theiv can bo no question of international administration.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. '. SAMOA CHIEFS PREFER BRITISH RULE. Paris, January 27. During his address to tho Peace Council, Mr. Masspy stated that a confidential plebiscite was taken regarding New Zealand's administration among tho SaniOan -chiefs' and native leaders, and c-laiined that, it showed an overwhelming preference for British ruie, and condemnation of the German regime.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. GOVERNMENT OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. Melbourne, January 28. Mr. W. R. Watt lias sent a cablo message to Mr. Hughes stating that the Government ■ opposes the return of the Pacific colonies to Germany, and is opposing the-suggestion that the colonies should be governed by a neutral or international Commission.—Press Assn. BRITISH CONTROL ADVOCATED. (Rec. January 29, 1.20 a.m.) Paris, January 26. Tho United Press correspondent interviewed a British peace delegate, who snid that Britain should bo allowed to control the German colonies, the Dardanelles, and Mesopotamia,- with strict acconntability to the, League of Nations. Naturally, if Britain was unable to render a satisfactory account of her trusteeship it would end.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 1 THE RUs'sIaNQuESTION CONFERENCE'S DECISION UNANIMOUS. London, Jonuary 25. The "Badly Telegraph's" correspondent at Paris says that it is now permissible to say that the Conference's decision regarding Russia was unanimous, and wasreached largely uwing to the evidence, of M. Scayenius, although he favoured intervention. Then , France ultimately supported President Wilson's proposal.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, January 26. Mr. A. J. Fraser, representative of the Australian and New Zealand Press Association, writes-.—"The fact that M. Scavenius, himself an advocate of military intervention in Russia, declared that the Russians could not be trusted to fight the Bolsheviki even with tho support of Allied troops, had an pffeot on the Conference's decision regarding .Russia. Moreover, tho doniinion representatives emphatically declined to send any troops to Russia. It is reported that the Bolsheviki have, somewhat reluctantly, consented to send delegates to the Sea of Marmora."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFIRMATION OF CONFERENCE'S PROPOSAL REQUESTED. Paris, January 27. The Bolshevik Commissary for Foreign Affairs sent a wireless message to the Bolslievik representative in I Sweden asking for confirmation of tho Peace Conference's proposal for a conference. Ho declares that the proposal comes too late, as it was made when the internal situation had been fin-nlly settled; but they would not reject the principle of a conference, and were prepared to consider it carefully.—Reuter. A FAVOURABLE KEKLY. (Rec. January 28, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, January 25. The Bolshevik Government at Moscow has fnvouvably replied to the invitation of the Conference, but regard Princes lehiid as too distant,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WARNING TO EASTERN GOVERNMENTS QUARRELS AMONG THE NEW NATIONS. Paris, January 25. The warning of the . Conference to Eastern Governments is likely to be productive of good. Lately there have been difficulties, amounting sometimes to armed conflicts, between Serbs and Italians, Serbs, and Rumanians, Ukrainians and Poles, Poles and Czechs, Georgians and Armenians, and Arabs and As- j Syrians. It is known that the Hungarian Government is- preparing to profit by the quarrels between the new nations that are forming in her territory.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Aesn. RIGHTS OF THE SMALLER NATIONS KING NICHOLAS OF MONTENEGRO INTERVIEWED. (Rec. January 2D, 1.20 a.m.) New York, January 2G. The United Press correspondent interviewed King Nicholas of Montenegro at Paris. King Nicholas said that the smaller nations should enjoy the same rights of self-determination as tlie larger nations. Serbia was attempting, to forcibly mines Montenegro. "1 am anxious to see Montenegro's future assured under President Wilton's principk?, even if it results in my abdication. I urged the Montenegrins not to oppose the Serbians, and so avoid the further shedding of blood."—Aue.-N.Z. CaMe A6siij ,