THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

POINCARE'S SPEECH. Tribute to Britain's Ideas of Justice. value 6T American Intervention. Tuns, Jan. 10. Mr Praser slates: At the conference If Poinaure mi-de a pawing reference to Germany's effort to detach England. The latter held by her ideas oi Justice, and BVitain and her Dominions and colonies engaged in the coni'ict. These Dominions accomplished with Gre.it Britain prodigious efforts to bring the war to a triumphant termination.

M. Poincare proceeded to pay tribute to other nations and countries, with a special eulogium on President Wilson and America's intervention. This was a great politico! jin<l military event They came to Europe 10 help save civilisation. We had gained complete victory over a powerful enemy, who, in order to prevent irremediable disaster, obtained an armistice. \ve are relieved from imperialistic conquest, and now meet to deal oat justice in matters of territory, finance, "&nd economically in such a. way as will not encourage a recurrence ol such crime. Nations must not be exposed to aggressions and menaces. The conference must seek to introduce the greatest possible harmony »in the world. Immortal glory will attach to all nations and men who collaborate in this noble task.

M. Poincare concluded: "I leave you Bow to your grave deliberation, and deelare the Conference opened." Received Jan. 21, 2.20 p.m. 11. Poincare added that after the enormous sacrifices for which Frauce hid not the slightest responsibility, the delegates of the great Powers hid assembled to impose justice on those guilty of an unprecedented crime. They had rJI the qualities for the establishment of justice, peace, and humanity, and he had confidence they would not violate its right. They possessed information proving who had originated tiie drama which agitated the world. The Central Empires had secretly and complieitly invented odious pretexts to pass over Serbia's body to the Ea-t, and, through Belgium, to France's heart.—Am. X.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE PARAMOUNT DIFFICULTY. PROVISIONING GERMANY, AND INDEMNITIES. London. Jan. 17 Tho Iteming Post's special Paris corrtspuiident states that divergencies of opiaicm at the conference now centre on th.' tending of Germany and the question of indemnity, whicli is the greatest difficulty. President Wilson always favored payment by Germany for damages caused by ths war, but ia unwilling to acquiesce in an indemnity in addition. The English delegates icore or less agree with Mr. Wilson on this point, but i'rißce has drawn up a careinl account of her losses from every source and will shortly present the bill. It is understood the conTereuce will Sot discuss the freedom of the seas. It is believed that China is protesting Against having only two seats. Fi.e delegate? have arrived, including the foreign Minister. The Chinese regard Japan as their principal opponent. They deny the Japanese 'iovernment's recent f statement tliat Chinese m.d Japanese interest* will be represented in common.— Am N.Z. Cable Assoc.

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. THE POSITION OF RUSSIA, Paris, Jan. 19. The Dominion Premiers and .Mr. Lloyd George held a series of conferences and reached an agreement regarding the British attitude towards the question of freedom of the seas The conference debated the Russuui situation, M. Noulens addressing the delegates on the conditions at Archangel. At the next session the Danish Minister Savenui; from Petrogrnd, will speak. —Aus N.Z. Cable Assoc. RESTRICTIONS ON THE PRESS. London, Jan. 17. The main incident which led to M. C3eme:iceau's demand for restrictions on correspondents at Versailles arose impudent cablegrams to New Yor.c papers regarding differences which were ion-existent. To-day's conference was chiefly devoted to the Russian expeditions.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. FORECAST OF GERMAN DELEGATION. Zurich) Jan. 17. Munich papers state that the German delegates to the Peace Conference will be Prince Lichmnreki, Co™t Bfwkdorit ffrmrf. Aroo, and the Socialist fcwtsky.-Jaii. KX fioa

GREECE'S CLAIMS. NOT VERY MODEST^ Received Jan. 22, 1.30 a.m. Paris, Jan. 19. 11. Venizelos, in an interview oy the Temps, said Greece claims Thrace. He admits this will deprive Bulgaria of an access to the Aegean, but Bulgaria's economic interests were not essential enough to induce Grecoe to eternally suffer the domination of insatiable neighbors. M. Venizelos believes Constantinople should bo internationalised and that all the eastern Mediterranean islands should return to Greece.—United Service. JAPAN IN THE PACIFIC. THE INDISCRETIONS OF HUGHES. Received Jan. 22, 1.40 a.m. "aris, Jan. 20. Coijsiderable agitation is roused m certain quarters by the outspoken statement by Mr. Hughes, in an interview v"<th an American paper.He said: "If we don t get fair treatment concerning the Pacific Islands, I will nor hesitate to appeal to public opinion of the Allied countries. The Japanese are highly intelligent peonle, but their ways are r.ot our wavs. We would ward not without suspicion any geographical advance of Japan towards Australia."—Unitei Service.

LEACUE OF NATIONS. PRACTICAL SCHEME EVOLVED. A SOLID BASIS FOR PEACE. Paris, Jan. 19. Air. Fraser, the AuF.try.iian Press Association correspondent, states that representatives of the Allied Powers resolved to maintain the German blookiide with the utmost rigidity, although at the instance of America some relief may he afforded to meet the shortage of fats in the Central Empires. The blockade againsi, the mails continues drastically, otherwise German-owned securities, from which much of the indemnities must come, would bo likely to disappear. The conference, as indicated bv M. Clemenceau, will devote its early sittings to discussion of the league of nations' "I leani that during the past week a great deal of work has been accomplished in this direction, and that something like a practical scheme' has been evolved, only requiring the full conference's finishing touch. During these preliminary discussions a sense of disappointment was felt in certain quarters with President Wilson's purely academic views on the subject. Some delegates optimistically elpected something like a clear-cut scheme from Mr. Wilson instead of a nebulous idealistic conception. It is believed, hovrcver, that conversations between the Allied Powers residted in solid bases bein!? laid for a superstructure." | Mr. Fraser stated that it is understood I on good authority that President Wilson will unfold a" concrete scheme for B league of nations with a view of enabling men like Lord Robert. Cecil, General Smuts, and M. Bourgeoi.se to draw up a definite constitution. Mr. Wilson's scheme embodies many important British features, and generally proceeds along the lines suggested by General Si i.'ts. The American scheme provides inr arbitration, with punitive measures tii prevent an outbreak of war. Germany and Russia will be taken in when they are stabilised. Tt.e league will afford every possible aid to both nations President Wilson feels that the peaoe of Europe is useless with half of Europe still ab'aze. ft is understood that Mr. Lloyd Geprge agrees with many of Mr. Wilson's proposals.—Aus. N'.Z. Cable AS3OC.

THE INDEMNITY QUESTION, j REFERRED TO MR. HUGHES- . j Received Jan. 21, 11.20 p.m. 1 Paris, Jan. 20. It is understood Britain "ias asked Mr. Hughes (Premier of Australia) to take charge »f the whole indemnity question for the Empire. PEACE GERMANY WILL SIGN. EBERT'S V.EWS. Received J.-.>>. 21, 1155 p.m. London, Jan. 19 Herr Ebert, in an interview, declared: '•"We wiii sign one peace, based on President Wilson's fourteen points, and wfl! not aprce to a peace including any further demands. Germany .was alone responsible for the war. The Spartacista have been suppressed, but may rise again if Germany fails to get plenty of food soon. As the economic situation clears, normal life will resume and internal troubles cease. It is a question of help from tlie Eatente"—Aus.-KX 'flat}* -

THE KAISER'S RESPONSIBILITY, PROVED UP TO THE HILT. PROMINENT JURISTS' OPINION. Received Jan. 21, 1015 p.m. aris, Jan. 20. The official bulletin of the Conference gives Hie report upon the Kaiser's responsibility for the war by the jurists mentioned—namely, M. Larnande, the doyen of the Faculty of Law, and M. De la Pradelle, professor of International Law at the Paris University. The report states that the Kaiser is answerable in his own person, both in penal and civil law, for the war and the crimes committed by the armed forces under his commanS- The Kaiser's position is similar to that of directors of a public company, who can be punished by criminal law, while the position of the German nation is similar to that of the shareholders who cannot be so punished. The Kaiser cannot escape responsibility. because the German constitution gives him alone power of decision. The German Sovereign depends solely upon God and the sword. The Kaiser' in his speeches, frequently expressed this view of his authority, and, according to the constitution, the Kaiser declares war in the name of the confederacy, whereof Prussia is the doßiina.nt parfrier, and the Kaiser was King of Prussia.

The jurists quote a letter showing that the Kaiser ordered and desired ferocious methods of warfare. The Kaiser early in the war wrote to the Empire of Austria stating: "Everything must lie put to fire and sword. Men, women, and children, a.nd old men must bo slaughtered. \o house or tree must be left standing. With these methods of terrorism, which alone are capable of affecting a people so degenerate as are the French, the war will be over in two months."

The report comments:—"Thus, the Kaiser incurred personal r esponsibility, whereto must be added the civil responsibility of the German Fmpireßoth are responsible—the empire at civil law and the Kaiser at penal and civil, according to the most elementary rules of right." Finally, the jurists quote Vattel, that "a prince guilty of unjust war is liable to personal penalties, if such are necessary for the sake of example, for security to human society."—Reuter.

The French jurists presented their report on tho Kaiser's culp;t,bilitv. After pleadine for the Kaiser's extradition and condign punishmeTit, the report adds: "The Kaiser should be judged by an international court form in? the principal part of tho Le.igue of Nations."

REPRESENTATION OF RUSSIA. A VEXED QUESTION. Received Jan. 21, 815 p.m. Paris, Jan. 18. It is expected that the Peace Conference will consult the Russian representatives now in Paris.The French Government adheres to iEg 3ecision of having no dealings with the Bolshevik Government, but the other countries hope to find a way of including it in the deliberations without departing from their abhorrent attitude towards Bolsheviks' terrorism. —Aii3.-N.55. Cable As-oc-

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION. XO COMPROMISE WTH BOLSHEVISM Received Jan. 22, 1.30 a.m. Paris, Jan. 20. Mr. Fraser states there was no formal meeting of the Conference to-dav. The Allied Premiers, Foreign Ministers, and President Wilson are conferring on the Russian situation. The Council of the Russian National Democratic, in a Note to M. Piehon, approve of the exclusion of Lenin and Trotsky representatives from the Conference, declaring that any compromise with Bolshevism would be capitulation to a worse scourge than Carman mili-tarism.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A'ss'fio.

THE FRE2JCH COLONIES. Paris, Jan. IS. It is scmi-ofliciallv announced that the French colonies will be represented at the Conference similarly to the British. JAPANESE DELEGATE AT LIVERPOOL. London, Jan. 17 Baron Makino, one of Japan's peace delegates, has arrived at Liverpool. Ke said the Japanese were in sympathy and hearty. agreement with their allies and friends in England, America, and Europe on the broad principles laid down ior the conference's guidance. Japan had lived on the outer ed f .(o of the maelstrom and jknew Ultlc of ~3 i.orron, but was proud |of her Allies. Japan did not seek rai ward, but looked forward with eonfidj ence to a brighter and batter future.— I Aus. N.Z. Cabie Assoc.