SHE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1919, Page 5

SHE PEACE CONFERENCE.

TREATY TO BE SIGNER

IK ABOUT TWO WEEKS, Paris, March IS. ■The British proposals for the interMtioaal aid code have been accepted py the special committee. An international council will be formed subsidiary to the League of Nations to control aerial navigation. Lord Robert Cecil states that the in- ' elusion of the League of Nations proposals will not delay the Peace Treaty ■which he expects will be signed in a fortnight Switzerland has been granted her demand* as to Rhine navigation. Owing to the insistence of Admirai Benson, who objected to the American occupation of Germany continuing indefinitely, the military terms of peace have been modified by the elimination of the clause providing for the control of armament for an indefinite period. The- Americans are anxious to return home as easly as possible. It is probable the British proposals to form a special mandates commission will be adopted. The five great Powers will have two representatives each, and Australia, New Zealand. South Africa, Belgium and Portugal one eacli wherever their interests are concerned. At least sixteen mandates will be given. In the erent of the inhabitants seeking absorption »y the mandatory the latter will guarantee that the territory acquired will not be fortified. The Waterways Commission recomtnends the internationalisation of the Rhine under a commission representing Trance, Britain, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland, in addition to the German States along the banks of the ■RhJs»_-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, > DELAY EXPECTED. pKIiSIDENT WILSON AND LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Paris, March IS. .The British delegation does not see the necessity of including the League of Nations Covenant in the preliminary peace terms, because the Germans are not a pirty to it, but see no reason why the League should not be formed poncurrently.

It is understood that there is some perturbation over President Wilson's unpreparedness to carry.our draft of the peace terms, to which his representatives subscribed in his absence. There were one or two points reserved for his approval, mainly concerning territorial matters connected with the Rhineland. Though the British were satisfied that the inclusion of the League was not appropriate they were desirous of meeting President Wilsos's views.' Some delay now appears inevitable, dependent on thp question of in what form, the Leap should be included. If it is intended to introduce the extended constitution seriouß delay may ensue. The article in the League Covenant providing that the signatories will come to the assistance of any Power threatened may. induce President Wilson to say to the French that they have no cause to worry over territorial security in the Rhintlaud' if this particular clause is included in the preliminary peace, as it Will give every security they want. On the other hand France may ask What the League really means and what are tne precise terms and methods by which assistance will he afforded. It is believed that President Wilson dot* not raise any objection to the naral and military terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MR. HUGHES UNNECESSARILY EMPHATIC. New York, March IS. The Paris correspondent' of the Run. interviewed Mr. Hughes, who staßed that Australia rannot agree to the incorporation of the principle of the equality of races in the League of Xatons Covenant. Australia does not agree to the adoption of the principle of equality of races in any other form by the Peace Conference. If there is a conflict over our interests we will not deviate an inch from our expressed position on the Japanese quwtion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LORD ROBERT CECIL'S STATEMENT. , , Paris, March 18. Lord Robert Cecil, in a statement to the press, said that the British delegation has agreed that the League Covenant should be embodied in the peace preliminaries. Replying to criticism regarding the extent of Britain's representation on the League, Lord Robert said the Dominions properly desired representation and to place matters forward in their own interests rather than have the British Government voice them.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT OF NEW LEAGUE. London, March 10. Mirror says that Mr. Asquith is likely to be invited to become the first president nf the League of Na-(Uons.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LLOYD GEORGE REMAINS IN PARIS. London, Mareh 19. .Mr. Lloyd George has decided to retrain in Paris until the Peace Treaty is completed. PERMA : NY'S REJECTION OF TERMS FORESHADOWED. Amsterdam. March IS. "he Vorwarts foreshadows the rejection of the peace terms and threatens the c.ntente with German resort to new Measures of defence to resist extravagant terms. Radek, the Bolshevik emissary, reported at Petrograd that 28 Bolshevik organisations had been established in Ger-J»any.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.