THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 6

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

FRENCH AND ITALIAN DEMANDS. THE RHINE FRONTIER AND FIUME. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR. Pari,. March 21. The Matin quotes Martial Foch as sayiii.s: The Rhine is France's only good defence; if the Rhine is not secured France will have fought vainly. The armistice was signed only to avoid slaughter; the Allies previously were certain of crushing Germany Mr Lloyd George has anounced that the Germans are expected at Versailles to sign the treaty within a month, but other authoritative statements in British circles admit the likelihood of the German Government refusing to accept the' terms and throwing the renponsibility on the Allies. The Italians have deidied to withdraw from the Peace Conference unless given Fiume. Paris, March 21 The Conference delays vontinue. Newspapers welcome Colonel House's assurance that the first treaty will be ready on March 29, and that the German delegates will probably be at Versailles in the middle of April.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, March 21. The sub-committee on responsibility for tlje war reported that teihnically the prosecution of those responsible for irregularities was necessary. Special machinery, however, could be created to settle the guilt of those who planned the war. The committee on violations of the laws of war reported that the rank of the culprits ought not to be considered.