PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

i SOME IMPORTANT MATTERSDISCUSSED BY COUNCIL. I PARIS, JanHary 23. The Supreme Council discussed international labour legislation, reparatio% the punishment of the Germans porra and waterways, with a view of arranging an agendfe for the fiist plenty conference on\Saturday. KEW ZEALAND’S POSITION. PARIS, January 23. Mr Massey had an interview with Mr Lloyd George, objecting to the allocation of only one delegate to New Zealand. Mr. Lloyd George, pointed out that New Zealand’s position was the result of the Peace Conference’s decision, not that of the British Government. Mr Massey declared that if the othfer Dominions asked for representation in a League of Nations he would demand the same for New Zealand. WILSON’S OPINION. Received noon, LONDON, January 23. The Evening Standard’s Paris correspondent says it is incorrect to suppose Mr Wilson wants the German colonies Restored. He believes their -neighbours should decide the question. | INDEMNITIES. * WILSON’S OPPOSITION CEASES. Received 11 a.m. PARIS," January 24. It is reported President Wilson has abandoned his opposition to the demand for punitive indemnities from Germany. The Supreme Council is now discussing disarmament.

THE RUSSIAN DEADLOCK. ALLIED MISSION TO MEET RUSSIAN DELEGATES. PARIS, January 23. The Council’ of the Great Powers has discussed the situation in Eastern Europe, and the Polish situation was also considered. General Foc-h attended and advised on the military aspects. St was decided to send a mission comprising eight delegates consisting of and one soldier each, representing America, Britain, France and Italy, to inquire into conditions and ascertain what help was necessary. Both America and Britain Insisted on 'obtaining the fullest and most trustworthy information. Similar views we're expressed in regard to Russia. President Wilson proposed a motion in this direction, but the difficulty of securing news from the interior of Russia was recognised, but it ■was suggested that the contiguous countries should be visited.

The official communique states that the Conference approved of President Wilson's proposal that the single object of the Associated Powers was to assist Russia to the utmost, and to recognise her right to settle her own affairs. There is no desire to exploit Russia in any way. The conference invited the representatives of recognised groups in European Russia, except Finland, to send three representatives from each group to Princes Island, in the Sea of Marmora, to meet representatives from the conference, provided all military activity in Eastern Russia and Finland ceased. The meeting of the Peace Conference and the Russian delegates was fixed to take place on Fbruary 15th. The conference’s proposal was -wirelessed to Russia. A plenary meeting of the conference will he held on Saturday, when Mr. .Lloyd George moves the League of Nations proposals. M. Sasanoff says the invitation to the is an outrage on the Russians who remained faithful to the Entente. He refuses to participate in th meetings, and says he is sure Deaekin and Omsk Governments will also refuse to participate.

VIEWS OF THE GREAT POWERS

LONDON, January 23

The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent summarises the Great Powers’ views on the question of Russian intervention. He says France is perfectly ready to assist in material, hut not men. Britain is understood to favour intervention in the Caspian Sea. Italy is not against intervention, but gives no indication as to her method. President Wilson always hoped Bolshevism would ultimately work out its own salvation. Japan restricts her interests to Siberia. It is for the conference to harmonise these conflicting views. The delegates are heartily tired of the discussion on barren questions of procedure The* cumbrous composition of the sconference must have pleased the 'peojpfr beyond the Rhine. It does noT conduce to rapid despatch of business.

* MR. MASSEY INDIGNANT, LONDON, January .22. The New Zealand delegates are making their case public. Mr. Massey’s claim to two delegates rests soundly upon New Zealand’s war efforts. He points out that New Zealand’s sacrifices were proportionately equal to the United Kingdom’s and greater than any other Dominion. He declares “New Zealand looks a small country from here, but on the basis of sacrifices it is more entitled to two representatives than certain other nations.” It is understood Mr. Lloyd George pointed out that Britain was sympathetic, but the limitation of representation was the work of the Congress as a whole. Other nations regarded the additional New Zealander as an additional British delegate.

Mr. Massey does not blame Britain or the other Dominions, but outspokenly criticises the conference’s decision. He strongly supports Mr. Hughes plea for separate Dominions’ representation in the League of Nations. AN INTERNATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION. Received, noon. PARIS, January 23. Messrs. Roberts and Barnes are as sisting at the coaference and discussing the European food situation. Mr. Barnes, interviewed, said the conference when dealing with the League of Nations (will simultaneously appoint an international labour commission to devise machinery for batidling international labour problems.

BOLSHEVIK OUTRAGES. THE CONFERENCE IMPRESSED. Received 9.25 a.m. PARIS, January 22. The “Petit Parisien” says that Seaveniusf statement at the conference favoured immediate energetic intervention in Russia. Peasants in several provinces when trying to resist tyranny were shot in hundreds by the Red Guards. Committees will be formed in towns allegedly for the purpose of quelling the counter revolution, and continue to hunt the bourgeois and the few intellectuals who escaped imprisonment or revolutionary tribunals and who remained. The bourgeois and intellectuals were forced to subsist on starvation rations, whereas Bolshevik partisans were allowed ample fool. It is understood that Seavenius greats impressed the conference.