THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

J FAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] STATEMENT BY LORD CECIL. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 18. j.iord Cecil addressing the Press Delegation stated that scarcely a day passed in tiie peace negotiations without the League cropping up. If the League were an essential element in the pacification of the world, the soon*

er it got together the better. He looli eel with great fear on any attempt t postpone its operation. He did no think the inclusion of a concrete coven ant had already produced any obiqui ties which could not be remedied. Hi did not believe any prolonged consider ation would remove all the ambiquitiei from the document of the joint peoples, The view that the Covenant shoulc form part of the peace preliminary was the view of the British Government. He believed the Munroe Doctrine would be strengthened by the League. United States was an enormous power comparable to England after the Napoleonic wars. A great responsibility lay with America. She could not afford to say she would refuse interest herself in what goes on in the world, without being false to her responsibilities. There had been some criticism over Britain’s representation on the League, but the Dominions desired representation in order to properly bring forward matters of importance to them, rather than have them voic'd by the British Government. j JAPANESE DECISION. | (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) > PARIS, March 19.

President Wilson had a conference with Viscount Matsiji, who, when told it was impossible for the League to give Japanese equal rights for immigration with Caucasians, said Japan would not delay the adoption of the League by insisting, meantime. RACIAL EQUALITY. (Received This Da\ at 8.45 a.m.) PARIS, March 18. An America it correspondent a slued Lord Cecil whether the Japanese plea for racial equality was considered. Lord Cecil replied that- however much they may sympathise with the principle of racial equality, on e cannot insert any such principle in the League without interfering with interna/tional affairs of tfie countries affected. The principle of non-interference has been carefullyguarded throughout the League discussions. That will be the British Delegations answer to the Japanese.

A later message'.states the Japanese Delegation informed Mr Wilson and Hon. Lloyd George that they had withdrawn their demand that the League guarantees the abolition of racial dis crimination. The Japanese agree to join the League, but reserve the right to bring up racial qjuestion at anytime.

A SENATOR’S STATEMENT. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 19. Senator Leon Root, in a speech, said if Mr Wilson does not negotiate a Peace Treaty satisfactory to the American people, Congress undoubtedly’ will independently declare the war- with Germany terminated.

WAR COUNCIL. PARIS. 'March 19.

The War Council agreed that a number of the Allied Commission with headquarters at Berlin should supervise Germany’s compliance with the peace terms.

WATERWAY’S COUNCIL. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) PARIS, March 119

It is understood the Waterways Commission recommends a new international Rhine Commission, over which France should preside. German Riparian States will have four delegates, Switzerland four, Holland, Belgium and Britain two each. Belgium to have the right to construct a deep canal from the Meuse to the Rhine. AIR COUNCIL. LONDON, March 23. The International Air Council is to become a permanent organisation of the League of Nations. Pilots arc divded into civil, military and naval sections, and are to be licensed on an international basis. Civil pilots wifi be permitted shorter training than naval and military.