THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE FINAL TERMS. TttE MQ THREE CONFERRING. Paris, March 13Mr Lloyd George, President Wilson, ■Ad M. Clemeneeau are conferring with Hue object oi reaching a definite final wttlement of the peace terms to be prevented to Germany.—Aus.--N.Z- Cable Asm. The United States peace delegates •tale that the disposition of German WttTaUpg is not likely to be included in the Peace Treaty. Germany, however, will be required to surrender the ownership. It haa been agreed to refer to the Peace Conference the future ownership ef the German trans-Atlantic cabls. Tile Supreme Council has agreed that tte fortifications of Heligoland must be dismantled and the Kiel Canal internationalised, but German sovereignty will p*rf«My be allowed- —Aus.-N.Z Cable jkwn. THE WEALTH OF GERMANY. BRITAIN'S FULL WAR BILL TO BE PAID. Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. London, March 18Answering a question in the House of Coirmons, Mr Bonar Law said the committee on the wealth of Germany, of wbkh Mr Hughes, of Australia, was chairman, had reported confidentially to CaWnet. The re-port was not intended f?r publication. Britain intended to ask Germany to pay the full bill. If UiwHc to do no at present, payments will be 4*maiided on account.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable AisnSUTURE NAVIGATION ON THE RHINE. UNDER ALLIED CONTROL. Received March 10. 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 18. The Commission of the Cortrol of International Waterways has decided that an Allied Commission shall control future navigation on the Rhine. —AusNJS. Cable Assn. LLOYD GEORGE'S PRESENCE ESSENTIAL. TJRGBD TO REMAIN IN FRANCE. Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 18. President Wilson, M. Clemeneeau and Signpr Orlando, in a letter to Mr Lloyd G*orpi, asked him to postpone his return to Britain for a fortnight, in view of an early peace settlement, at which Mr LlOVd George's presence is absolutely essential- The signatories realise tb» urgency of the Premier's nresence in England, but contend that the world gitttaiwat at this stage is all-important. Mr Lloyd George has decided to submit the' letter to Cabinet.—Aus.-N.Z-Cable Assn. Received Man* 30,12.20 a.m. Paris, March 19. Probably Mr. Lloyd George will remain as requested. • • THE CLAIMS OF GREECE.

Paris, March 14. The report of the commission on j Greek claimß was not unanimous The decision of the majority favors giving Smyrna to Greece. America objects, holding that Smyrna ought to be internationalised, in the interests of the vast niaterlaad which the port serves. The ultimate ownership of Dodesanesus Isfctirt wm reserved, in view of the treaty irttn Italy. President Wilson is expected immediately to confer with Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau en the Dalmatia OUe-'tiou and the payment of Germany's Indemnities Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROPOSED BUFFER STATE. New York, March 15. The London correspondent of the New lofV Tribune learns on excellent authorfly that the Council hns abandoned the plan for the formation of an independent buffer republic or. the west bank of the Rhine. ALLEGED SUPPORT OF TURKEY. Paris, March 15. It is reported that the Anglo-Indian delegation at the Peace Congress sent a memorandum to the British delegation opposing the contemplated decision to drite oot the Turk from Eutops, Vciune such a step would alienate the Mohammedans who were friendly during thf war.—Arts.-N Z. Cable Assn NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION: A BBLATEB ARRIVAL AND PENALTIES. ..(from R. Riley, Official Journalist.) -The Right Hon. W. F.Massey, Prime Minister, and the Right Hon. Sir Joseph W«rd, Minister of Finance, New Zealand's delegates to the Peace Conference, left Wellington on December 12, and rsaehed Paris on; January 21—three days after the first plenary session of the Alin the famous Hall of the Cjesfc. The long trip had unique and BMjJDocatle features. It was near perfecisr from Wellington to Panama, the tieTßuera's rather easy-going run across rife-empty Pacific beign a succession of jiSuHßit. dayf jpith . the "muckle sea" cfiajiging; only in its beauty. It was rarely%ver ruffled, as if to offer compensation ftr the lack of things in sea and sky. Seteral passengers, it is true, saw at least a whale, a shark, a few flying fishes, and at old Panama that "wonderful bird tbe pelican," but most only saw each oth*rW The Ministers had opportunity to k*ep fit, and maintained successfully in competitive sports the strength of their political coalition. But these pleasures and successes were merely incidental exercises so essential on a long and inevitably tedious voyage of over twelve thousand miles. The second stage, as one says, of the journey'was made in very different circumstances. The Ministerial party, including Mrs. Massey, Lady Ward, Miss Massey, Mr. A. P. Ward, Mr. V. D. Thomson (private secretary to the Ktee Minister), Miss A. Saunders (actlag private secretary to the Minister of Hwuttce), and Mr. R.Ttiley, official journalist, left the Remuera and its jolly •ctnpany at Panama, and crossed the iathmtt by special train to Colon, which, by the way, is striding rapidly forward U Jamimu development. The train iJtaitif >■* ten «nanged by the Ln-

perial authorities and the Canal Zone Commission in order to gain about a day off the already belated departure of the auxiliary cruiser Ophir, which for some time had been awaiting at Colon the unavoidably delayed arrival of the New Zealand Ministers, who had had at Wellington only a few hours after the close, of the Parliamentary session'to prepare foi the trip. It was rather disappointing to surrender the instructive pleasure of making a leisurely trip through the famous canal, but there were compensations. The New Zealand soldiers who have passed through the canal zone have made good in picturesque Panama and Colon the name and fame of their own fair land. To be a New Zealander is an open sesame to the cordial hospitality of the American population. Hay one say that in the steaming canal zone one can appreciate hospitality with ice in it—the American way. The Ophir with her graceful lines looked very attractive as she lay in the wide roadstead against a green but fortified background. But it is sometimes with ships as it is with men—appearances may be deceptive. Everything promised a delightful experience; the wide sky was ha/.y with heat through winch seaplanes sped gracefully like great white birds: the harbor was busv with camouflaged and standardised ship*ping now emancipated from the menace of the U-boat—a welcome fact that was emphasised by the passing at brisk speed of a United States submarine; over against the -picturesque town, where green trees top the tall roofs, we' saw the New Zealand hospital ship Marama coal- [ ing for the last stage of a glad journey for the merry lads in her sick-bays. The Ministers gained a measured opportunity to visit the Marama and talk with the men. Though many of them were gravely stricken none were dispirited The Ophir left Colon a little after midday on January 5.

It was a pleasure to learn that the commander (Captain Stanley) was an old Dunedm boy, and that several of his officers and engineers were far-travelled New Zealanders with war service in the Royal \a\y in the North Sea, the extreme Orient, the Persian Gulf, and the South Seas. Then there was the additional pleasure "of hearing at last firsthand information concerning the work of the so-called -Silent Navy" and the merchant service under war conditions A number of the fine men oa the Ophir had been thrown from torpedoed vessels early m the war, and at least one man had at one time threatened to make a hobbv of that sort of excitement. It i s surely worth mentioning that one -rim Scot when asked to recall his outstanding memory of the wreck of his engines and ship by a torpedo, replied that he remembered "ower weel" that he and a mate -'did a daft thing" iu such circumstances and went down to his cabin and bad a tot of whisky." The heat of it warmed them later as thev swam in the wintry North Sea till an American destroyer came out of the darkness and rescued both. One hopes that this may not be used in the prohibition campaign Another officer's most vivid memory was that when he was swimming in ai dark sea he could not forget the bitter fact that he had left twenty "beautiful golden sovereigns" in his safe on the stricken ship. Such was the type ofi men we had on the Ophir. So, though. 1 there was a lack of homely comforts on board, there was no stint of good-fellow-ship and surprisingly resourceful hospitality. In the hands of such men the liberty of free nations is safe.

At one stage of the Atlantic trip the sea appeared eager to touch the low heavens, and the Ophir seemed to do everything wicked except to disappear from the confusion of waters. As a matter of fact she is a staunch boat for a wild sea, but apparently not many men are willing to give her full mark* for anything else. A temporary mishap in the engine-room caused a little delay on the run to Plymouth. The officers" and men made up for many defects. We reached Devonport on the forenoon of Sunday, January 19, and found merry old England in the tight grip of winter, and its light-hearted people still uncomplainingly living under the stress of war %s regards economic conditions. The party had a charming farewell from the good men on the Ophir, although it must be confessed that we were rather cautious in our response to their song, "Will ye no come back again." London was at last reached late on Sunday night, and the Ministers had an encouraging welcome at Paddington. A military guard of honor, a stalwart amounted escort, and an excellent band from Sling Camp were on the well-lit platform and gave the delegates a stirring reception. Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner), General Richardson, Sir James Mills, and many more well-known New Zealanders in London were present. Though the Royal Household had that day lost a Prince the King sent to the station a special representative to welcome the New Zealand Ministers.

On the crowded way to the Savoy Hotel it was good to see how popular are the New Zealand soldiers with Londohers.

London can be one of the greatest sights in the World, but during the brief time we were in it the city gloomed under foggy rain and a meagre artificial light still necessitated by the national shortage of fuel. But it was at least unnecessary to look with a lighted match for the Strand. Let it be said in true affection' that London is as delightful and as dirty as ever. A relaxed system of rationing is still in force, but the menace of starvation has gone, and the true Londoner is awaiting eagerly the great peace celebrations. Then London intends to show America that "Old Blighty" is some citv.

It was not easy to get into Paris. It was much easier to realise how hopeless, really, was the Prussian dream of entering this great and gay city. The only precaution one can think of that has not been adopted against visitors to Paris, even though they are on official business, is the finger-print test. France must have suffered from a plague of spies during the war, and is determined never to suffer again. But even red tape breaks in the end, and the Ministers and secretaries got to Paris late on the night of January 21. Our delegates were cordially ■welcomed by the British authorities, and given social headquarters at the palatial Hotel Majestic, which is one of several of the great hotels in Paris taken over by the British Government for the housing of delegates and a mighty stall'. More than half a thousand experts and officials from London alone have invaded Paris, and have already drawn caustic comment from the courteous French press. The New Zealand delegation, with its numerically small staff, early realised the penalties of a belated arrival, and had to overcome much initial difficulty in respect of securing suitable office accommodation in the Hotel Perousse, which had been set apart for the use of the Dominions' delegates and their staffs for business purposes. The initial lack of office accommodation rather seriously inconvenienced our delegates, who immediately upon their arrival were called on to take part in several conferences dealing with the work of the Peace Congress. .These difficulties have now been overcome. But the organisation of the vast activities of the Peace Congress is still a far pitch from perfection.—P.. R&ej. '