THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. OAULF. ASSOCIATION AMERICA SURPRISED. (Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. The disclosure <>f a Japanese and British Secret Treaty, allotting Marshall and Caroline Islands to the Japanese has surprised American opinion. It is understood Mr Wilson intends to make a counter proposal for the internationalisation of all the Pacific colonic, ,v notable PHRASE. LONDON, Jan. 26. Mr Hughes’ speech at Paris stating that Australia had won their rights respecting the Pacific Islands, fs attracting widespread attention.

• LLOYD GEORGE RETURNS (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, Jan. 28. Hon. Lloyd George’s unexpected return to London this week is attributed to labour unrest. SECOND PLENARY SESSION. AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. LONDON, January 27. Official.—The New Zealand delegates attended the second plenary session of the Peace Conference, Mr Massey representing New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward as a member of Britain’s delegation. It was a brilliant scene when Mr Wilson in the intense silence of concentrated universal expectancy, set in serious motion, the idealistic movement towards the creation of the League of Nations to end Avar for ever. The President’s statement was 'charmingly eloquent, but disappointingly unconvincing. Full value was given .to every word also to every omission, for the great Assembly obviously realised that the argument A'/as more the idealistic product- of atudy than a substantial machine for remedying the permanently Iranian frei-jit-ies.* His most impressive point was impressively made-, this being a solemn -warning that the delegates were not the representatives of Government but representatives of the peoples who were surfeited with war and bade the. Conference make a permanent peace. There fore the League must be the unslumbering eye of the nations. He moved for the adoption of the proposal and the immediate appointment of a Committee j to prepare details, | Hon. Lloyd George seconded, and , said the personal sight of the widespread devastation in France and acres, of graves, had convinced him it was time that saner plans than organised savagery were adopted for the settlement of disputes. The motion was supported by Italy, China, Poland, Belgium and smaller powers. Mr Hughes drew an assurance from M. Clemenceau that the delegates would have an opportunity to discuss the completed scheme. The Conference later degenerated into a- ivrangle over the representation of small states on special commissions. Sometimes three delegates were simultaneously rising. The barrage of argument and final procedure surprised j many delegates, M. Clemenceau quickly included several undiscussed subjects in the resolution, which was cairied, onlv a few delegates voting. Mr Massey lunched on Monday with lion. Lloyd George.