PEACE COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 117, 11 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE COUNCIL

HEAVY WORK FOR THE COMMISSIONS EVIDENCE AGAINST INSTIGATORS OF WAR CRIMES REPARATION QUESTIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Paris, February 8. With the absence of two important figures (Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson), the Peace Conference will apparently enter upon a quiet period so far as publicity is concerned. Nevertheless, the remaining members of the council will be fully occupied in examining intricate territorial claim? raised during the past fortnight, upon which the full council will adjudicate on resuming its sessions. The various commissions will also have heavy work to get through, especially those on reparation and the enemy's crimes. The latter commission has a herculean task. In its capacity as grand jury it will have an immense amount of evidence to sift in establishing prima facie cases against the instigators, of tho war and of criminal acts against the usages of war. Not the least difficult task is that of securing direct evidence against those in high places, in the enemy countries. A great mass of evidence of sorts was accumulated during the war. The issues ibeforo the Reparation Commission are better defined, because something like a reasonably accurate statement of the losses of the various. countries devastated by the war is available. Probably the initial difficulty of the commission will lie in the definition' of the word reparation, as to whether it is to cover not merely the material damage through invasion and acts by sea and air, but the finanoial burdens case on the countries which sent armies abroad- to fight on the battlefields of Europe. The strictest secrecy is being maintained over,the commission's work. This wa9 emphasised by last week's "Daily Mail" incident, which had an effect upon members of the conference who had previously shown signs of garrulity, k . The League of Nations Commission is Boarcely less secretive. It has had several well-known schemes tunder discussion. It may be said that the plan which it will develop will not belong to any one nation's scheme, but will be composed of the 'best features of all. Various forocas.ts havo been published as to its work. For instance, we nro told that rules of warfare have been decided which include the abolition of poison gas and the bombardment of unfortified' cities. It will probably be Tuesday before the draft is ready for submission to a plenary session. Meanwhile certain clauses have been (relegated to a sub-committee for clarification.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT .WILSON'S DEPARTURE POSTPONED. London, February 8. As the drafting of the constitution for tho League of Nations is not completed, President Wilson has postponed his departure for America until February 17. —Renter. MR, LLOYD GEORGE IN LONDON. (Rec. February 10, 5,5 p.m.) London, February 9. Mr. Lloyd George has arrived in London. He announced that the conference was progressing well'.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE REPARATION COMMISSION MR. HUGHES TO ARGUE THE BRI--1 TISH EMPIRE'S CASE. (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, Fobruary 9. The British Reparation Commission, of which Ma'. W. M. Hughes is chairman, settled its definition of tho word reparation. Mr. Hughes, who is consulting his Government, will subsequently submit tho Australian claim, and when the Allied Reparation Commission's report is .furnished to the conferencb Mr. Hughes will argue the British Empire's case.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPORT OF SERBIA'S FINANCIAL RUIN BRITISH MEMORANDUM AS TO THE COST OF THE AVAR, (Reo. February 10, 8.10 pra.) Paris, February 8. A number of memoranda has reached the Reparation! Commissions, including a striking report detailing Serbia's financial ruin. Franco states that one-third of her factories have been destroyed by the war. Mr. Hughes presented a British memorandum setting out the whole cost of the war, including that of the Dominions, and arguing for .an interpretation of the Fourteen Points as permitting the repayment of the war's expenses to the limit of Germany's capacity. This memorandum, which was framed by a strong committee in Londou, including a number of great bankers, is regarded as convincing. It does not prevent the Dominions presenting separate memorand". The commission appointed a sub-com-initteo to examine— (1) The amounts due from Germany. (2) Germany's financial ability to pay. (3) How the payment can be guaranteed—United Service. LEAGUE OF NATIONSCONSTITUTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLICATION. ' ! New York, February 8. ; The Paris correspondent of the "New York Tribune" states that the constitution of the League of Nations will be published simultaneously in Paris, London, and AVashington,' when .President Wilson arrives in New York.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMISSION NEARING- THE END OF ITS TASK. (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 9. The League of Nations Commission is nearing the end of its task. A few matters referred to the Drafting Committee still require the commissions's approval. The Drafting Committee consists of M. Bourgeois, Lord Robert Cecil, Mr. Huysman, and M. Venizelos. They will meet on Sunday to prepare the finai leport,— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A GERMAN VIEW OF THE SCHEME. (Rec. February 11, 1.30 a.m.) ' Weimar, February !). Professor Schucking, the international law expert, states that the Germans welcome the main features of the AngloAmerican League of Nations' scheme, but discount the policing idea, as it is expected that the nations joining must place their diminished armies at tho league's serviae when required. The' economic blockade is regarded as the principal weapon, and is generally adequate. The Government will probably send Professor Schucking to Paris in connection with the development of the league. —"The Times." SUPREME ECONOMIC COUNCIL PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT WILSON. (Rec. February 10, 5,5 p.m.) Paris, February 9. It is officially announced that in the Supremo AVar Council President Wilson moved—"That under the present conditions many questions not primarily of a military character which are arising daily, and which arc bound to become of increasing importance as time passes, (mould b? dealt with on behalf cf America and the Allies by civilian representatives of their. Governments experienced in such questions as finance, food, blockode, shipping, and raw materials. To accomplish this there shall be constituted at Pavis a Supremo Economic Council to deal with them during Hie period of the armistice. The council shall i.bsorb or replace such other existing Allied bodies and thai* powers as may be determined.

The Economic Council shall consist of not more tlntn five representatives to each. interested Government. Also, that there be added lo the present International Permanent Armistice .Commission two civilian representatives of each Government, who will consult with the Allies' High Command, but who may report direct to the Economic Council." Consideration of the motion was adjourned until Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [An unofficial report states that President Wilson's proposal was approved.] ELIMINATION OF SUBMARINES FAVOURED BY BRITISH ADMIRALTY. London, February 8. The "Daily Express" understands that the British Admiralty entirely favours the universal prohibition of submarine construction, and is also prepared to destroy all existing submarines provided that means are devised to circumvent any possible breach of the agreement.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL BEQUESTS THAT ITS DELEGATES BE HEARD ON PEACE PROBLEM. (Rec. February 11, 1.30 a.m.) London, February .9. The. Countess, of Aberdeen, who is president of the Women's.. International Council, has requested the Peace. Conference to hear the council's delegates on the peace problem—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . • THE HARMORUONFERENCE . AMEIiICA'S DELEGATES. Paris, February 8., The English delegate,' to go to the Sea of Marmora have not yet been named. America has selected Mr. William White, a Kansas Republican Progressive, and Professor Herron, a Socialist. Mr. White • represents an American newspaper syndicate in Paris, and is a typicai Western editor. Professor Herron was formerly a Nonconformist preacher in lowa, and has lived much in Switzerland, whence he kept President Wilson well informed regarding German activities. The Government of the Crimea has accepted the invitation to the Marmora conference; Georgia has refused it, whilst Omsk and Archangel show a disinclination to be represented. It is possible that the Bolsheviki may' accept the mandatory principle, placing the Baltic area in • Britain's charge.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable . Assn. REPRESENTATION OF RUSSIAN FACTIONS. New York, February 8. The Paris correspondent of the United Press states that the American and British peace delegates favour a conference with the Bolsehviki alone, biut if the other Russian factors accept the Alliens' invitation to confer at the Prince 9 Islands, the French delegates will oppose a conference iii which the other factions are not- represented—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FUTURE OF TURKEY New York, February 8. The London correspondent of the "New York Times" interviewed Mr. 0. S. Straus, former United States Ambassador to Turkey. ITe said it will 1)9 a good thing for Turkey to be under, a mandatory member of the League of ■Nations; but the United Stales is too far from Europe to undertako the work' of administration. It would be better if a small Power like Belgium were made the mandatory.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KING OF HEJAnTERRITORIAL DEMANDS New York, February 8. The '.'New York Herald's" Paris correspondent states that the French are dissatisfied with the territorial demands of the King of Hejaz. There has been compromising on many qucstionf, but the danger of losing Syria has aroused French opinion.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.