THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

PRESS COMMENT.

IAUS'CUALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION ii\oceivtfl lliia -Day at 10.15. a in.) LONDON, Jan. 24. The ‘‘Evening Standard’s” Paris cor--1 respondent states there is an understanding at the Conference that ii the Bolsheviks take up a defiant attitude towards the Allies, armed intervention will be considered. The Allies must give active military aid to Poland if the Bolsheviks advance. Marshal Foch has gone to Poland in order to prepare for the contingency. If the Russian difficulty is arranged, the signing of peace should come in May. Although there is some scepticism, ■the newspapers generally are hopeful of good results o ftho Conference’s Rus-

sian decision . i On the other hand the “Morning Post” bitterly attacks the proposal. The “Daily Telegraph” says the very questionable steps place the whole Conference i n an ambiguous position of initiating overtures with the BolslieviKs. The proposal is hazardous because it, gives small chances of usefulness and violates the ethical standard and because it seems to exonerate the guilty. The “Daily News” says the Frencn doctrine that it is the duty of United Europe to stamp out Bolshevism is precisely the argument used by opponents of the French resolution. If force is used in Russia it would mean the ruin of the hopes of the League of Nations.

CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS ((Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) PARIS, January 24. Mr Hughes lias been appointed Chairman of (lie Commission on Repatriation. Sir R. Borden who was asked to serve on«the Commission is proceeding to Princes Island. General Botha is a member of the Commission to Poland Correspondents state there is a growlug feeling in favour of the appointment of sub-committees of experts consider questions separately, and later reporting to the Conferennce, thereby facilitating prompt decisions.

THE GERMAN COLONIES. CASE FOR THE DOMINIONS. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) PARIS, January 24. Mr Murdoch writes—Mr Hughes, Mr Massey, and General Smuts were called before tile Conference to state the case against the neutralisation nf the islands south of the Equator and South West Africa. There 3s no question of any Ger man colony being returned, but America wishes the neutralisation of all except South-west Africa. The Dominions urged annexation, and were assured of French and Italian support. Hon Lloyd George epitomised the British views, mentioning the strategical claims of Australia and New Zealand and east Africa. He urged that the young democratic nations be given the greatest possible security consonant with justice, which in these cases was unchallenged, Mr Hughes was then called to deal with the Pacific. With the aid of a map of the Pacific, he stated Australia’s ease, enforcing the strategical aspect. He said the powers holding one group should hold all, for each group as a stepping 1 stone was strategically connected. He declared the neutralisation of • New Guinea was the same as the neutralisation of Australia for any great Power conti'oling New Guinea, controlled Australia. Australia could not have any ! Groat Power threatening her from ! »i commanding position in the Pacific. I

General Smuts followed with a good case for South 'West Africa, but not vet claiming East Africa. Air Massey dealt with Samoa, declaring New Zealand would never give it up to .Germany. He protested against any foreign Power being posted strategically on her flank, even as mandatory under a League of Nations, in an island won bv New Zealand efforts.

TRIUMPH FOR LLOYD GEORGE (Received This Day at 8.30 a.ra.) LONDON. Jan. 24. The ‘‘Daily Express Paris correspondent says Mr Wilson evidently drafted the Conference’s Russian resolution, but it really is a great personal triumph for Hon. Lloyd George, inasmuch as it, was the principal British suggestion in December, which M. Pichon categorically declined. The Conference has taken the British view, namely, although the Soviet is not the port of Government the Allies approve, nevertheless after fifteen months, its existence must be admitted.

A CONFERENCE MESSAGE. LONDON, January 26. A wireless message, sent world wide by the Powers at Conference, intimated that the Conference was deeply disturbed to hear of instances of armed force being used in many parts of Europe and the last to gain possession of territory. The message states that those using force will create the presumption that they doubt the justice and validity of their claims and indicate distrust in the conference. If they expect justice, they must refrain from force and place their claim in the Conference’s hands.

CONFERENCE AND LABOUR. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) t LONDON, January 24. | i The “Morning Post’s” Paris corns- , t poudeut states the Conference considers i the labour problems on the 25th. I The Dominions will be given a right fo present their own cases, but it is j i more likely the Dominions i will agree to be represented . 1 by the British case seeing “that Do- : 1 minion affairs participated in the draw j ] jng of it up. The Dominion have nl- j ] /ready made progress regarding the . i coloured labour question. The Confer- i cnee is not to attempt to standardise the hours of labour and wages. M. Venizelos suggests Constantinople as the Capital for the "League of N.t • tions, being the pivotal point of ]S» ■ rope, Asia and Africa and commanding the most important points. , < GENERAL WILSON’S JOB. | f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION | & REUTER.] | (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) ' LONDON, Jan. 25. j The Press Bureau states General Sir Henly Wilson will nttend the Committee appointed by the Allied Governments to consider the strength of the forces to be maintained on the western front during the armistice.