PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE COLONIAL MANDATE. AREAL GERMAN OPINION.

Received 10.10 aan. LONDON. February 13,

Interviewed regarding the report t% the Berlin Bourse revived on the acceptance of the mandatory system, Mr. Hughes said no condemnation of \4e system could affect Bourses, which toore no sentiment. The Berlin Bourse's view refects Germany's real opinion. CHINESE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. Received 8.40 a.m. PARIS, February 13. Foreign Minister Wang, member of the Chinese peace delegation, interviewed, said China's foreign policy includes the following: Will join forces with the United States and other democracies of Europe, and expect their aid in establishing China as a sovereign independent nation; will object to the control of any portion of Chinese territory by a mandatory; will refuse to make further concessions to foreign Powers; and will abrogate existing treaties granting concessions. THE SOCIETY OF NATIONS AGREED UPON. Received 10.10 a.m. PARIS, February 14. A general agreement has been reach(cJlfby the Society of France xolakes important reservations. The proposed society will consist of Britain, Unite'd States, Japan, France, and four other nations. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Received 10.45 a.m.

PARIS, February 14,

No State is admisable into the Society of Nations unless it gives' guarantee of sincere support to the principles and purposes. Members Hind themselves to submit disputes to arbitration or recommendations, of the Executive of the Council. If the nation discards the League's ruling the Executive Council shall Ifceide what action is to be taken. The covenant provides for the reduction of armaments, and declares against private ownership of munitions. The covenant also established a general of Nations with an Executive CounAl, meeting at frequent intervals, a permanent international sec- j sjetariat. The pre-amble recites the i •establishment of international laws | as rules of conduct amongst the | nations. The covenant docs not provide for international police. The League members may tise force at the recommendation of the Executive Council of the Laague if a nation makes war without first submitting to arbitration. JAPAN AND FRANCE CAUSE TROUBLE. TWO AWKWARD AMENDMENTS. PARIS, February 13. Japan has proposed an amendment to the League of Nations draft, providing that all countries in the world must permit free ingress to all peoples. Another amendment from France asks two questions: (1) What guarantee is given for the protection of France's eastern frontier; (2) -what guarantee is there that the German vote in the United States will not use American politics in order to give Germany the strongest position wltain the League? "~

Obviously neither Britain nor America will entertain Japan's' TeqlleSt, but Franca may be met by pledging that each nation shall provide a certain force available for the mainten> ».. ance of the peace of the world. The 5 real significance of the amendments" is their antagonism to President Wilson. They represent Japan and France's way of curbing him in view of his dictatorial demands concerning the armistice. In other words, the.amendments cannot be separated from the general conflict now proceeding between Wissonism and realism. LONDON, February 13. The International Labour Commission decided at the Labour Conference that representatives of Governments, employers, and workers are entitled to speak and vote independently without regard to the views expressed by other representatives of their nations. This introduces an entirely new principle in the constitution of the international conference, with . powers to draw up conventions binding, on States. Hitherto the voting has always .been by nations. In future Labour conferences are to meet at tho capital of the League |a °f Nations unless a two-thirds mar.... jorfty decide ; to,meet elsewhere. The ,j|»ffice of the governing body will also. be located at the League Conference.

ALLIED POINTS OF VIEW. PARIS, February 13. The Peace delegates do not oppose reductions in the German army, but think a definite figure should be aet. There is a growing Belief that certain differences of opinion between the Allies could be satisfactorily settled by laying the foundation of lifting tbc German blockade and restoring the world to normal conditions. It is likely that America will abandon the proposal to continue the Peace Conference outsifle France, on account of the tendency to delay the peace agreement. '