THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1919, Page 2

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION'] N.Z. DELEGATES. , I PROTEST AT LIMITATION. LONDON, Jan. 22. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have protested at the decision to grant only one delegate to Now Zealand at the Peace Conference. OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION. LONDON, Jan. 21. The fifth seat on the British Peace Delegation will bo placed at the disposal of all the Overseas Dominion Delegates. ALLIES AND RUSSIA CONFER PARIS, January 22. The Inter-Allied Conference decided to invite Russian factions to confer with Allies at Princess Islands in the Sea of Marmora. BRITAIN AND AMERICA. PARIS, January 21.

Mr Fraser states: It is understood Britain and America have reached a complete understanding on the Russian situation. Some time ago a suggestion was made tlial if the various Russian Governments could arrive at some agico )uent among tlienieslves, measures would have 'been taken to secure flieii representation at the Peace Conference. It is possibly along these Tines that America and Britain have agreed. An official communique states President Wilson and the Premiers and Foreign Ministers of tne Great Poweis assisted by Japan, received M. Scoveiitis’s statement giving ail the information at his disposal in reference to Russian parties. Very , great progress was made towards an agreement. It was hoped a concrete, proposal would be formulated on Wednesday.

HOSTILITIES IN RUSSIA TO STOPLONDON, January 22. The Peace Conference, accepting President Wilson’s proposals regarding Russia, agreed to tlio Conference with Russian delegates. The proposal disclaimed, any desire to interfere with the 'Russians in their right to settle their own affairs. Every organised group exercising political or military control in Siberia and European Russia will send three representatives to meet the Allies representatives at the Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmora.

The meeting will be held on February 15tli. next. The Conference will ’discuss Russia's wishes about bringing about happy internal relations.

The invitation is conditional on tile cessation of hostilities.

ARAB PEACE DELEGATES. PARIS, January 21

En<ir Feisul, son of King Hadjez, is here awaiting his father's instructions regarding two delegates to represent the Kingdom at the Peace Conference. Colonel Lawrence is Feisul’s Aide. He is expected to he chosen as the first delegate, in order to give greater weight to a proposal to be submitted to the Conference asking for the formation of ail all-Arab State from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf, to be free of Turkish domination and under tlio protection of the United States.

FIXING THE GUILT. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, January 2i

A Paris message states the Peace Delegation appears in favour of fixing the guilt of the war and punishment of the guilty, including the Kaiser. There is interest in Mr Wilson’s views. It is felt he will also favour the punishment since the French, and English already expressed a desire to punish the guilty' Mr Wilson’s attitude will probably fix tho course to he pursued.

WILSON AND TAFT. (Received this day at 9.25 a .ill.) NEW YORK, January 22. The “Sun’s’’ Washington correspondent states since the President is to return to United States next month, it is believed he will appoint Mr Taft to take his place at the Peace Delegation. This is considered a wise move since Mr Taft approves of ' the League of Nations and has the support of (American labour. The appointment, will perhaps secure ratifications of the Peace Treaty by the Republican Senators .

GERMAN COLONIES. GERMAN OFFICIAL HOPE. (Received This Day at 5.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jail. 21. The “Chicago News” states all official statement in the “ Berlin Gazette,” attributed to the German Colonial office, says Mr Wilson has made it clear that the Peace Conference would equally and justly solve the colonial question. The German Government feels that the Entente s ietontion of the colonies would be neither fair nor just, and would bo evidence of the intention to suppress the German nation.

A NOTHER SUG G ESTTON. NEW YORK, Jan. 22. A correspondent interviewed Mayor Guliard, formerly a member of the German Colonial Office. He said it was possible Germany would agree to an International Commission to govern the

colonies for a period of ten or twenty years, with the understanding that when a strong Republican Government was built up Germany should again assume control ot her colonics. t