PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 121, 15 February 1919, Page 9

PEACE CONGRESS

LEAGUE OF NATIONS STRONG OBJECTION TO CERTAIN CLAUSES PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL ARMY AND NAVY By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright > Paris, February 13. There is reason to believe that both France and Japan have taken stioug exception to certain clauses in the League of Nations scheme, and the Drafting Committee is at present endeavouring to reconcile the demands. There were somewhat heated discussions over the creation of an international army and navy; which is said to be opposed to the British and American theories, while France remains insistent upon something that will givo protection against the possibility of a militant Germany.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

AMERICA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE . ARMY. ' Paris, February 13. Under the amended plan for the Society of Nations, the United States will be expected to maintain an army of half a million men, to bo used where necessary. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FRENCH AND JAPANESE PROPOSALS CONFLICT BETWEEN WILSON!SM AND REALISM. * (Ree. February 14, 7.45 p.m.) Paris, February 12. Japan has proposed an r.vaendment to the League of Nations draft providing that all the countries of the world must permit free ingress to all peoples. Another amendment from Franco asks two questions—What guarantee is given for the protection of France's eastern frontier? AVhat guarantee is given that tho German vote in the United States will not use American politics in order to Kive Germany tho strongest position within the league? Obviously, neither Britain nor America' will entertain Japan's request, but France may be met by pledging each nation to provjde a certain force availablo for the maintenance of the peace of the world. The real significance of the amendments is their antagonism to President Wilson, They represent Japan's and France's way of curbing him in view of his dictatorial demands concerning (he armistice. In other words the amendments cannot. be separtaed from tho general conflict now proceeding between Wilsonism and realism.—Uitited Sorvica.

SCHEME TO SAFEGUARD FRANCE AGAINST SUDDEN GERMAN AGGRESSION. j (Rec. February 15, 1.35 a.m.) Paris, February 13. Marshal Foch recently propounded a scheme to secure Franco against sudden German aggression. He desires that tho Rhine should become Germany's military frontier. France had no desire io control the territory lying between the Rhine and the political frontier beyoud securing that it contains 110 forts, munition works, or military establishments, also that' conscription shall not bp applied within tho area. France's insistent desire for complete security is also found in her latest endeavour to secure amendment of the League, (if Nations draft. It is this which is believed > to have caused delay in the presentation of the scheme to the plenary Conference. Franco wants sonio sort of international organisation with full power to call out tho great international forco to check and punish any sudden aggression, but tho inelastic constitution of tho United States caused delay. The Americans could not givo an offhand approval, though they were willing to bring the fncts immediately before the Congress in the event of aggression, and ask Congress to decido whether the armed forces of Republic should be employed. Tho Drafting Committee is endeavouring to devise, ft clause covering tho French desires and the. American resevvations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

REDUCTION OF GERMAN ARMY NOT OPPOSED BY AMERICANS. (Rec. February 14' 10.55 p.m.) Paris, February 13. Tho American peace delegates do not oppose the reduction of the German Army, but think (hat a defiuito figure should bo set. There is a growing belief that certain differences of opinion between the Allies will bo _ satisfactorily settled, laying tho foundation for lifting the German blockade and restoring tho world to normal conditions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WAR COSTS AND DAMAGES CLAIMED BY BRITAIN. . (Rec. February 14, 11.43 p.m.) London, February 13. Mr. Bonar Law has announced that the Government has definitely instructed the British delegates to the Indemnity Commission to claim war cost sand damages. —Router.

■EFFORT TO SPEED UP AGREEMENTS WORK OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. London, February 12. Replying in tho Houso of Commons to an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, moved by Colonel Guinness, urging fuller information regarding tho Peace Conference. Mr. Lloyd George said tho Government had been trying to speed up tho agreements. He was confident that an agreement would be rcached regarding Germany's western boundary; but the eastern boundary was a different matter. Tho Conference bad unanimously deoided that tho colonies should not be restored to Germany. The Government would adhere to its pledge to insist upon indemnities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROPOSAL TO REMOVE CONFERENCE

ABANDONMENT PROBABLE. (Rec. February 14, 10.55 p.m.) Paris,- February 13. It is likely that the Americans will abandon the proposal to continue the Peace Conference outside France, on account of tlio tendency to delay tho peace agreement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

• BELGIUM'S VULNERABLE FRONTIERS Paris, February 13. Broadly speaking, Belgium is asking her Allies to place her in a favourable position territorially, so as to secure better defence. Both Franco and Belgium realise their vulnerability with mere land frontiers. Belgium would like to secure her old portion of Limburg, and, further, desires the Walloon cantons on German territory round Malmedv. She also' desires the amalgamation of Luxem-burg.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WILSON'S POPULARITY WANING FRENCH FEARS OF LENIENCY TO-. / WARDS GERMAN Y. New York, 'February 12. Tho Paris correspondent of the United Press states:—The popularity of President Wilson here has taken a huge drop. Tho French show strong resentment against him and against the British delegales, because they aro are afraid Ihey wish to show leniency towards Germany. The British are undisturbed by tlie resentment, and say if is a cose of French "nerves." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE POLISH CLAIMS (Rec. February 11, 0.10 p.m.) London, February 13. Though tho Powers at Paris have ailjusted the Cxech-Polish claims, the Teschen Pol( J s arc still unsatisfied. There is considerable ill-feeling in Poland owing lo fears that the Allies do not mean to help her. Allied mediation

lias negotiated an armistice between the Poles and Ukrainians in Lemberg.—Aus.N.Z. Cflblo Assn. LABOuiTcOMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE INDEPENDENTLY. (Rec. February 15, 9.10 p.m.) Paris, February 13. Tho International Labour Commission decided that at the Labour Conference the representatives of Governments, employers, and workers were entitled to speak and vote independently without regard to the views expressed by other representatives of their nations. This introduces an entirely new principle in the constitution of the International Conference,.with powers to draw up conventions binding on the States. Hitherto tho voting hns always been by nations. In future Labour conferences aro to meet at the capital of the League of Nations, unless a two-thirds majority decide to meet elsewhere. The office of the governing body will also be located at the league's capital.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.