PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 193, 10 May 1919, Page 7

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION

MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS London, May 8. Official.—Mr. Massey says: "It will be very easy to find flaws and imperfections in the Treaty, but these douutless will lie more evident later on, without emphasising them now. The Council of the Great Powers liave had during tho past few months a most difficult task, of which a great deal has been weil done, but it lias .to be admitted that there have boen many indications of a. lack of that co-ordination w'icli is essential to success. Now that the terms have been presented, unity is more essential than ever to counteract the weakness of the Treaty, Without such inter-Allied unity there cannot the peace the world has hoped for. The greatest danger to a satisfactory outcome is the number of experiments embodied in the Treaty. The League of Nations, which is excellent in theory and aims, is still without practical machinery. Moreover, it must have time before its power caii be relied upon even to. make wars lets frequent than in the past. The Labour Convention also was well based on high principles, and I hope it may do all that is expected in bringing up the nations backward m labour conditions. The systems regarding the mandates .and the economic terms' also are experiments on which much depends. The results from the mandate system will be closely watched all over the world. Many proposals look simple on paper, but when put into practice in conditions widely varied throughout the world may not achieve the results desired.

"Probably the greatest; weakness in the Treaty is the provision in regard to the guarantees for its execution. The proposal that the Allies should occupy tlm districts west of the Shine for fifteen years does not give Franco the measure of permanent security desired. What will happen after fifteen years, even i ; ' the conditions have been complied with? There, is .a very prevalent opinion in Franed .that Germany will come again, though not in the present generation, ami military experts urge that the only way to make France sale is to give her a defensive, control of the west, bank of the Kliino:_ This in itself is a serious problem'. -AVil'h regard "to the various adjustments of past grievances, there seems to be too many commissions, making for complexity of control of European frontiers, ports,' fivers, and railways, possibly causing frequent conflict" of. the varied nationalities and jealousies. The dealing with reparation is good as fijr as it goes, though dangerously indefinite. It is generally understood'-that this part of the Treaty gave the Council' and its advisers more trouble than anything else, owing to tlio wide diversity of otiiniqii. If the Germans accept the terms, Britain and the Dominions will get something back, but their proportion is very hard to estimate. They certainly will not get more than 25' per • cent-., spread over about thirty years, and perhaps they will, get much 'less than that. It may be said now that respecting finance, (he tenderness to Germany was very marked, the argument being that if the Allies' demands were too high (hey - probably 'would get nothing, and that Germany would turn Bolshevik rather than' pay. The die is now east, and if one should indue, bv the arrofrant bearing of the Hun delegates to-day. they v.'ill (rive (pin' Of. of it", indeed, before neaco is finally declared. "The most vital and satisfying features of the Treaty are the military, naval, and aerial terms, which, were'fixed Impractical experts who know their enemy and what, was required, and hit. directly at Prussian "militarism, which for many years to. come lias'been smashed. 'This in itself is a...great result, and counterbalances many "ihinor defects in other directions. These terms are in striking contrast to the reparation and restitution proposals, which give too much scope for evasion. No agjjrepate sum is fixed, and Germany will surely-fake-ad-vantage of the elasticity of (he details. The clauses dealine with "enemy crimes and enforcement of penalties for atrocities /hud breaches of the laws of war and liitmanifv are weak compared with ihe • Commission's recommendations, and afford the ox-Kaiser a wide I<—oliole °f escape through 'technicalities. The weak-ness-of the : Council's clauses is due tofie conflict of leaul opinion reswe'tinir' the sacrosanct position of the exalted bends of Slates. In conclusion it may be said (hat the chief cause of the flawin the Treaty has been the effort to adjust.: all ..sorts of Allied difficulties and differences before securing, wifltont delayf a definite, firm peace with Germany, aii'l ■wlequafe reonration. The world will welcome and endorse the genuine effort of the Allies' Peace Conference to secur" the restoration of Belgium. Northern France, and the devastated regions swept ,l>y the Prussian warfare, and the opportunity now gi*-en to the new States emancipated by the Allied effort, from tyranny."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEWSPAPER CRITICISMS

London, May 8. Although it is too early for a final expression of public opinion on the peace terms, the. London newspapers are generally favourable to the terms, but point out the necessity of seeing the actual text.' Tho "Daily Chronicle" says that tho. Polish settlement is incomplete, and may lead to neiv disputes in tho next genera-" tion.- • Tho financial settlement is tho least satisfactory feature of the Treaty," but tho pure fact -is that Germany ia incapable of.making complete reparation. The "Daily Express" does not discuss details, but says: "It is a good and ft great peace, with just reparation ?ud ample security." Tho "Daily Mail" says: "The military and naval terms are good <ind drastic, but liavo dangerous loopholes. On the financial 6ido the complete terms may show that excessive' consideration has been shown to Germany. The mercantile terms do not go far'to meet the British claims." The paper fears that tho full terms Will be very short of the Premier's promises," The. "Morning Post" says:. "On the whole',the. Treaty is better than we expected,, but it must be onforced by a working alliance of the principal Allies. Prussia will accept the Treaty under duress. A policy of kindness to Germany is a policy of cruelty to the Allies. ■The conditions regarding the indemnity are unsatisfactory, and do not bear out the great promises made before the election. Tho Danzig ' settlement is unexpectedly satisfactory. It is again a' free port under Polish influence." The "Daily News" says: "The reparation terms cannot, and should not, stand,, as it would be hard to make Germany perform them. Wo are trying to have it both ways, stripping Germany naked and then demauding that she shall empty her pockets."* The."Daily Telegraph" entirely approves of what it terms a "stem, stringent, and just peace." ' One of the principal points in the Treaty provocative- of comment in London. and specially noted in "Tho Times." relates to enemy shipping. The Treaty recognises tho principle of ton-for-ton. All merchant ships above IGOO tons and half thoso between 1000 and 1000 tons are to be given up; and Germany is also to build 200,000 tons a year for five years for the Allies. If America takes all tho German ships, including tho great, liuera, in American harbours, thenar will havo Hie effect of enormously diminishing the merchant ships of the other Allies, particularly England. The American losses would be made good nearly twice over.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. Sydney, May 9. The morning papers comment favourably on the peace terms. Tht>y .regard Hie reparation clauses as the outstanding feature.—Press Assn.

TREATY PUBLISHED IN GERMANY

Paris, May 7; An aeroplane carried the'l'eaco Treaty terms to Cologne, where they wor#

printed in the German papers under E2l» tish orders, and thousands of copies wer* sent into the heart of Germany.—Aw.» N.Z. Cable Assn. :: BELGIUM'S POSITION • GREAT DISSATISFACTION *.;■ EXPRESSED. Brussels, May 8. Under the presidency of King Albert, the Cabinet discussed Belgium' 6 position with 'r.espect to the peace terms. Tho Premier, in' an interview, said that tho situation./wiis serious and. painful. The offer made from Paris was completely <\t variance with, the earlier promises. It is understood that the Belgian representatives consider the offer of ,£100,000,000 as greatly inadequate. Member? of Psrliamfciit, of local councils, and' of public bodies urge tho King anil the Government not to sign" the Treaty. President "Wilson is uyopulai, and audiences in picture theatres shouted: "Down . with Wilson!" when his photograph was shown.—Aus.-N.Z. Cijble Assn. FREE USE OF SCHELDT'DEMANDED . Brussels, J [ay 4 (delayed). Public, and ; semi-public bodies demand that - the Treaty of Peace shall not bo signed unless the free use of the Scheldt is guaranteed.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. TERMS FOR AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY Paris,.May 7. The Austro-lTungarian delegates have been invited to St. Germains, near Paris, to rcceivo tlic peace terms, .about May 12.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FUTuiIiofARMENIA ♦ UNITED STATES EXPECTED TO BE THE MANDATORY POWER". Washington, May S. It is anticipated that tlie United States will become the mandatory Power for Ar-menia—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , . THELEAGUEOFNATIONS FIRST SITTING OF PROVISIONAL ' COMMITTEE. (Rec. May 1), 10.20 p.m.) Paris, May 5. M. Piclion presided over the first sitting of the League of Nations' provisional committee, Sir Eric Drmnmond officiating as secretary-general. A number of resolutions regarding organisation were ' passed, and committees appointed to draft a Departmental scheme,—Aus.-N.16. Cable Assn, • ■

JAPAN AND CHINA

' (Rec. Slay 3, 10.20 p.m.) Paris, May 5. Baron Slakino, in an interview, said it was.-.Tapan's policy to return Shantung in full 'sovereignty to -Cliitia. only rytainiug .tiie economic privileges granted to Germany, with a right: to settlement at T'singtao under the usual conditions.— Aus.-N./5, Cable Assn. :