THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

WARNING TO EASTERN POWERS (Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 25.

The Conference’s warning to Eastern Powers is likely to be productive of good. Lately there have been difficulties amounting sometimes to armed conflicts between Scrbo-Italians, SerboHoumanians, Ukranians and loles, and Arabs and Syrians. It is known that the Hungarian Government is preparing to profit by the quarrel of the new nations that arc forming in her territory.

GENERAL MAURICE’S COMMENT. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2o

General Maurice says it must be remembered that Britain holds more conquered territory than any of the Allies. It is desirable to remove the suspicion that we having got a " e want are now seeking concessions from others, and not giving anything in re- ' “The Daily News” in a brief leader says the decision has established the League in its true place in relation to the Conference, and invested the whole proceedings with an atmosphere of confidence and goodwill. By the refusal of a powerful nation to take advantage of its possession of valuable ton itory, the decision may well prove the greatest victory of the war. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says President Wilson iecently formed the idea of treating the Colonies ns neutral States, under tho Guardianship of the League.

FRENCH OPINION. {Received This Dav at 9.30. a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 25.

"French official circles considered the scheme impracticable and did not believe America would persist in supporting it, especially after conversations in Ixmdon, where it was understood the British and American standpoints had drawn near together.

CLEARLY DEFINED

THE CONFERENCE’S WORK

(Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, January 25

Tho “Daily Telegraph's’" Paris cones pondent says tho method of working at tho Peace Conference is now clear. Five Powers are represented by ten men to formulate the programme and arrive at decisions on various questions which are embodied in resolutions for consideration at tlie primary sitting. A correspondent states authoritivelv that tho League of Nations negotiations ,nro progressing most satisfactorily. It has been assured in reference to the .disarmament * proposals that they will first be applied to the German Armies. It is now permissible to say that the Conference decisions regarding Russia were unanimous and were reached largely owing to Savenuiss evidence although lie favoured intervention. The French ultimately warmly supported Jlr Wilson’s proposal. This same correspondent says, Mr Hughes submitted a detailed schemcjregarding New Guinea, Mr Massey ro Samoa and General Smuts re German South West Africa. Sir. R. Borden also made a statement. It is understood that all pronounce against returning the colonies to Germany.

GERMAN COLONIES. (Received This Day at 9.20 a.m.) PARIS’, January 25th. It is understood the Anglo-French proposal for the German colonies includes the French possession of Kanieruns and Belgians possessions of territory. West of Lake Victoria Nyanza, and a strip of territory in Congo on the left bank. Suitable compensation ■jvill be given Portugal.

JAPAN’S DESIRES. PARIS, Jan. 27. Baron Markins interviewed, said Japan would contribute in every possible in every possible way to the conclusion of a just peace. She neither expects nor desires territorial expansion in China or Siberia. She was willing to aid Russia to restore order, but her interest there had ceased. Japan’s only desire was to demonstrate her sincere friendship for China. If the Peace Conference gave Japan the right to dispose of Tsingtau, Japan Would return it to China.

ARMY CHANGES. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, January 20. Jt is stated in reference to the official announcement regarding the Armies of occupation that 30,000 men are j now demobilising daily, compared with | 8,000 a fortnight ago, while the rate of demobilisation will shorty be -10,000 daily. Obviously if this process continues, in two months we should be left without an organised body of disciplined troops in any pan of the world in which we are involved. To build up the old voluntary army would take at least a greater part of 1919, and before any volume of voluntary can be expected it is necessary that tli e rates of pnv should be made attractive and that large numbers of soldiers should have been released for the Army and should should havo been able to exercise free choice regarding re-enlistment Wc are thus confronted with the certainty of an utter gap between the great compulsory armies which won the war and a comparatively small long service professional forces, which requires to garrison the British Empire, the forthcoming proposals are intended to provide for this intervening period. They will ensure that we have in every war theatre sufficient forces during 1919 to see that we are not robbed of the fruits of victory and that the Germans with their confederates are made to exe cute faithfully and punctually the conditions of the Armistice and Peace Treaty, and they will nlso enable us to discharge our duties towards our Allies and those depending on us.

THE DOMINION MINISTERS. AT PARIS CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, This Day. The following official message has been received from the High Commissioner.—The New Zealand Ministers, eomewhat "belated arrival was regrettable ns their absence from the preliminary British inter-Conferonces and Hrfet plenary meeting of the Peace Congress has thrust several disadvantage upon,

tho Dominion, especially respecting New 1 Zealand’s representation and their im- ' portant interests. The Ministers and , Secretaries arrived at Paris via Bou, ' lognc and Amiens on Tuesday night. t The delegates reception, as at London, j was most cordial and very welcome aftei i the unique and occasionally tempestuI ous voyage by the patrol cruiser Ophir from Colon. They are now comfortably established at the Hotel Majestic,, tho Social headquarters of the British and Indian Delegates. Tho Ministers were immediately busy, overtaking tho arrears of important work relating to British proposals The principal task confronting our d e l e g ates meanwhile, is tlio question of New Zealand’s nepresentaition. It is obvious that New Zealand’s claim for th e same representation as was given South Africa was considerably weakened by our , Ministers absence from the important j plenary conference. Ther e was strong j ] opposition from somewhat unexpected quarters to the British Dominions being directly represented at the Congress at all, and the present arrangement is frankly a compromise in favour of Brazil for diplomatic reasons. The British War Cabinet strongly urged New Zealand interests, but failed to overcome the opposition. The matter is beink keenly fought by Mr Massey who immediately consulted Hon. Lloyd Georgo and arranged to hav e the question discussed forthwith at the Imperial War Cabinet. As regards the Congress it is only at a preparatory stage but it definitely decided to discuss firstly. the League of Nations.

Meanwhile important commissions and committees ore being established. The next meeting will probably be on Saturday.

It is already clear that flic British delegation lias" a stern task respecting control of former German colonies. Owing to the lack of accommodation, four ladies of the New Zealand Ministerial party remain, meantime in London.

LONDON, January 25. Somewhat unexpectedly a matter ol great importance to tho Dominions came before the Council of Allied Powers on Friday. Hon. Lloyd George opened with a statement, in respect to the captured German colonies. Mr Hughes stated the case for Australia, General Smuts for South Africa, Mr Massey for New. Zealand. It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the Conference that a good case had been made out. Japan and America have yet to 'be heard. Mr Massey on Friday was the guest of the Earl and Countess Derby at luncheon at tb e British Embassy.