THE PEACE DRAFT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 170, 12 April 1919, Page 7

THE PEACE DRAFT

AND THE FOURTEEN POINTS

PRESIDENT WILSON'S HINT TO

CONFERENCE

DETERMINED TO HAVE HIS WAY

By Tolesruv>li —Pi-oss Association-CoDyright,

London, April 8.

Tho Paris correspondent of the "Daily Express" states that President Vi ilsou considers that tho compromise reached on Sunday respecting the questions of the Saar.. the Rhino, Danzig, and reparation has definitely offended against the Fourteen Points, to which he adheres with undiminished tenacity. M. Clemenceau has gone i'nr to meet President Wilson's views, but President AVilson thinks he lias not gono far enough. Mr. Lloyd George steers a middle course, (hough tho Americans accuse him of siding too much with M. Clemenceau.

It is unquestionable that the sudden summoning oi President Wilson's steamer was a deliberate hint that tho Conference must olioose between a Wilson peace and no peace. It is reported that President AVilson is fiercely determined to have his way. if the peace draft fails to coiucido with tho Fourteen Points! lie will issue a manifesto and quit Europe.

To-day' 6 meeting of the Big Four is of unprecedented importance. The British correspondent's messages are, for almost the first timo, being censored. The Paris correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph" states that whatever tho reason for summoning tlio steamer was, it. is undoubted that President Wilson is as much irritated and depressed by the slowness of'the negotiations as his severest, critics.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DOMINION DELEGATES DISTURBED. 1 London, April 8. • Tho Paris correspondent of tho "Daily Express', states that the Dominion delegates are profoundly disturbed by tho situation in tho Conference.' They declare that they will be unable to justify the treaty to their severnl Parliaments because t-hey have had no voice in shaping, it—Aaie..-N.Z. Cable Assn. DEMAND OF BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. : (Rec. April 12, 1.30 a.m.) London, April 10. The National Executive of the Labour Party demands that the Pcaco Conference end tho protracted discussions and make peace in accordance with the Fourteen Points.—Renter. ' GERMANY WlLLsifiN ANY TREATY " . GENERAL MAURICE'S VIEW. (Rec. April J2, 1.10 a.m.) New York, April 1. General Maurice, in a speech, said:— "Germany will sign any treaty, no mailer what the conditions. The talk of resistance is bluff."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE INDEMNITIES QUESTION "GERMANY MUST PAY" MOVEMENT'. London, April 9. A "Germany Must- Pay" movement, initiated in the House of Commons, resulted in tw.o. hundred members telegraphing to' Mr. Lloyd Gcorgo stating that the greatest anxiety prevails throughout the cpuntrv at (he • persistent reports that the British delegates in Paris, instead of formulating Empire claims are merely considering the amount .that can bo extracted from tho enemy; and also asking for a reassurance of. tlio Government's election pledges regarding , full payment from Germany.— "The Times." HRITISH DELEGATUS WILL STAND TO THEIR PLEDGES. London, April 8. The Press Bureau reports that Mr. Lloyd George, replying to telegrams from members of Parliament concerning indemnities, telegraphed to Mr. Kennedy Jones as follows:—"My colleagues and 1 mean to stand faithfully by all the pledges given to our. constituencies, and aro prepared-at any moment to submit to tlio -judgment of Parliament, and, if necessary, to the country, our efforts (0 loyally redeem our promises."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KAISER'S WArRESPONSIBILITY DETERMINED TERMS OF REPARATION SETTLED. , London, April 9. The Council of Four has definitely determined upon the Kaiser's responsibility for the war. . and also upon the means for bringing him to trial, probably by Belgium; but it is understood that; tlio idea of executing him is eliminated. And definite terms of reparation have also been settled, under which one thousand millions sterling must be naid within tho next two years, while an Inter-Allied Commission will assess the remaining damages, to bo paid over a period of thirty years. Two of the greatest obstacles to the rapid attainment of peace aro thus removed— Reuter. INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL TO TRY WjLHELM. (Rec. April 12, 0.5 a.m.) New York, April 10. The New York "Times" Paris correspondent reports that the Council of Four has decided that the Kaiser will be tried by an international tribunal 011 charges of violation of international laws and the F.mctity of treaties. —Aus.-N.Z. *~able Assn. NEW LEAGUE OF NATIONS SCHEME London, April 8. The. "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent states that the new League, of Nations scheme anticipates a more or less formal alliance between Britain, France, and America, to enforce the observance of the Pcace Treaty, enabling tiin Letmue to. take its place when world order is established. Tho scheme will | do much to relieve the anxiety in France, I which feared that the League, at its in- • ception, .would not be 6trong .enough to impose Acnus 011 Germany. —Aus.-N./j. Cable Assn. SUGGESTED NEW CLAUSE. (Rec. April 11, 9.55 p.m.) • New York, March 31. New York papers publish six amendments to the League of Nations Covenant'bv Mr. Elihn Root. Tho most important says a clause should be inserted saving: "The United States not bo called upon' to submit to the decision or riiconimendatoins of other Powers questions affecting its policy in purely American affairs, including immigration. - Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. MONROE DOCTRINE TO BE RECOGNISED. r . (Rec. April 12, 0.5 a.m.) New York, April 10. A United Press Paris message states that the League of Nations Commission lias adopted a now section for the Covenant, recognising the Monroe Doctrine. -Aus.-N.Z. ('able Assn. RACIAL EQUALITY AMENDMENT. New York, March lit (delnved). Tho New York "Herald." in a leader, nays that Ihe American object inn to the racial eciuaiity amendment in the League of Nations Covenant is precisely the .same as that of the Australians. Mr. 11.11','hes's views on this are exactlv in accord witli llio.n! of some nt the strongest opponent? of the equality clause in the United Stales.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SUPERVISION 01' SAAB VALLEY. Paris, April 10. It has been decided that Hie League

of Nations shall supervise the Saar Vallov lor fifteen years.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GERMAN COLONIES DEMAND TOR. THEIR RESTORATION. London, April 8. The Berlin correspondent of tho "Daily Express" interviewed Johannes Bell, the Colonial Sosretary, who said that, in spite of party differences on all other subjects, the National Assembly was united on the colonial question. Its unanimous opinion was tliat Germany must retain the colonies, and tho whole people will back tho nation's representatives in Paris in demanding. restoration of the colonies, based upon President AVilson's fifth point. The retention of the colonies is a matter of honour.

Germany, in her colonisation programme, had begun to elevate the natives to a higher plane of culture, and (110 work must proceed or Ciormay would be branded a failure in the colonial field, 14' the colonies were taken it would leave an unforgettable heart-sting and a. stigma which would keep alivo tho secret yearning for revenge. Colonies were an economic necessity for Germany. On tho other hand, Germany, before tho war. was tho most; dangerous commercial competitor of England and America, owing to jtlie lowor cost of production of German goods. If she was deprived 01 her colonies she would beconio oven more dangerous as a competitor. "Germany will make an emphatic and outright demand to keep her colonies, and will not ineeklv sign anything tho Entente pro-poses."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

EUROPEAN INLAND COMMUNICATIONS

PROVISION FOR RECONSTRUCTION

(Rec. April 11,.8.30 p.m.)

Paris, April 9. The Hunrome Economic Council has taken over the reconstruction of Euro- • Pean inland communications which icnuiro recreating. In some cases only ?0 per cent, of tho necessary rollingstock remains. Tho Allies have distributed the wk.aa Mowsj-Britam undertakes Rumania, Poland, the Baltic, the Caucasus, and the Don regions; Italy undertakes Austria and Hungarj i France undertakes European lurkcy, Greece, tho Donatz basin, and the Ukraine; and America undertakes Czecho-Slavia and .Tugo-Slavia.-Unitod Scrvice. S MARITIME TRANSPORT COUNCIL London, April 9. Tlio Paris Council proposes to terminate the Maritime Transport Council, and Absorb its functions in those of the ouwomo Council. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BLOCKADE OF GERMAN-AUSTRIA Paris, April !). The Council of Four discussed tho tnisiuK of the blockade' of German-Aus-tria ami the reopeniug of fcrado with Estlumia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE POLISH CLAIMS (Rec. April 11, 8.30 p.m.) Paris, April 0. > M. Paderewski, the Premier of Poland, attended tho Council, and protested against the derision to neutralise Danzig. He urged that the Tesshen coalfield was vital to Poland.—United oervice. ' SOUTH AFRICANMTiONALISTPARTY EN ROUTE TO PARIS. (Rec. April 12, 0.5 a.m.) New York, April 1. A party of Boers from South Africa who wish to set up a republic have arrived here on route to Pnris, to Attend the Peace Conference. The party consists of General Hertzog, Senator A. D. Wolmnrans. Messrs. D. F. Malan, N. O. Havcnga, \V. Halmar, lfeitz, G. E. Y. Van I'ittius. Frederick Beyeres, Andreas Spies. Uernardus Stcgman, and Ernest Jnnsen. As no British crew would work the ship carrying tbem from Capo Town, the party sailed in the Dutch vessel BaI'.ean. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.