THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

invitation refused.

BY THE BOLSHEVIKS.

Received Jan. 27, 3.2.) p.m.

London, Jan. 26. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that the Bolsheviks have refused the invitation to the conference.— A us. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

LABOR PROBLEMS. CONSTANTINOPLE AS LEAGUE CAPITAL.

London, Jan. 24. The Morning Post's Paris correspondent states that the conference will consider labor problems on the 25th, The dominions will be given the right to present their own cases, but it is more than likely that they will agree to be represented by the British case, seeing that the Dominion Ministers participated in drawing it up. The Dominions have already made progress regarding the colored labor question. The conference is not to attempt to standardise hours of labor and wages. M. Venizelos suggests Constantinople as the capital for the league of nations, being the pivotal point of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and commanding the most important strait.—-Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.

THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM. FOCH'S MISSION. GOOD RESULTS HOPED FOR.

STAMPING OUT BOLSHEVISM,

London, Jan. 24. The Evening Standard's Paris correspondent states that there is an understanding at the conference that if the Bolsheviks take up a defiant attitu.ie towards the Allies armed intervention will be considered. The Allies must give active military aid to Poland if the Bolsheviks advance. Marshal Foeh has gone to Poland in order to prepare for such a contingency. If the Russian difficulty is arranged the signing of peace should come in May. Although there is some scepticism, the newspapers are generally hopeful of good results from the conference's Russian decision.

On the other hand the Morning P«ist bitterly attacks the proposals. The Daily Telegraph says it is a very questionable step, and places the whole conference ia the ambiguous position of initiating overture's with Bolsheviks. The proposal is hazardous because it gives small chances of usefulness and violates ethical standards, and because it seems to exonerate the guilty. The Daily (missing word) says the French doctrines that it is the duty of United Europe to stamp out Bolshevism is precisely the argument used by opponents to the French revolution. If force were used in Russia it would mean ruin to the hopes of a league of nations.

ATTITUDE OF THE BOLSHEVIKS . .6 A RELUCTANT ACCEPTANCE. Received Jan. 28, 12.45 a.m. London, Jan. 27. M. Pichon states that no official reply has yet been received from the Bolshevik Government, though unofficial reports record a somewhat reluctant acceptance of the conference on the Sea of Marmora. The Bolsheviks stress the difficulty of their delegates reaching the Sea of Marmora.

M. Pichon, questioned on the opposition to the Russian proposals by the French press, said that he thought it was based on the assumption that the arrangement meant the recognition of the Bolshevik Government. That was incorrect. There was no intention of recognising that Government. It was merely hoped that the conference would lead to a cessation of the internecine strife and permit the stabilisation of Russia.

SUPREME WAR COUNCIL. ARMISTICE FORCES. MEDAL AND RIBBON FOR ALLIES.

Paris, Jan. 24. A communique states that the Supreme War Council was attended by political representatives of the Great Powers. Generals Sir Douglas Haig, Pershing, Foch, and Diaz were present. The council conferred with Marshal Focli and other military experts in regard to the strength of the forces to be maintained by the Allied associated Powers on the western front during the armistice. A special committee was appointed, including Marshal Foch and General Diaz, to examine the question. The council agreed to recommend for the approval of the Governments concerned the issue of an identical medal and ribbon to all the Allied forces of the associated Powers participating in the war.—Aus. N.Z.. Cable Assoc.

APPEASING JAPAN: Montreal, Jan. 24 Mr Lloyd George had a private talk with the Japauece peace delegates. It is suggested he is anxious to appease Japan and accede to her demands in the Pacific. The Japanese are under the impression that the United States favors Australia's demands regarding the islands. Not only Mi. Lloyd George but other British statesmen appear dissatisfied with Mr. Hughes' statement that Australia must have the islands. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

P.BACE PttELIWW VBIES. READY EI MARCH Received Jan Paris, .ian 26

Mr. Fraser states that French official circles believe the peace preliminaries will be ready for submission to the French duunber in the