LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

integral part of peace

TREATY.

' IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS.

VARIOUS COMMISSIONS APPOINTED.

SPEECHES BY ALLIED STATESMEN.

liawived Jan. 27, 11 5 p.m.

Paris, Jan. 25. Mr. Fraser reports that tie plenary •onferenee met in the afternoon. Mr. Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook and Mr. Massey attended. Sir Joseph Ward occupied a seat on the British panel. A series of resolutions were passed affirming the desirability of establishing a league of nations to promote international to ensure the fulfilment of accepted .obligations, and to provide against war. Secondly, that the league be an integral part of the general peace treaty, and be open to every civilised nation which can be relied on to promote its objects.

Thirdly that the league meet periodically and have a permanent organisation and secretariat to carry on business between the conferences. Resolutions were also submitted creat-

ing a commission to report on the responsibility of tho authors of the war, breaches of law and customs of war

committed by the Central Powers and theif allies on land and sea and in the air; also to decide upon the degree of responsibility for these offences attaching to particular members of the enemy force*, including members of the general staffs, however highly placed. The commission is also to decide the constitution and procedure of the tribunal appropriate to the trial of these offences, and any cognate matters. A wond commission will be appointed to Otyuire into the international labor question, and consider means to secure comtnon action regarding employment, and recommend a permanent agency to continue inquiry under the league of nations.

A third commission is to report upon international regime of porta, waterways And railways. These commissions consist of two representatives from each of the five great Powers and Ave elected by other Powers. A fourth commission, with three representatives apfece from each of the fire great Powers, and not more than two apiece from Belgium, Poland, Rouffiania and Servia, will examine the amount of reparation which the enemy ought to pay, or what the ecemy is capable of paying, and the method, form and time within which payment is to be made.

President Wilson opened the discussion tt an effective speech. He said they had assembled to create the league's machinery, not as representatives of governments, but of peoples. It was necessary that they should Batisfy the opinion of fallen heavily upon the whole populamankind. The burdens of the war had tians of the countries involved. "We are bidden to make peace and malra these people secure; therefore we are under a solemn obligation to make permanent arrangements to secure justice and peace. The enemy who has just been overcome Utilised science to make destruction sudden and complete." Watchfulness was necessary to see that science, as well as armed men, was kept within the harness of civilisation. The United States, when entering upon the war, never thought of intervening in European or world politics. tut thought, as well as that of the world Wtt now conscious that justice and liberty turned on the issue. America would . part bad been played in vain un- «**• the associated Powers guaranteed the world's peace. The nations must keep an unslumbering eye upon common interests and fortunes of mankind, which were now in ths hands of the plain jMOple. Mr. Lloyd George briefly seconded. He described his journey through devastated fiance, which did not look life the habitation of civilised man. He saw one city which no indemnity could ever repay for thi destruction suffered Surely some plans could be devised for settling disputes by other means than war. Signor Orlando and M. Bourgeoise spoke briefly. Mr Hughes hoped full opportunity Would be given for the discussion of proposals.

Then the small nations, Siazn to Guatemala, the world round, took part in the discussion, not so much on the value of the league but on representation accorded them on the various commissions. The delegates of small nations could not reconcile the five representatives of the great Powers against five representatives for the remaining nineteen •mailer nation*.

Sir Robert Borden touched upon a sore ■pot, remarking that while he had no | fault to find with the resolutions as drafted there'was something to be said against five Powers bringing down cut Mid dried resolutions. M. Bratiano said Roumama naturally desired to have proper representation on tha Waterways Commission. Her interests were vjtally concerned with any dealings with the Danube as a waterway. China equally was interested in the navigation and labor problems. M. Huyman declared that Belgium felt keenly on the subject of representation on the Labor Commission, and some force wtfs given to Belgium's position by an Interview given by M. Vanderveld, Belgian Minister of Justice, who said: "Belgium needs every help She has three hundred thousand unemployed, chiefly in the textile and glass trades. If we don't get prompt assistance the country will experience a wave of Bolshevism But for America's help up to the present Belgium's position would have become unbearable"

M Clemenceati summed up the discussion. He referred to Sir Robert Borden's reproach, and invited the »mall nations to freely express their views before* the several commissions, arguing that if theee Were made over-iarg* ies» work would be accomplished, and the discussion would become interminable. The .conference must proceed speedily because millions of men were awaiting demobilisation They could not accept dictation to the great Powers He prepared to sacrifice many of his own opinions for ilie su&ess of the great common came. The resolutions were agreed to iusirii:nou»ly. President Wilson and Colonel House will represent America, and Lord Robert Cecil and fJonenl Smuts England, on tho I-engiu.- of Nations Committee. The small Powers will chonso timir representatives «a JiatuUv.