LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1919, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

MAKING WAR. DISCUSSION AS TO PENALTIES. Paris, Feb. 6. The League of Nations Committer discussed suggestions |or penalties against making war in defiance or the league The question of compulsory arbitration v. as referred to a committee consisting of President Wilson, and Messrs Lloyd George and Balfour to draw up recommendations. Several useful suggestions were made by the Japanese delegates, who are desirous of co-operating to the fullest extent. America presented a separata memorandum, including suggestions regarding the freedom of the seas. This is unlikely to be dealt with practically until the league is an accomplished factThe memorandum also deals with conscription and disarmament. It is argued that there cannot be freedom of the seas without the abolition of submarines and the restriction of mines outside territorial waters. The latter may b« increase'! beyond the three mile limit in view of the increased range of modern artillery, it is suggested that the mines "used should become inoperative when the- lirea): from their anchorage.

Belgium desires the incorporation oE Luxemburg, which contains a preponderance of Belgian subjects, also the territory south of the Scheldt formerly added to Holland, includ' free navigation of the Scheldt to .-Wwrp. Belgium is prepared to offer Holland certain territorial exchanges.—Aus.-N.Z Calile Assn. Eleven articles of the Society of Nations have been adopted by the Peace Conference Committee.

Signor Orlando and M. Bourgeois oppo«»rt the abolition of conscription. The meeting postponed its decision on the question hjiw military force should be applied to recalcitrant members of the league*. Later ore half of the League of Nations constitutioe was adopted bv the chief conference commission, including the League's positive functions. —Aus--X 7 Cable Assn.

Mr Lansing has issued a statement that the United States welcomes the union of the Serbian, Croation, and Slovenian peonies. The American delegation to the Peace Conference indicates that it is pressing objections fo secret treaties In po far as H'py nn> ineomnatible with the principles of the Sociev of. Nations r ' '• believed that 4alv and Serbia will, ms a result of the nremiers' meetin?. eonroromiee on their Adriatic dis-putes—Aus.-N.#. Cable ZAsan- .. i