THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

' STATEMENT BY FRENCH PREMIER.. THE FOUR GREAT NATIONS. NOTHING SHOULD SEPARATE THEM OLD INJUSTICES TO iBE REPAIRED. Received Jan. 1, 7.45 p.m. Paris, Dec. 30, M. Clemenceau (Premier), addressing ,tho. Chamber, said the credit vote taken showed that the Chamber supported the Government in peace as it had done in war. A conference will meet in a few days which will settle the fate of nations. France Is in a difficult situation, for she is near Germany, while America is far off, and had taken tinu to comb into the war, while England had responded at once on Mr. Asquith's .call.

„ M. Clemenceau added: "My guiding thought is that nothing should separate the four great peoples united by the war. I made up my mind not to question President Wilson, but to let him do the talking, which he did. He explained his views and his proposed means of supporting them. I would not be speaking the truth if I said I found myself In agreement with him on all points. I have pre-occupation9 which don't touch President Wilson as much as they do the man who has seen the Germans in our country for four years. There are old injustices to be repaired. "Talking of the freedom of the seas, I told President Wilson of the short conversation with Mr. Lloyd George, who said: 'Do you know that without the fleet, Britain would wot have been able to continue the war?' I replied, 'Yes.' Mr. Lloyd George went on: Would yon be disposed to do anything that would make it impossible for us to help you again?' I replied, 'No.' President Wilson said: 'I approve what was said,' and added that each side should retain its liberty." M. Clemenceau concluded: "If we don't arrive at an agreement, our victory will be vain."

The newspapers compare M. eeau's triumph to that of Mr. Lloyd George.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

ALLIES IN ACCORD. STATEMENT BY FRENCH PREMIER. Received Jan. 1, 7.45 p.m. New York, Dec. 31. The United Press correspondent at Paris interviewed M. Poincare (President), who said: "1 don't foresee the slightest, troubk. The Allies are arriving at the most complete accord, even concerning the details of peace. We are already in haxmoWy on general lines, and the details will/be settled as soon as the, delegates begin their wort, but it will naturally take some time. President Wilson j's bound to play a capital role at the Peace Conference. We hope to have .President Wilson's aid in the settlement of the principles of peace before his departure." correspondent adds that M. Poincare plans to visit th« United States after the Conference,—United Press.

AGREEMENT REACHED. ON ALL PEACE PRINCIPLES. Received Jan. 1, 11.40 p.m. London, Dec. 31. The Morning Post states that President Wilson's conference with the British Dominions' representatives was marked with extreme cordiality. Everyone is satisfied that the preliminary Imperial War Cabinet has reached a complete, and comprehensive agreement in on all peace questions and succeeded sufficiently in defining the broacf "oitTiiaes.

AMERICAN VIEWS. ON PRESIDENT WILSON'S STATEMENTS. Received Jar. 1, 7,45 p.m. New York, Dec. '3l. The American press comments adversely on M. Clemenceau's ideas of opposing President Wilson. General approval is given to President Wilson's Manchester declaration that the 'United States will not join to maint&in the balance of power, but will give adhesion to a combination of all nations.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoe, DIVERGENCE OF OPINION. Received Jan. 1, 7.45 p.m. London, Dec. 30. Newspapers reveal a ceftain uneasiness is apparent regarding the divergence between M. Clemenceau and President Wilson, but it is obvious an endeavor will be made to avoid suggesting anything like a substantial disagree-ment.—Aus.-N Z. Cable Assoc.