THE PEACE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 7

THE PEACE TREATY

—$ RATIFIED BY SOUTH AFRICA MANDATE FOR EX-GERMAN TERRITORY AGREED TO By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Cape Town, September 8. In the Assembly, General Smuts (Premier) moved the introduction of a Bill to give effect to tho mandate given to South Africa for tho government of South-West Africa. . He said that, whatever happened, tho German colonics would never go back to Germany. If the Union did not take up'tho mandate, it would revert to the Great Powers, who would entrust it. to some other authority.

Tho Nationalists opposed the motion on the ground that it would involve legislation for States outside the Union, and was thereloro/against the Constitution. The Speaker declined to give a ruling on tho subject at that stage, and the motion was carried.

General Smuts then moved the ratification of tlio Peace Treaty. Ho said that tho League of Nations was to him tho Peace Treaty. All else might vanish, but this would stand for ever. The Covenant of the League was the real soul of tho Treaty, which would remain when much of the Treaty with which it disagreed, and its many blots and blemishes, had disappeared.

Referring to the status of the Dominions, ho said ho could well understand that i" other parts of the world tho enormous preponderance of tho 'British Empiro was not looked upon'witu any great favour. Fears were expressed in South Africa that tho ultimate tendency of the League of Nations would bo to break up tho British Empire. This was entirely wrong. On the contrary, ho could imagine-groat dominions arising, which in the next generation might bo as great as. Britain. There might hnvo been a danger of: a breakaway, but tlio League - had provided against it. The day would como when the League would be reorganised. It would 'bo the most important epoch in tlio history of tho British Umpire. . Dealing with penalties, he contradicted the statement that General Botha had favoured the trial of the ex-Kaiser. It was due to his memory- to say that he was a great oppopent of vindictiveness, and that he was against Draconian provisions. Dealing with the reparation clauses; General Smuts said they were far from' satisfactory, and would have : to be revised in future. Ho concluded with an earnest appeal for unity between the British and tho Dutch. During his absence he hna, seen human suffering on so colossal a scale that he did not wish for any repetition here. All bitterness was gone from his heart. Hi* only wish was'to'see a real union.—Aue.-, N.&. Cable Assit. .' DE WET PUBLISHEM MANIFESTO "ILLEGAL CONQUEST OF SOUTHWEST AFRICA." Capo Town, September 8. In a manifesto in the Nationalist paper in Bloemfontein, De Wet, one of the leaders of the rebellion of 1914, declares that he wilt no longer keep silence regarding the illegal conquest of German South-West Africa and German East Africa. The unjustifiablo attack on German territory is a cause for rebellion, for which he intends to make a strong appeal to the people, whose sense of right feeling would force the Government to Africa to'the rightful and original ownrestore German - South-West. and East ers. He should have done this even if General Botha and General Smuts, immediately on their return from Europe, had not announced an amnesty (which had not yet been fulfilled), Although still under bonds, ho declares plainly that he will not again ask the leave of the Government if he wishes to leave his dis-trict—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AMERICA AND THE.TREATY.. PRESIDENT WILSON'S TOUR, New York, September 8. ' In a speech at.Omaha, President "Wil''son, referring to the Senatorial reservations respecting the Treaty, said theii' sponsors, obviously meant that the Unit; ed States was to 6it near the door when trouble was impending in order that if there was anything they did not like their position would enable them ' to scuttle and run. Reservations regarding tho Monroe doctrine were unnecessary, as the doctrine was accepted, f<Sf. the first time—hook, line, and sinker—by all nations. The Allies had not asked Germany's consent to the' meaning of the terms of the Peace Treaty; they had handed Germany the pen, telling her, "Sign hero." Did any patriotic American want tho. method changed? (Cheers and, cries of "No" from the crowd.)

Eefcrring to the Pan-American idea, President Wilson said he did not believe that the American people desired to arm themselves and stand on guard, ignoring the rest of the world.

Regarding tho adoption of the Treaty by tlie Senate, he said tnat no man knew how long it would take the United States Senate to do anything.—Aus.-N.Z. Caiblo Assn,

NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE OF THE INDEHNJTJ COMMENT IN CANADA. Ottawa, September 8. A statement attributed to Mr. Massey that New Zealand expects, to receive sterling of the indemnity from Germany is much commented upon. A question is likely to bo asked in the House as to Canada's share. It is understood that the Canadian statement of claim has already been filed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A REPORTED ARRANGEMENT DENIED Paris* September 8. . The American delegation denies that an arrangement to guarantee Belgian independence has been maoro between' Britain and America.— Cable A6sn. THE AUSTRIAN TREATY RUMANIA WILL SIGN-WITH RESERVATIONS Paris, September 8. Rumania has agreed to sign tho Austrian Treaty, with reservations.. Tho Council has informed Rumania that she must" sign tho Austrian Peace Treaty without reservations, or abstain altogether.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ASSEMBLING FOR THE SIGNING. London, September 8. Senator i Pearce and Sir Thomas Mackenzie will go to Paris to-morrow to, represent Australia and New Zealand ■at tho signing of the Austrian Treaty. Sir Thomas Mackenzie will afterwards inspect the operations of tho Graves Commission in tho battlefield area.—Aus.-N.Z, Cablo Assn.