PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

WORK OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES BELGIUM WANTS INCREASE OF TERRITORY. Received 8.44 a.m. PARIS, February 6. The League of Nations Committee have discussed suggestions for penalties against making war in defence of the League,

The question of compulsory arbitration has beerUreferred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Wilson, Lloyd George and Balfour, to draw up recommendations. Several useful suggestions were made by the Japanese delegates, who are Hfesirous to co-oper-ate to the fullest extent. America presented a separate memorandum, including suggestions regarding the freedom of the seas. This is Unlikely to be dealt with practically until the leagug-Ts a fait accompli. The memorandum also deals with conscription and disarmament. It is argued there cannot be freedom of the seas without the abolition of submarines and restriction of mines outside territorial waters. The latter may De increased beyond the three-mile limit In view of the increased range of modern artillery. It is suggested thh mines, used should become inoperativey when they break away from their anchorage. Belgium desires the incorporation ot Luxembourg, which contains a preponderance of Belgian subjects, also territory south of the Scheldt, formerly added to Holland, including free navigation of the Scheldt to Antwerp. Belgium is . prepared to offer Holland certain territorial exchanges.

THE GERMAN COLONIES.

THEIR RETURN IMPOSSIBLE.

LONDON, February (1

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, interviewed, said: The Germans presented us with a memorandum asking for the re : storation of the colonies, but our working classes are intransigent. Germany provoked the war and the Germans acted like barbarians. They must lose their colonies. We are powerless.

MR. HUGHES DEFINES HIS POSITION.

PARIS, February 5

Interviewed, Mr. Hughes said-: What good the Rhine frontier is to Franco the Pacific Islands frontier is to Australia. What the Monroe Doctrine is to America the Pacific question Is to Australia. My attitude only interpreted what Australia feels. I can say nothing regarding the arrangement made for the disposition of the islands, except where w* ought to lee’ "tain and safe we feel we "are in uofiot and perhaps great danger. It, ie not that the provisional settlement may (sjsS give us all essential security, but it does nqt do so yet.

MR. BORDEN’S ANALOGY

PARIS, February 5.

Mr Borden, interviewed, said the British Empire was itself a commonwealth of Free Nations, which affords a certain analogy to the proposed League of Nations. The purpose of the League is so compelling and supreme that no- thoughtful man can withhold support from it.