PEACE CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 114, 7 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE

REPARATION FOR WANTON DAMAGE MUST BE FULL AND AMPLE BELGIUM'S CLAIM TO COME FIRST By Telegraph-PreEs Association-Copyright London, February 4. Sir Foster Fraser, writing in the 'Evening Standard," states: Conference .has determined to exact full and ample reparation for unjustifiable damage. A sharp distinction is drawn between damage due to legitimate warfare and wanton damage. Belgium and Serbia hare completed detailed claims for reparation. It will be difficult to allocate the responsibility for the Serbian claims between Bulgaria and Austria, as the lot ter empire does not exist. Belgium will receive the first reparation. France i? making up a considerable bill for outrages and tho deliberate destruction of property, but has abandoned the demand for the return of the indemnity paid to Germany after the war of 1870-71. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. (R*c. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 5. The members of the Reparation Committee met and exchanged views.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. TO RESTORE WAR'S DEVASTATIONS RESOURCES OF ALL THE ENEMIES INSUFFICIENT. London, February 4. Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice, writing from Paris to the "Daily Chronicle," says that it is becoming abundantly clear that neither Germany nor all our enemies together will be able to find the resources necessary to set the world on its feet again. Very little is expected from Austria, Bulgaria, or Turkey, and it is doubtful whether we shall be able to wring sufficient from Germany to restore the material damage done' in France, Belgium, Serbia, and Rumania. Possibly Great Britain may obtain some shipping to compensate for her losses at sea, and it is possible that Germany to some extent may meet the Bill by territorial adjustments, such as the allocation of the Saar Valley coalfields to France, to compensate for the destruction of the Lens coalfield?. Other similar arrangements are contemplated.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FINANCIAL PROBLEM

ALLTES MUST WORK OUT.THEIR OWN SALVATION. (Rec. February C, 5,5 p.m.)

London, February i. The "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent says he sees little prospect of indemnities. The seizure of the German colonies as compensation finds universal acceptance, but will not solve the financial problem, particularly that of France, who staked her all in 191G-17. The colonies will long be unproductive. The Saar Valley will take a long time to exploit. The Allies are faced with the prospect of working out their own financial salva-tion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Ass-n.

BRAZIL'S CLAIMS Paris, February i, Brazil will probably claim the right to retain forty-three German merchantmen, valued at and payment of ..£6,000,000 deposiled in German'banks for coffee purchased before the war, If the conference decides on nn indemnity for war expenditure, Brazil will claim ten millions steeling.—Aus.-N.Z. .Cable Assn. PUNISHMENT OFFENDERS ' ' THE BRITISH VIEW. •• (Rec. February G, 11.J0 p.m.) London, February i. Sir Gordon Hewnrt informed journalists in Paris that the British view of the punishment of enemy offenders is that, however highly placed, they must be made to suffer suitable punishment. A great mass of valuable information has already been collected'and sifted, and this is continuing without pause.—Reutor. THE MANDATORY SYSTEM ITS DIFFICULTIES DISCUSSED BY THE PRESS, i London, February i. Tho newspapers nre discussing tho difficulties of making the mandatory system ft reality. Among other points, they, ask whether all the members of the Leaguo of Nations will contribute jo recoup the cost when tho league enjoins a certain form of administration upon a mandatory Stato, for example, Australia, in connection with tho Pacific. Tho "Manchester Guardian" draws a sharp distinction between a condominium and trusteeship. Tangier, Samoa, Egypt, and the New Hebrides are ijot examples of trusteeship but of multiple control. All experience shows this works badly, tho Governments sharing in tho condominium intrigue against each other. Trusteeship avoids this vice, putting all administration into the hands of one State. While tho conditions laid down by the league are observed there will be no interference with the trustee Power, but an appeal lies.to the leaguo when there ie a breach of trust by the trustee. Thus tho league is a great, international Court of Chancery.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

• MR. MASSEY'S ARGUMENT AGAINST THE SYSTEM ? DIFFICULTIES OF FINANCE. (Rec. February 6, 8.25 p.m.) Paris,. February I. Although Mr. Ma?sey's main argument against the mandatory system was ; the opportunity it would give for Gert man economic and social, and ultimately • military, penetration, he also searchingly ; analysed.the financial position, claiming ■ that no State could vigorously develop a country if it had only revocable mandatory rights A careful examination of this point resulted in an interesting clause in the provisional League of Nar tions scheme, providing that in the 5 ovent of a deficit in the cost of admin- , istering League of Nations' territory, any . mandatory country can apply to the . league for the whole of the deficit, the [ .members of the league being bound to [ make a proportional contribution. Difficulties immediately suggest themselves. • Presumably the league would send audi- '. tore, and expert? to examine the reason for the deficit, involving lengthy travelling and a prying investigation. Some members of the league may contend that the administration has been weak, and stupid auditors .may make a trenchant report- affecting party politics in the ! mandatory State. The question of a re- ! vision or revocation of the mandate may arise. These difficulties are being considered patiently with a view to a solution. 1 —United Service. AUSTRALIAN IRRITATION NOT ABATING. London, February i. The "Daily Express's" correspondent at Paris states that the Australian irritation regarding the provisional, arrangement in connection with the colonies does, not <vbate. The general criticism here is that the congress has met tho colonial and Russian problems with tentative and unsatisfactory proposals.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANNUAL REPORTS TO RE FURNISHED TO THE LEAGUE. (Rec. February C, 9.35 p.m.) Paris, February 5. It is understood that Mr. Hughes disputes tho statement that the mandatory principle was. accepted by the Imperial War Cabinet in December. It is stated that the comproniise agreement as to the mandatory policy consists of eight articles-, including a provision for the populations of the Ottoman Empire to select their own mandatory Power. The policy also insist' that the mandatory for .the Pacific colonies, and the J

West African territory shall furnish the league with an annual report.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AMERICA'S IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS. (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, I'ebruary 4. General Maurice, in an interview, stated: "For the real efficiency of the league and the territorial commitments outside her own continent, it is absolutely vital that the United States should assume the moral leadership of the league. America's most important contributions to the league are financial c,;id military. It is certain that we shall liot obtain sufficient funds from Germany to , reconstruct Europe, develop the German colonies, or finance the new republics. (We are dependent on the United States for money. The British and United States fleets will be the chief weapons of the league to enforce the mandates by the application of economic pressure."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PREAMBLE OFFICIALLY ADOPTED. (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 5. The preamble and two articles of the Society of Nations' constitution have been officially adopted. A special commission is considering the question.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. February 6, 10.15 p.m.) London, February 5. The Commission's draft plan for the League of Nations consists of three thousand words, comprising the preamble and twenty-two clauses. It is unsigned and bears the single title "The Covenant."— Aus. r N.Z. Cable Assn. ■>, NO MODIFICATION OF TREATIES OF ALLIANCE INVOLVED. (Rec. February 7, 0.55 a.m.) Lomjon, February 5. Mr. Balfour, speaking to correspondents on the constitution of the League of Nations, said it would ir.rorre no modification of treaties the Alliance previously concluded. Regarding the question as to whether special coalitions of several peoples could be formed inside the League, he said that the Peaco Conference alone could decide.—Renter. JAPAN WILL JOIN THE LEAGUE. (Rec. February 6, 7.45 p.m.) New York, February 4. A Paris message states that the indications are that compulsory arbitration will not be included in the constitution of the League of Nations. The Japanese delegate declare that they are in accord ivith the principles, and Japan will join the league.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND, PRESIDENT WILSON

RETURN HOME NEXT WEEK. (Rec. February 6, 7.25 p.m.) Paris, February i. Mr. Lloyd George will return to England and President Wilson will sail for America next week. A plenary session may consider the League of Nations ques-? tion before the President's departure.— Aus.-N.Z. Caible Assn. COMMISSIONSMNVESTIGATIONS SUBJECTS REQUIRING LONG CONSIDERATION. . (R«c. February C, 10.15 p.m.) Paris, February 4. Tho Australian Pits" corespondent states that President Wilson expects to return' to Paris towards the end > of March, when the various investigations of the commission; will be sufficiently advanced to enable the peace terms to be drafted and submitted to the Germans. The defining of the Czccho-Slovak boundaries in Austria-Hungary is a matter of considerable complexity; also, how to secure a satisfactory access to the sea. The American Committee in Paris is drafting its views on the freedom of the sens, but the subject in all its ramifications .is likely to require such lengthened consideration by tho various nations as to nocessitato tho conference confining its attention to the securing of pence. Itmay 'bo found necessary to remit the question to the League of Nations for settlement. Some vaguo hints are circurtnted in reference to a weakening in the desjre for reparation. It may he definitely stated that' the British delegates are determined to secure tho fullest reparation from Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.

THE GREEK CLAIMS

REFERRED TO AN EXPERT

COMMITTEE. * (Rec. February G, 7.25 p.m.) * Paris, February 4. The council further heard the Greek clnim, and a resolution was carried referring tho claims to an expert committee, consisting of ,two representatives, each for Britain, America, France, and Italy. Tho committee will reduce the questions for decision within the narowest limits and make recommendations for a just settlement of tho question. Tho Czecho-Slovaks will be heard to-morrow. Probably the council will adjourn at tho week-end for a short reces.s.-Aus'.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THE LONDON TREATY

CONDITION ON WHICH ITALY WOULD DISREGARD IT.

New York, February 3. The '"New York Herald's" correspondent at Paris is informed from a reliable source that Italy is willing to disregard the London Treaty as soon as it is evident that the League of Nation? will bring'about fair territorial readjustment. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH FOOD MISSIONS

LEAVE FOR WARSAW, TRIESTE, AND BUCHAREST. (Rec. February 6, 11.40 p.m.) London, February i. A communique from Paris states that three British' Food Missions, , the auspices of the Supreme War Council of Supply and Relief, have left for Warsaw, Trieste, and Bucharest.—Router.

THE INVITATION TO RUSSIA

AGREEMENT WITH ENTENTE DESIRED. '

(Rec February G, 9.35 p.m.)

London, Febr,uarv 5. A Russian wireless- message acknowledges the Entente's suggestion that the Bolsheviki should confer a,t Prinkipo (one of the Princes Islands). They have not received a formal invitation, but are ready for all measures to reach agreement with the Entente.—Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.