PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 April 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

JAPANESE CLAIMS.

TEXT OP PREVIO/TS TREATIES

Received 9-25 a.m.

NEW YORK, April 22. The New York Times' Paris correspondent sends' the text of the agreements between Japan and England, and Japan, France, Italy., and Russia, made in February, 1917, whereby" the Powers agreed to support Japan's

claims to former German Islands in the •j&Pacific north of the equator, and Jap- ' anese claims to Shantung, while Japan agreed to support Britain's claims to the islands south of the Equator. The correspondent says Mr. Wilson and the . Chinese delegates were unaware of the arrangement when the peace conference opened, but when the question of mandatories was discussed Mr. Lloyd George said arrangements regarding the Pacific Islands had already been reached. There was an awkward moment when Mr Wilson asked the nature of the arrangements, which was then explained. Britain, in a message to Japan on 16th February, 1917, said with reference to Japan's desire for an assurance of 1 Britain's support of Japan's claims V at the Peace Conference, the British Government acceded with pleasure to the request- /She 'supports ffapamß claims regarding the disposal of Germany's rights in Shantung and the islands north of the equator, it being understood that the Japanese Government will treat in the same Britain's i claims to German islands south of the equator, Japan replied that Britain's attitude was a fresh proof of the close ties uniting the two Powers, and agreed to support Britain's claims. PARIS, April 22. Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Wilson, and M. Clemenceau discussed the Japanese question, Signor Orlando being absent.

GERMANS YIELD TO ALLIED DEMANDS.

Received 111.10 a.m

PARIS, April 21.

The Germans have yielded to the Allied demand, and Rantzau and six high, personages are to reach Versailles on the"2Bth.

GERMAN BLUPF AND INTIMIDATION.

WAYS THAT *ARE DARK.

TRICKS THAT ARE VAIN.

Received April 23, 10.10 a.m. LONDON, April 22. The' "Daily Telegraph's" Genoa

learns reliably that the *# German Government is determined to ■ continue the policy of bluff and intimidation. 'A former lEntentjo diplomat from Berlin, where he interviewed leading statesmen, is of opinion that the German delegates will either refuse to sign, or the Government will resign in ■consequence of the Military Party's pressure. Either course would indefinitely postpone peace and indemnities, and cause much alarm. Schieffer has resigned because he refused to conisider the acceptance of terms. Schieffer told the informant: The Entente wps powerless to force us by military or economic measures into financial slpvcry; therefore we do not see w!iy we shot-Id sign away our wealth &id liberty . f or the next twenty or thirty years *

It appears the Berlin Cabinet is divided on the question of the acceptance of the terms. The younger Ministers urge the refusal of the terms, accompanied by an ironical invitation to tie -Allies to occupy Germany. Tiey aigue occupation is impossible. The Allifc.-. dare not continue the blockade, fearing the spread of Bolshevism. They &lso calculate the Allied Socialists .ivyJl

«*upporf'Germany's passive resistavjt.. the other hand, Rantzau, Bera.-it j-If, and Berberg advocate obtaining 'all pcsfcible concessions by bluff, then accept: ng, trusting future developmc.its ivi'i enable modification or avoidanee of fulfilment of their obligations.

FOCH READY TO DEAL

WITH HIM.

PARIS, April 21.

Conference circles take a serious view of the German action, which is likely to upset this week's arrangements. Foch, in collaboration with Allied military experts, has prepared a complete scheme designed to bring the Germans to heel. The scheme has been, submittd to the Council of Four AN HONEST GERMAN. INTERVIEW WITH RANTZAU. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, April 19. The Frankfurt <Sjbzetfe states the German delegates are formulating claims against the Entente for comfor raids and expenses in* Currec! owing to delays in'the conclu-

sion of peace and prolongation of the blockade.

BERLIN, April 19

Rantzau, interviewed by Neue Free Presse, deprecated the suggestion that

Germany should take advantage of Entente dissensions.

The interviewer remarked the 'lis sensions at the Peace Conference must be very serious. Rantzau rejoined: So you are bent on making me play the aole tof p. Talleryrand at the preliminary Peace Conference, but things are very different from a hundred years ago. To-day peoples themselves take an active part in directing the course of history, That gives a completely different background to peace negotiations. It would, moreover, be foolish to attempt to play off one of our enemies against the others. Their relations are so close that such an attempt would soon be disclosed. He thought it would be worthier of a nation of 70,000,000 *o convince all its enemies, openly and straightforwardly, of the justice for which she is striving rather than by descending to paltry intrigue and fill with fresh explosives the political atmosphere which is still poisoned J th the effects of war propaganda. He added that Germany' and the whole world had received severe wounds in the past four years that all interested in the healing process should work smoothly. BOLSHEVIKS LOSE VILNA Received 12.30 a.m. WASHINGTON, April 22 A Russian wireless states the Bolsheviks have lost Vilna.

Belakun denies the report of his resignation.