THE PEACE CONFERENCE,

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1919, Page 2

THE PEACE CONFERENCE,

rAUSTRALIAN & N- z - CABLE ASSOCIATION]

CONFERENCE DISCUSSIONS. PARIS, Jan. 27

The Supreme Council drew up a programme embodying the constitution for a Committee to study the economic and financial questions. In the afternoon exchanges of views on the German colonies were continued, with special reference to tho Pacific Ocean.

BOLSHEVIK VIEWS. PARIS, Jan. 27. The Bolshevik foreign commissary wirelessed the Bolshevik representative in Sweden, asking for confirmation of j the Peace Conference’s proposal. He declares the proposal conies too late, J and it was made when the internal sit- I nation was finally settled, but they will not reject the principle of a conference and are prepared to carefully consider it. i CHINA’S DEMAND. j NEW YORK, Jan. 24. ; The New York “Times” Washington correspondent states Chinese officials have announced that China will ask for a revision of the 1915 JapaneseChinese treaty, including tliirty-one demands, at the Peace Congress. Despatches from Buenos Ayres say that an anti-Jewish agitation is spreading in South America. SAMOAN AFFAIRS. LONDON, Jan. 27. During his address to the Council, Mr Massey stated a confidential plebiscite was taken by the New Zealand’s administration among the Samoan Chiefs and native leaders. Mr Massey claimed it showed an overwhelming preference lor British mile, and condemnation of the German rule.

AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. FAVOURS NEUTRALISATION. LONDON, Jan. 26. Mr Murdoch, Australian correspondent, says: “At the American Headquarters I gathered the following clear and unquestionable facts concerning America’s attitude. President Wilson favours the neutralisation of all the former German possessions in the Pacific under a British mandate, which he was willing, should be transferred to Australia. He does not wish to see Japan astride the Pacific. He thinks Japan has no moral claim or strategical need for the islands there. He does not see why Japan wants the Ladrones fslands, the Carolines, or the Marshalls, because they are practically useless for colonising. Therefore thendesire must evidently bo for a mere expansion of power and influence in the Pacific. President Wilson is likely to make a strong fight against this. It must be understood that there is no certainty that Britain will secure a general mandate regarding the Pacific. Therefore Australia’s objections to neutralisation are based on the possibility of another Power stepping in.

AUSTRALASIA TO CONTROL IN f PACIFIC, t PARIS, Jan. 27. The newspapers state apropos of the I discussion regarding the German colon|j Jos, that Britain and the United I States have arrived at an agreement |on the subject. This is to the effect ij that certain colonies in the Pacific | theoretically belong to the League of Nations. The actual government of | them, however, is to be delegated to I Australia and New Zealand. They sav j there can be no question of an internat tional administration.

BOLSHEVIKS ATTEND CONFERENCE. PARIS, January 25. The Bolshevik Government at Moscow Iras favourably replied to the Allies iu- • witafrlon to attend a conference. The Government regard Princes Isi land however as being too distant, |l 'considering a closer place than the Sea (i of Marmora could have been selected. j A LENIN TRIUMPH. I (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.l LONDON, January 27. 1 The “Morning Post’s” special Paris li correspondent states practically the ij mholc of France regards the invitation ' -rto the Bolsheviks as a diplomatic triarmph for Lenin, who will demand the ! n'esumption of diplomatic relations with the Allies, particularly London, and | thus enable Lithuinoff to resume his | -activities in South Wales and Clyde.

| FAVOURABLE FRENCH OPINION jt (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) | LONDON, January 2 i. i The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris corresi jjwndent apropos of Australia’s and I .Now Zealands claims in tho Pacific, j «aws the French Government are full ' K,‘f admiration for the Dominion’s exi unions in the war and are anxious : to show their appreciation thereof. I VI. Clemenceau is on most cordial terms : with the Dominion Minister and is : all smiles at them. It is known > bore that the Omsk and Archangel . Governments decline a Conference with i the Bolsheviks. ARCHANGEL DIFFICULTIES. ! (Received this day at 9.2.) a.m.^ : LONDON, January 27. The “Morning Post’s’’ Archangel cori respondent says the Governor-General | has rightly forbidden the publication |of Use”text of Mr Wilson’s proposals I for a Conference with the Bolsheviks, i adopted by the Paris Conference owing | to the fear of its effects on the Rus- | sian population. Russian military ole- , luents oppose the proposal, describing it ' as the abandonment of Russia to Bol- | siieviks by 51 r Wilson. They throa- ! ten io rejoin the Siberian army if the Allies leave Archangel. The position jf „£ the Bolsheviks is strengthened by Hi,, Conferences invitation, which will encourage them to believe the Allies are yielding. Strong Bolsheviks attacks occurred ; "275 miles southeastward of Archangel. : oil a front mainly held by Americans, ; where 1800 shells have fallen on ouv i lines. The result is yet, unknown.

SETTLING THE ISLANDS. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 28. It is understood that Britain support:, Japan's claims to Marshall and C.uoliue ! Islands, and Japan supports Australia, f. 1 claims to the other islands.