LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 126, 21 February 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

COVENANT OF FRIENDSHIP THE MIASMA OF INTRIGUE CLEARED AWAY PRESIDENT WILSON'S SPEECH By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright New York, February 18. - In his address at the Peace Conference on the Leagua of Nations, after reading the text of the covenant, Presi-" 1 dent Wilson said:— "It has been obvious throughout our discussion that although there are sub-, jects upon which there are individual differences of judgment in regard to the method by which the objects are to be obtained, there, is practically no point, of any serious difference of opinion or motive as to the objects we ai;e seeking. Fourteen nations are represented, and the-significance of the result_ therefore i 9 that deepest of all meanings, the anion of wills in a common purpose, a • union which cannot - resisted, and which I dare say no' nation will run the risk of attempting to resist.'* • Referring to the character of the document, the President said:— ''It is very 6imple, and in nothing so simple as in the structure which it suggests for the-League of Nations-—a body of delegates' or executive council, and a permanent secretariat. We are depending primarily and chiefly upon one great force, the moral force of the public opinion of the -world, releasing, clarifying,' and accomplishing the influences of publicity, so that sinister designs can be drawn into the open and promptly destroyed by the overwhelming light of the. universal expression, of' the condemnation of the world. Armed force is in the background; and if'moral force does not suffice, physical force shail. We have finished with annexation.? of. helpless peoples." In some instances, the President continued, such annexations were used mere-ly-for exploitation. - "It has' cne of the many distressing revelations of recent years that Germany, just happily defeated, had put intolerable bnrdi-ns and injustices upon colonies, which had been annexed in its intercut, n-ther for their extermination than for their development" In conclusion the President said: "The document makes, an end of, that. In future States will be picked which ta\ - e already shown that they can exercise conscience in this matter, 'and vi der their tutelage the helpless people? of the world will come into a new light and a* new hope. The miasma-of destruction and intrigue will be cleared away. Men are now looking eye to eye, and 6aying, 'We are brothers, and have a common purpose; We have not.realised this before; now we do; and this is. our covenant of friendship.'"~Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FRANCE WILL AH IDE BY DECISION. (llec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.), ' New York,\February 17. The United Press Paris* correspondent ■learns from a high aiith >rity that France will abide by the/decision, .whether it favours or disfavours the adoption of the league.—Aue.-N.Z, Cable Assn. LESSENING PROBABILITY OF'WARS PENALTIES FOR COMMENCING ' HOSTILITIES. (Rec. February '.'O, 5.5 p.m.) • New York, February 17. The Press points.out that the league constitution k a distinct step towards lessening the likelihood of future wars.' Some'of the papers declare that the economic ■ penalties , against/ any signatory known to be ignoring the covenants by starting hostilities would be bo severe that only a nation blinded by fury, or a spirit of militarism .would dare to: face' the consequences, There : s general satisfaction that the constitution provides for freedom of decision for individual nations belonging to the league in the event of armed force being resorted to for the purpose of enforciiii; the leaguo's mandate. "It is pointed out that the interests of. the Union of South Africa and Australia had been consulted in the provision that. South-West Africa and the South Pacific isiands will be entrusted to the care of mandatories in geographical proximity, and that the laws of tho mandatory St ; xte will apply. Ono papef says that the' constitution does not provide safeguards for peace because the signatories reserve the right of libecty of action in the use of force.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE DENOUNCED IN SENATE OVERTHROWING THE MONROE DOCTRINE, . Washington, February 19. Senator Poindexter, in the Senate, denounced the League of Nations as overthrowing the Monroe Dootrine and aban-' doning the .historic policies of the United States. Europe would in future, he said, be abio to claim tho same right of interference in American affaire, as the United States could claim in European. —Aus.-N.Z) Gable Assn. REPUBLICANS DISREGARD THE PRESIDENT'S APPEAL . (Rec. February 20, .i.5 p.m.) New York, February 17. Washington correspondents report that the Republican Senator? intend -to disregard President Wilson's appeal not to debate the League of Nations •ivena'it : at present—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Ansa. PRESIDENT TOIXPLAIN COVENANT TO FOREIGN RELATIONS ' . ! ' ' COMMITTEE. (Rec. February 20,. 9.35 p.m.) (sew York, February 16. A Washington message states I hat President Wilson cabled to each of the members of the Senate Foreign Relation? Committee asking them to dine with him on February 26, when he will explain the league of Nations covenant, article by article. He asks them to come for this opportunity to explain the covenant before it is subjected to debate in the Congress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE'S PATH-BESET WITH > PERILS'. (Rec. February 20, 9,35 p.m.) New York, February 16. The New York "Sinn's" correspondent states that President Wilson does not believe the League of Nations is an accomplished fact, or that its path in the future, will not be beset _ with _ perils. The; President is greatly disappointed at the covenant's failure' to assure religious , tolerance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE'S CONSTITUTION PRAISED TRIBUTE TO GENERAL SMUTS AND LORD ROBERT CECIL. (Rec. February 20, 9.35 p.m.) New York, February 17. The Philadelphia "Press," commenting on the League of Nations, praises its constitution and says it is a real league. It thinks the plan to bring economic pressure against.a league member breaking the covenant is excellently devised, and 6ays President Wilson owes a great debt to General Smuts and Lord Robert Cecil for their assistance in the elaboration of the league constitution, giving the Great Powers five votes on the Executive Council of nine. One of the most important features, is the fact that, the Great Powers are responsible for. the practical working of the league, therefore tho minor States should not .be permitted equal authority with the Great Powers, which would perilously interfere with the leaguo's efficient operation-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THEECONOMICSITUATION . ftiOST TREMENDOUS ISSUE IN THE WORLD. (Rec. February 20, 7.10 p.m.) New York, February 15. In an interview in Paris, prior to his departure. President Wilson said: "The most tremendous issue in the world is

the economic situation. People are more interested in where the day's food 'is coming from than as to who will be their rulers. Lifting the blockade is imperative unless we wish to see Geirmany becoming the same as Russia." President Wilson said he considered the Russian situation to be almost insoluble. The invitation to the conference at Princes Islands had attracted the least desirable Russian factions. President Wilson continued: "Until I arrived here I did not realise that ther<- will not be neutrals in the League of Nations. By abolishing neutrals we automatically eliminate the question of neutral nights i.n war time; therefore there is no issue over naval sea rights."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Agsn.

THE PEACE TREATY "WILL BE SIGNED IN JUNE." (R-pc. February 20, 7.10 p.m.) Paris, February 15. President Wilson is confident that the Peace Treaty will be signed in June.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . , THE WAR COSTS OBJECTION TO THEIR ' BEING -IMPOSED ON GERMANY. (Rec. February 20, 9.35 p.m.) Washington, February 16. The. "Tribune's" Paris correspondent state; that, he learns-,that the American Peace Commission will object to the imposition 'of the war costs' on Germany, because they'fear it will drive Germany-to Bolshevism.—Aus.-N.Z. -Cable Assn. THE ALSACE-LORRAINE QUESTION (Rec. February- 20,- 5.5 p.m.) . New York, February, 17. The New York "Times". 1 Washington correspondent states that Herr Rantzau (German Foreign Secretary) has communicated with the United States and the Allies, protesting against considering .the Alsace-Lorraine question closed until - the Peace TVeaty is concluded — Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.. THE MARSHALL ISLANDS SHOULD NOT BE USED. AS NAVAL . • base: ■ (Rec. February 20, 9.5 p.m.) New York, February 16. The "Herald" states with reference to the Marshall Islands that the unanimous feeling is that the former German colonies should be used as. colonies,' not .as naval bases, as was the Germans' practice. The "paper points, out. that the islands offer few-■ inducements to settlement, but afford safe' shelter for the largest fleet in the world, which in certain circumstances would render them a menace to Australia. If Japan is not prepared to accept the mandate regarding the tenure of the islands, there, must be rigid restrictions regarding their utilisation as a naval coaling base for the Japanese fleet or the fleets of, other countries. By such means, only will Australia feel, that they constitute no menace to the pence or freedom of the, seas.—Aus.N.Z. .Cable Assn.

SERpiAN-SLOVENE-CROATIAN CLAIMS (Rec. February 20, 8 p.m.) London, February 19. A communique from Paris states that the representatives explained the territorial claims of the Serbs, Slovenes, and Croats. It was decided' to submit the question of the frontier? claimed, with, tne exception of those in which Italy is directly interested, lo the commission charged with' the examination of the question relating to the Banat.—Renter. GREAT BRITISH COMBINE EFFORT TO OBTAIN ASCENDANCY IN WORLD'S MARKETS, (Rec. February 20, 10.20 p.m.) .' New York, February 17. A London correspondent. states ■ that one of the greatest combines in the world is. .being, organised. ■ It - will beknown as the English Electrical Company, with'a capital of. -twenty-five million dolla'rs (A 000,000), and employ twenty-five thousand persons.' It is viewed as a British effort to obtain the ascendancy in markets hitherto controlled by America and Germany. The correspondent learns a British concern contemplates the manufacture of typewriters on a scale sufficient to compete in the world's markets, which hitherto have been an American monop-oly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WAR GRAVES COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING MEMORIALS'. (Rec; February 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, February '17. Mr. Riulyard Kipling, on behalf of the War Graves Commission, of which Mr'. Andrew Fjslier (Australian Hifjh Commissioner) and Sir Thomas Mackenzie (New Zealand 'High Commissioner) are members, traces the origin and development of the work. He points out that in regard to the finances tlie • Imperial and respective Dominion Governments will bear the cost in proportion lo the number of graves. The .commission recommends the erection _ of a cross . of sacrifice ami an altar-like stone of remembrance in each cemetery, and a plain enduring headstone on each grave, thirty inches by;fifteen, carved'with a 6ymbol of tho dead man's faith, his name,, rank, ' and 'regimental badge, and also letters, supplied by his relatives. The Military Committee advises regarding the. memorials that they-com-memorate achievements. such as those of the Canadians at Ypres, the .South Africans'at Delville Wood, the Australians at Amiens, the British at the breaking of tho Hind'cnburg line. It « hoped that the best art of _ the Empire will give its services in designing them, At present there'is insufficient labour in the world to cut and carve the letters on the headstones. Meanwhile the wooden crosses will be renewed if necessary, andthe cemetries will ba faithfully and reverently teflded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn., . MORE SHIPPING NEEDED STATEMENT - BY MR;' HURLEY. (Rec. February 20, 9.35 p.m.) Washington, February 16. Mr': E. J. Hurley stated that half a million more tons of American shipping were needed for general trade. -He will ask the War Department' to release as many ships as possible immediately. England, will also be asked to give ships for relief.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asn. MR. LLOYD GEORGE URGENTLY SUMMONED-TO PARIS. (Rec. February 20/ 9.5 plm.) " London, February 20. Mr. Lloyd Gedrge' has 'been urgently summoned to Paris, and will leave . today. after a meeting with the miners — Aus..N!Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH FOOD PRICES GREAT INCREASE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. (Rec. February 20, 5.!> p.m.) London, February 17. The "Labour Gazette" states that the ■ average increase in the retail prices of foodstuffs has been 130 per cent, 'since July, lfll-t.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DARDANELLES TO BE OPENED BLOCKADE ON CENTRAL POWERS NOT DIMINISHED. (Rec. February 20, 9.35 p.m.) Washington', February 16. It is announced that tho Dardanelles are to be opened, to commerce for tho first time since the ,war. This does not diminish the blockade on the Central« Powers, but will,help the relief work,—Aub.N.Z. Cable Assn. (Tho cable news in this issue accredited to tho London "Times" has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of the "Times.")