PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

LEAGUE’S EFFICACY

AMERICA’S IMPORTANT ROLE . MONTREAL, February 5 Till United Press correspondent at Paris interviewed General Maurice, svhoisaid that the real efficiency of the League would be in the territorial commitments outside of a mandatory’s own continent. It was absolutely vital that the United States should assume the the moral leadership of the League. America’s most important contributions to the League are financial and military. It is certain we cannot oDt£u-- ouincient funds in Germany to reconstruct Europe, develop Europe, develop the German colonies, or finance new republics We are dependent on the United tSates for mOhey. The Brit..— and United States fleets will be the chief weapons of the League to enforce mandates by the application of economic pressure. ITALY’S ACQUIESCENCE.

NEW YORK, February 5,

The New York “Herald's Paris correspondent is informed from the most reliable source that Italy is willing to disregard the London treaty, relating to her claims to Italia Irridenta and other territory in. the Adriatic, as soon as it is that the League of Nations* i •will'bring about a fair territorial readjustment. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. AMERICA’S POSITION DEVELOPING . Received i. 50 a.m. PARIS, eFbruary 5. The Commission on the League of Nations has not issued communiques, but it bas held lengthy sittings and made great progress with a view to enabling Mr. Wilson to carry an approved plan to merica. There is a good deal of discussion outside the commission as to the effect of the League ox Nations, and Whether it will supersede* the Monroe Doctrine or strengthen it. Many hypothetical questions have been raised In'view of the United States taking mandatory powers over certain European territory, ana also whether some European Powers might not find to intervene in the Western Hemisphere. For instance, if South American nations became embroiled, would the league have power to assign the task of quelling the dispute to i given group of nations, including a European country, or would it defer it to the United States. This point has interest for Australia, inasmuch as she {may be liable to be called upon to contribute her quota of soldiers to any of the league’s little wars wherein the British Empire’s interests may not in the least be concerned. On the other hand the value of the league in preventing wars may be worth this contribution. The expression of America’s public opinion reflected in a cablegram from'New York shows uneasiness as to the course The league is taking. Newspapers give promineSCe to Mr. Taft’s demands for a “league with teeth.” He objects to mandatories over the German colonies, and claims they shfJhld be administered direct by the League. He thinks mandatories are nothing less than thinly veiled territorial acquisitions. If Taft’s idea is developed it will not relieve Mr. Wilson of his present embarassment over mixing America up in complicated Near Eastern problems, over which it is suggested she should exercise a mandatory power, it is these very doubts as to what powers will ultimately be vested in an increased league that makes Mr. Hughes insist On an explicit mandatory being granted by the Peace Conference.

The League of Nations Societies of the Congress concluded its sittings, and submitted further resolutions to the Powers. It urges that no clause contrary to the principles of Mr. Wilson’s fourteen points should be included in the peace treaty; that the league should recognise the importance of education; that there should he periodical international labour conferences of employers and workers for the purpose of keeping international regulations abreast of the times. The Peace Conference should impose on enemy States in the peace treaty limitation’of armaments and control of their manufactures In such a way as to allow States belonging tc the League ' of Nations to reduce their military and naval forces of its members to a degree compatible wifS preventing aggression by non-members, but the Allied' States should consider their defence sufficiently provided for a con- | siderable period by the arms and munitions which victory has placed in Iraeir hands; - tbapdhe Allied States ought to forbid of arms and munitions to countries not members of the League. ' The American delegates sympathised with the proposals, but declined to commit themselves on all points raised. It is felt the first step roust be in the

direction of disarming the enemy States. Until this is accomplished the Allies must maintain a strong force. M. Venizelos’llid hot press his claim to Constantinople, nor to territory bordering on either side of the Dardanelles, but claimed Doflecancs Islands and Cyprus.

Some form of European mandatory will be applied to the Dardanelles.

AMERICA AND THE DARDA-

NELLES. Received 9.10 a.m. PARIS, February 6. Much pressure is being brought to bear on the United States to become the mandatory to control the Dardanelles and Constantinople.

WORK OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS,

Received 9.55 a.m.

PARIS, February 5

The International Labour Legislation Commission has agreed’to adopt as the basis of discussion the British proposals for the establishment of a permanent organisation for dealing with matters internationally. At the first meeting of the Financial Commission, the Italian. ex-Premier Slanza was nominated president. Mr. Mofßague was appointed to examine a project for the financial nature of the League *Uf Nations, drawn up by M. Klotz, the French Minister of Finance. LEAGUE OF NATIONS CONSTITUTION. AGREEMENT REACHED Received 10.10 a.m. PARIS, February 6. It is officially announced that an agreement has been reached as to the principles underlying the inter League of Nations constitution. SCENES AT THE CONGRESS. o OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIESMR. LLOYD GEORGE IMPASSIVE. LONDON, February 5. The Daily Mail staff in Paris reports that when the small nations are admitted to the Peace Congress it will be a polyglot conference, but so far t/mnslations have been rapid, A skilled French officer, who is sufficiently accomplished to twist one tongue into another with great rapidity. is the only interpreter. Delegates havle spokjen in any language which they liked. M. Clemenceau spoke in English to Mr. Wilson and to Mr Lloyd George, casting a few helpful words to M. Pichon, Foreign Minister, in order to enable him to follow the drift of the argument.

Mr Bonar Law and Mr Balfour have spoken in French, finishing with a short English translation. Barm Sonnio used English or French,- then whispered the Italian version to Signor Orlando, while the interpreter translated the speech for others.

Mr Lloyd George, Mr. Wilson and Mr Lansing used English. Mi. ClemanfCeau Inform pated the interpreter by giving the gist of the translation Tn a few phrases. He often interrupted arguments and sometimes told the conference to hurry and not delay.

Mr B'onar Law and Mr Balfour often spoke and always charmingly and blandly. Mr Lloyd George remained impasive, leaning far back in bis chair, with his eyes almost shut cccassionally getting up with a jerk and speaking briefly and authoritatively.

Mr Wilson has been the chief spokesman throughout, whilst the Japanese representative slat always immovable, seeing everything, understanding everything, and saying nothing.

MR, MASSEY RAISES A POINT. PARIS, February 4. Although Mr. Massey’s main argument against the mandatory system was the opportunity given for German economic and social, and ultimately military penep'-dlon, he also sSSTChingly analysed, the financial position, claiming that no State couldi vigorously develop the country if it had only revocable mandatory rights. Careful examination of this point resulted in an interesting clause in the provisional League of Nations scheme, providing, in the event of a deficit in the cost of administering the League of Nations’ territory, that any mandatory country can apply to the League for the whole of the deficit, the members of the League being bound to make a proportional contribution. Difficulties immediately suggest themselves. Presumably the League would send auditors and' experts to examine the reason for the deficit, involving travelling and prying investigation. Some members of the League may contend that tho administration has been weak and stupid. The auditors may make a trenchant report affecting party politics In

the mandatory State. The question of revision or revocation of the mandate may arise. These difficulties are being considered patiently, with a view to solution. AMSTERDAM, February 5The British have temporarily suspended the “Cologne Gazette” and “Tageblatt” owing to articles concerning Anglo-French relations.

STATEMENT BY MR. HUGHES

PARIS. February 5

It is understood Mr Hughes disputes the statement that the mandatory principle was accepted by the Imperial War Cabinet in December. He stated, that the compromise agreement of the mandatory policy consists of eight articles. including provision tor the populations of the Ottoman Empire to select their own mandatory power. The policy also insists tbaF the mandatory for the Pacific colonies and West African territory shall furnish the League 'with an annual report.