PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 January 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE GERMAN COLONIES. ; ‘ AN AMERICAN REPORT. NEW YORK, January 29 Mr. Lawrence, tie Evening Post’s Paris correspondent, understands that Wilson “'has obtained the aequiecence of the Powers to the prinicjde of internationalisation of the cajf&ured German colonies. PRESIDENT WILSON CRITICISED. Received 9.45 a.xn. OTTAWA January 30. The Canadian press criticises President Wilson’s policy as protesting overmuch idealism. History shows that a shadowy suzerainty is unworkable. MASSEY AND HUGHES. AGAINST WILSON’S PROPOSAL. Received' 9-45 a.m. LONDON. January 30. Interviewed, Messrs, Massey and Hughes refused to answer questions regarding the disposition of colonies under President Wilson’s plan. •BRITAIN AND JAPAN. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS QUESTION. Received 8.50 a.m. TOKIO, January 28. /The Japanese Foreign Office ann«mees there is perfect agreement between Japan and the Allies regarding the future of the Pacific Islands. PRESIDENT WILSON’S MOVEMENTS. TO VISIT AMERICA. Received S.oO a.m. PARIS January 29. President Wilson will sail in the battleship New Mexico about the 12th of February. He will return to Paris at the end of March. ■ LABOUR AND PEACE CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT SUBJECTS CONSIDERED. Received 9.20 s.nfi

LONDON, aJnuary 29. Sir Joseph Ward attended a special ftfpference between British delegates tor the Peace Conference and BrHT&i Labour representatives, including Messrs. Barnes, Thomas and Henderson, who are giving attention to a tentative scheme to regulate international labour. The scheme aims at securing the establishment of- international minimum standards, and-the immediate objects include the appointment of *a■ preliminary commission by the Peace Congress to enquire into questions of international adjustment of labour conditions, also the creation of a permanent bureau, with a council drawn from Britain, France, America, Italy and Japan, anti the arranging of conventions. The principal practical aims include the prohibition of night work for women and children. Sir Joseph Ward explained the advanced labour conditions in New Zealand as regards the protection of women and juvenile workers and social legislation. The Conference appreciated Sir Joseph Ward’s explanation. The Conference is not concluded.

GOVERNMENT OP COLONIES. MANDATORY system proposed Received. 8.50 a.m. LONDON, January 30. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent states it is highly probable that lat to-morrow’s conference it will be proposed that a mandatory system to apply generally to tie col||nies and to other occupied territory, outside Europe, also that delimitation pewters be defined by the League of Nations, will be made.

SAMOA. NEW ZEALAND’S CLAIM ADVANCED. LONDON, January 28. The main subject for consideration before the Council of the Great Powers in the meantime is the disposal of the German colonies and the claims of the respective British Dominions The principal issue turns upon th'e system of future control, especially whether the control is to be internationalised under (a League of Nations with onia nation acting as mandatory. There Das been keen dissatisfaction over the fact that only one delegate from ;oach Dominion is allowed to present his case. This is generally surprising, since the Minis:4jfexial delegates in most cases were jointly concerned in the enterprise oSP&apturing the German colonies. It is understood the delegates have submitted a strong case. Mr Massey presented the case for New Ziealand in respect of Samoa, and emphasised firstly the virility and (enterprise of

New Zealand, which wias destined, he lieved, to be as useful to humanity in the Southern Hemisphere as the United Kingdom has been to humanity in the Nonthevn Hcmisj|here.| j He recounted Samoa’s unhappy history since the seventies and the unsatisfactory results of the triple protectorate. Germany had been allowed to Establish great trading stations all over the Pacific, also energetic financial commercial companies, a strong naval squadron and a powerful wireless station. This was the position facing Niew Zealand when the war broke out. '\ He contrasted the treatment of the Samoans with the treatment of the Now Zealand'natives, who had been treated equally with other citizens, The Maoris weito merging into the European population. New Zealand immediately on the declaration of war, Responded to the request to send a military expedition to Samoa, whose harbours were offering shelter to raiders on New Zealand commerce. Samoa, in fact, was the headquarters of the Gorman fleet in the Pacific. Two thousand New Zealanders, within ton days of the outbreak of war, accepted the great risk, and, with the aid of an Australian Dreadnought land a French cruiser, Sectored the surrender i of German Samoa, and since had successfully maintained occupation acceptably to the native population of 45,000. The Premier also explained New Zealand’s menace from the German squadron in the Pacific, and cited the Coronet battle, in which British cuisers were outranged. It was only the presence of the Australia that prevented a German bombardment of New Zealand coastal towns and extensive destruction of New Zealand shipping, especially that convoying foodstuffs to Britain, into the Pacific, which sank ships and Nevertheless, the German got raiders into the Pacific and laid many mines. New Zealand was endeavouring, not unsucessfully, to build up the British nation in the Pacific and did not want to be again confronted with a menace similar to that of the past. Joint control always and everywhere had been an ignominious failure. What a native relied on, required and wanted, was opportunity to develop in the security of generous practical control such as fhat which had inspired spontaneous loyalty and substantial sacrifices of the Maoris and South Sea. Islanders, who had fought equally nobly with the Allies’ armies and acquitted themselves like men. New Zealand’s administration in Samoa had not been a war experiment, but simply an extension of settled and successful policy as regards the treatment of a native race. Ho strongly urged, for the sake of peoples in the South Pacific that Samoa remain under British control.

A THORNY PROBLEM. PRIVATE VESTED INTERESTS. Received 9.5 a.m. PARIS, January 29. The Australian. Press Association correspondent states one of the thorniest problems confronting the Commission of Repatriation lies in the enormous amount of compensation demanded by the various war sufferers. It is difficult to see how Germany can ever meet the claims Britain might be satisfied with receiving ton for i for shipping sunk, while France might be met by the utilisation of mines in the Saar valley. Here a difficulty arises in the heavy vested interests held in these properties by the French before the war. The Germans long tried to buy out the French interests. It might now be possible for the French to buy out the German private interest. Failmg this some temporary control might be exercised over the mines until the French claims are satisfied. Other suggestions to meet the ease lie in the control of German railways and customs.

COLONIES AND LEAGUE OF NATIONS. LONDON, January 29. General Maurice, writing in the “Daily News,’’ from Paris, says: The first real test of the League of Nations is now proceeding in the settlement of the German colonies. He has not found confirmation for the report that the five Great Powers intend to finally settle the question. It may be presum ed that they will submit their recommendations to the Plenary Conference. It may be taken that President Wilson, Mr. Lloyd George, and M. Clc r menceau will be certain to earnestly and sincerely attempt to apply the principles of a League of Nations to the settlement of the colonies, also the conquered Adriatic territory. President Wilson definitely proposed that those possessions be entrusted to the nearest who will administer them on behalf of the League of Nations. General Maurice understands that Britain is prepared to, accept the proposal where she is able to do so with full authority, but is unwilling to interfere with the views .and rights of the Dominions.

Received 9.2 V a.m,

LONDON, January 29.

General Maurice writes: Australia particularly feels strongly that unoSputed possession is the only compensation obtainable for the great war sacrifices, but it is not beyond hope she would consent to lift the question to a higher plane and recognise that her legitimate aspirations will be met i? she were appointed a trustee for the League. Britain is prepared to set a good example regarding the Camerbons, and Togoland by giving France the trusteeship. If Australia accepts the League’s principles and abates her indisputable claims it will make the difficult problems of European settlement easier of solution. Those who arc disposed to magnify the obstacles to the League’s realisation are watching ithe discussions on this (subject closely. The “Daily Express” ’ Paris correspondent writes that though “Humanite” declares the British colonial demands are brutal pretensions to which Mr. Wilson will never agree, it is understood the American delegates aro considerably impressed by Mmjrs. Hughes’ and Botha’s statements. Possibly several more sittings will be necessary before the question is settled.

CONFERENCE AS PEACE-MAKER. FATE OF COLONIES DECIDED Received 11.35 a.m. PARIS, January 30. In consequence of fighting on the frontiers of Silesia and Bohemia between the Czecho-Slovaks and Poles, the Conference has decided that the Allies shall occupy the. disputed area. The Anglo-French Governments have accepted Mr. Wilson’s colonial mandatories scheme. It is expected the Conference will decide about the colonies to-day, handing over the territories to the nations claiming them, subject to the supervision of the League.