THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

STRONG FRENCH VIEWS. *S JO POSSESSION OP THE SAAB VALLEY. ALSO PBOTECTION OF EASTERN FRONTIER. \ ———<• Received Feb. 19,10.15 p.m. Paris, Feb. 15. Interviewed, M. Bouillon, president of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs, said the Parliament of France will not ratify, and the people of France will rise against, any peace treaty ■which, does not give France the security which is possible only by the possession of the Saar Valley and the neutralisation of the left bank of the Rhine. Frenchmen will not accept a League of Nations which is unable to protect our eastern frontiers with an international armed force. My opinion is that an Allied watch must be kept on the Rhine for at least five years.—Aus. and N.Z. Cah>« Assoc. FRENCH VIEW AS TO RUSSIA. GERMAN BLOCKADE CONTINUES. OUTSTANDING CLAIMS. Received Feb. 19, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 17. N» decision has been reached with regard to Russia, either with respect to renewing the invitation on the lines u. the Marmora proposal, or as to an alternative scheme. The Frenoh point of view is that something must be done to assist Russia, else the may fall under German domination. It may be necessary to tighten the ring round her so as to prevent the wave of Bolshevism extending. It i» understood that Mr. Churchill favors war with Russia if necessary. There is no possibility of the blockade ihekening until Germany signs the naval tnd military peace terms now being drafted, which ■ will not be ready for about ten days. The Italians have refused to accept President Wilson as the arbitrator in the dispute with the Jugo-Slavs. Tb« claims made by the Nbs, Croatian! and Slovenes were submitted to the Supreme War Council and referred to the commission already dealing with Banat MABMORA CONFERENCE IMPOSSIBLE. ELECTIONS IN GERMAN AUSTRIA WATCHED. Received Feb. 10, 7.60 p.m. Paris, Feb. 17. fhe Council wUI deal with the Russian situation this week. It is now clear that the Marmora conference is impossibly The Council is interestedly watching the elections in German Austria, where the dominant party favors inclusion with Germany. The French press strongly opposes this Mlutioß, foreseeing it to be greatly to the advantage of Germany.—Aus. and 92. Cable Assoc. j THE KAISER'S GUILT. Received Feb. 19, 8.10 p.m. London, Feb. 18. A Memorandum demonstrating the Kaiser's guilt has been presented to the Crime* Commission by MM. Larnaude . and Lapradelle, two Paris professors of law.--Aim. arid N.Z. Cable Assoc. SYRIAN ASPIRATIONS. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 18. The Lebanon delegates seek an independent Syria under French protection, with a democratic constitution and no religions domination.—Aus. N.Z. Cabio A'soe. TUB MANDATORYToR SYRIA. Received Feb. 19, 10.40 p.m. New York, Feb. 17. A Paris message states that it is understood President Wilson will probably advocate the United States as mandatory for Syria..—Aus. N.Z Cable Assoc. ALAND ISLANDS FOR SWEDEN. New York, Fob 18 Paria message states that the Dalian, French, British and American peace delegates have agreed that the Aland Islands shall be returned to Sweden.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. f THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM. Paris. Feb. 17. Mr. Fraser reports that the Russian situation is again occupying the foremost place in the council's attention. The lapsing of the Marmora proposition compels the Powers to find another dilution' A suggestion lias been made that a Commission of military experts should look into the question ot what amuuiu of fofce is required to intervene in Rw.;i;t. Jt is known that Britain, America, and probably Japan are absolutely opposed to military intervention, but France and Italy strongly favour it. France's attitude is almost solely dictated by her fear of Bolshevism. She fears the growth of this'political creed more than the cost of inililaiy intervention. Although Britain has forces at Archangel and 0 Omsk. th«e were sent really to fight the Gerznatts. Britain feels it would not do to let down the Russians who up to the present have relied for safety upon these troops and to hand them over to the tender mercies of the Bolsheviks, li protecting these minorities there is ft hope that ultimately'some arrangement nay be come to with the other GovernBent* in Russia: