THE LEAGUE AND THE PEACE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 151, 21 March 1919, Page 5

THE LEAGUE AND THE PEACE TREATY

COVENANT TO BE EMBODIED

THE TERRITORIAL MANDATES OVERSEAS MEMBERS OF COMMISSION tly Telcgraph-Pross Association. Copyrlglil Paris, March 18. The British Allegation docs not see the necessity for including the League ot Nations in tho preliminary peace tonus, Ivecauso the Germans aro not a parly to it, but there is 110 reason why the League should not; be formed concurrently with the peace treaty. It is understood that there is some perturbation at President Wilson not; being prepared to carry out tho draft of his peaco terms, to which his representatives had subscribed in his alienee. There were one or two points reserved for his approval, mainly territorial matters connected with the llhinelnud. Though tho British representatives woro satisfied that the inclusion of. tho League covenant in tho terms was inappropriale, they were desirous of meeting President Wilson's views. Some delay now appears to bo inevitable, dependent upon liic form in which tho League should lie included. If it is intended to introduce tho extended constitution, serious delay may ensue. Tho article in tho League constitution providing that the signatories shall come to the assistance of any. Power threatened may induce President AVilson to say to tho French that they have no cause to worry over territorial security in Kluineland. "If! this particular clause- is- inculded in tho preliminary peaco it will give every security you want." On the other hand, Franco may ask what tho Lc-ague really means, and what, are tho precise terms and methods by which assistance will bo afforded. It is believed that President AVilson does not l'aiso any objection_ to tho naval and military terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BY~LORD ROBERT CECIL TREATY MAY BE SIGNED IN A FORTNIGHT. , Paris, March 18. Lord Robert Cecil, in a. statement to tho Press, said that the British delegation lias agreed that the League covenant should be embodied' in peace preliminaries. He could not say that this would lead to any delay of peace. He expected that the treaty would bo signed in a fortnight. Replying to criticism as to tho extent of Britain's representation on the League, he said that tho Dominions properly desired representation when they placed matters of interest to themselves forward, rather than _have tho British Government voice their opinions.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE MR LINE MR. HUGHES EMPHATIC ABOUT JAPAN.

New York, March 10. The Paris correspondent of the New York "SW interviewed Mr. W. M. Hughes, who sai<i that Australia could not agree to the incorporation of tho principle of the equality of races in the League of Nations covenant. "Australia will not agree to the adoption of the principle of race equality in any other form by tho Peace Conference if in conflict with our interests. We will, not deviato an inch from our expressed position on the Japanese question."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE MR. ASQUITII MENTIONED. London, March 19. Tho "Daily Mirror" states that Mr. Asquith is likely to be invited to be the first President of the League of Nations. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. THE TERRITORIAL MANDATES A SPECIAL COMMISSION. . Paris, March 19. It is probablo that tho British proposal to form a special Mandates Commission ".'ill be adopted, giving the five Great Powors.two representatives each, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, and Portugal one each, where their interests arc concerned. At least sixteen mandates will be given. In the event of the inhabitants seeking absorption by tho Mandatory Power, the latter guarantee* .that tho territory _ acquired will not bo lortitied.—Aus.-X./j. Cablo Assn. INTEfINATIONALWATERWAYS Paris, March 19. The Waterways Commission recom'mends the iiiternationalisation of tho waterways of France, Britain, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Switzerland, in addition to the German States' along tho banks of tho Rhine, Switzerland has'beoil granted her Uhino navigation demands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. LABOUR TROUBLESTND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS Paris, March 19. The International Labour Conferenco has completed its report. Tt decided that each country should settle its owu domestic problems without involving the League of Nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

INTERNATIONAL AIR COUNCIL

Paris, March 10. The British proposals for -an international air code have been accoptctf. A special committee of the International Council will be formed subsidiary to tho League of Nations to control aerial navi-gation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. LLOYD GEORGE WILL REMAIN IN PARIS. Paris, March 19. Mr. Lloyd George has decided to remain in Paris until the Peace Treaty is completed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cubic Assn. AMERICANS INIiEOCCUPIED ZONE Paris, March 10. Upon the insistence of Admiral lienson-, who objected to the American occupation of Germany continuing indefinitely, the military tonus of peace have been modified by the elimination of the clause providing for the control of Germany's armament for an indefinite period. Tho Americans arc anxious to return home as early as possible.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. WILL GERMANY.ACCEPT THE TREATY? DEFIANT NOTE IN "VORWAERTS." Amstordam, March 15. "Yorwaerls" foreshadows tho rejection of tho peace terms and threatens the Entente that Germany will resort to new measures of doi'eneo to resist the extravagant terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.