PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

BRITAIN’S PLENIPOTENTIARIES TO SIGN PEACE TREATY. LONDON, February 20 In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law was asked the names of the plenipotentiaries actually empowered to agree on behalf of Britain to the peace terms. He replied, ‘The Premier, Mr. A. J, Balfour, Mr. G. N. Barnes, and one representative of the Dominions

He also stsated that the Goxernment possessed a list of the chief culprits in connection with the illtreatment of British prisoners, but emphasised that action cpuld only be taken in conjunction with the Allies. ■—■—Ml— I I. fW REPARATION. A DEFINITION WANTED

PARIS, February 21

It is understood that the Reparation Commission has decided to anticipate any question in regard to delay at a decision by referring back to the Council of Ten, asking their conception of what reparation is in regard to the original references to reparation in the American armistice terms. It is known that the American ideas and the expressed French conceptions are incompatible, whil -.the British' views approach nearer the French ideals.

THE ADRIATIC PROBLEM,

LONDON, Februaury 20

The suggestion is made to appoint a Special Commission to deal with the Adriatic question, Baron Sonino objects to Stand by the the Italian Treaty. There is a distinction be-, tween that Treaty and the Roumanian one, inasmuch as Roumania signed a separate peace. The Raids Conference has not reached a decision on this point. Signor Orlando is now in Rome, and it is possible that Baron Sonino’s attitude may have a reaction on the Italian political situation. It may be necessary to wait and see whether .(Signor Orlando or Baron Sonino will survive it. WILSON RETURNING TO FRANCE Received 9.0 WASHINGTON, February 21 President Wilson will return to Prance on the sth of March. . | THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS | PRESIDENT WILSON’S DIFFICULTIES. Received 11 a.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. Mr Sherman ashed the Senate to pass ia resolution requesting the President not to submit publicly to the League of Nations proposal until he had submitted it to the Senate., The President’s proposal to speak first at Boston is d'-'nounced. ALLIES PUNISH GERMANY HER NAVAL POWER GONE. PARIS, February ,j2O. ; The main clause of the Allies’ terms, which have reached the, final staeg for inclusion in the Peace preliminaries, will be found of dramatic interest. They have not only drastically destroyed the last remnant of German naval power, but also show how the respective navies fare under the League of Nations. Gerpiany will

be compelled to hand over immediately eight more battleships, including the Oldenburg and the Heligoland and others in fEeir classes; eight cruisers of the Strassburg class: for-ty-two modern destroyers, and fifty torpedo boats, as well as all remaining submarines. All sorts of warships contruction must be stopped, and ves'ols under construction or repair will be broken up under British supervision. All the above ships are to be destroyed within three months, and the submarines within fifteen days. The intention seems to be to burn into the German mind that the , guns have failed them. Auxiliary cruisers are to be dismantlecTof warlike material, which will be destroyed and the ships then as ordinary merchantmen, included in the list of prizes which will be considered in payment of reparation. Material commercially useful will be saved, but anything that cannot be utilised will be sunk or exploded. Thus ends Germany’s naval ambitions. She will be reduced to a few warships, about enough to police her dwindling coastHne > and there is where Powers forming the League of Nations means to keep her. The scale of construction permitted her will he narrow. How other naviees will stand under the League covenant is indefinite, but obviously forecasts reductions. The Allies would have divided the German Grand Fleet amongst themselves instead . of destroying it had this un-

perative demand for saving money j on armaments not been recognised. The decision to destroy the German fleet has still to be ratified, but though it is certain this course will I be followed, obviously the British, American, Japanese' ans French Navies will remain the only great fleets, and some nebulous understanding already exists concerning their respective strengths. There need be no trepidation that the British policy will surrender predominance. The British delegate recognises it is vital to sustain British naval power in spite of the League' of Nations. Britain will probably be found willing, even eager, to reduce her navy to pre-war strength. In other words, war accretion will probably be given up. This may be taken as practically decided. The question being considered is: What will be done with these fine Ships no longer desired by the Admiralty? The answer to this impoitant question is in the Dominions’ policy and desires, and the League i would most certainly approve of these vessels being handed over to Dominions for Dominion navies. New Zealand and South Africa would institute local navies. All old distrusts ,of separate Dominion navies seem to have disappeared. The general question of the re-distribution of the cost of the general defence of the Empire will be brought up at the Imperial Conference in London immediately after the Peace Congress. This thorny subject, which is fu ll of difficulties, might largely, be settled beforehand if the accept responsibility for the cost of maintaining local navies. It is believed New Zealand and South Africa have already been sounded. Indeed a New Zealand navy seems like an eventuality SOME KNOTTY POINTS PARIS, February 18 It is understood that during President Wilson’s absence the Peace Conference will handle only routine matter and not make momentous decisions until his return. Important matters which the Conference has not. yet definitely settled are: Fraee’s claims to the Saar Valley, Italy’s and the Jugo-Slavs 7 dispute in regard to Dalmatia, the conflicting territorial claims of Germans, Austrians, Poles. Czechoslovaks, Hungarians, Roumanians Greeks, Arabs and the Russian situation. It is still unknown whether the Prince’s Jslajnd cohferictoce .will be held. CONTROL OF SAMOA ! AN OFFER TO U.S.A. i. I AN INTERESTING RUMOUR.

PARIS. February 18.

it is stated that Mr. Lloyd George has urged President Wilson to assume mandatory responsibilities over the Samoan Islands. President Wilson did not commit himself. He may suggest to Congress, that the .United States assume the mandator^