THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

JAPAN'S PROPOSALS. POSITION RELIEVED. Paris, March 26. Mr. Murdoch, writing regarding Japan's efforts to secure modifications et the Covenant dealing with racial •qu&lity,' says that the document was •pecially brought to Mr Hughes and •tker Dominion representatives, but not natil an agreement had been reached concerning the Pacific mandates. This agreement was remarkably and almost inexplicably in favor of Japan, for, despite the intention of the Council of Ten to restrict the special clause mandate to South-West Africa, New Guinea and Samoa, the agreement provided that Japan should have the same mandate north of the equator as Australasia to the south.

The Japanese asked Mr. Hughes to •ay What modifications would please kirn, but he and Mr. Cook rejected the whole proposal. The Australian attitude remains completely hostile to any insertion of the racial question in the Covenant It is regarded as a smoke screen behind which preparation for arising other questions may proceed. "So doubt this is Japan's opportune moment. How the misunderstanding arose last week about their policy is not el«ar It would certainly be unfair to regard the Japanese delegates as purposely mialeading anybody but, with legitimate diplomatic sense, they seized the right time. the League of Nations is struggling between a life and death necessity for immediate peace and this, coupled with American opposition, has put President Wilson into the direst difficulties. Thus, for the first time during the conference, Japan is in a strong position, as her refusal to join the league would probably destroy it. President Wilson seems to see no way out, except to accede to Japan's re queet, and France does not object. French newspapers describe the Japanese plea aa a natural right and inevitable. Th 6 British delegates would like to find a formula upon which all agree. The South Africans believe that a formula can be reached by inserting in the preamble the words "by the recognition of the equality of nations and the just treatment of all their nationals."

The whole difficulty has arisen through the council's delay, during which a position evolved essentially differing from the position hi January. The leaders are suddenly compelled to realise that it has all been a mistake and. even at the cost of considerable surrenders, it is clear an early peace must be achiveed. —Aiu.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PEBMANENT HABITAT FOR LEAGUE JAPAN'S MODIFIED RACIAL PROPOSAL. Received March 28, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 27. General Smuts (Africa), Viscount Makino (Japan), Signor Orlando (Italy), and Colonel House (United States) have bees appointed a committee to select a permanent Beat for the League of Nations. The Japanese continue to press the Amendment to the League of Nations covenant for equality of the races. The Japanese original proposal has been modified, and now calls for recognition of the equality of nations and the just treatment of all their nationals. Toe Australians still object.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc IJBAGBE MENTIONED IN TREATY. London, March 27. It 1 Is. authoritatively announced that some mention of the League of Nations will be made in the fu-Bt draft of the Peace Treaty in order that Germany may be notified of the fate of her colonies. GERMAN ASSETS. Paris, March 27. The financial sub-committee has been appointed to deal with Germany's debts and German State property. The subcommittee has been ordered to recommend how obligations should be imposed by the Allies on Germany.

AGREEMENT ON COVENANT. Paris, March 27. Tie League of Nations Committee has reached a unanimous agreement regarding the covenant. The Japanese will raise the question of racial equality at the plenary confc ence. The agreement removes most of ■the trouble, though there are some obstables to an early peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EXCUSES FOR DELAYS. London, March 25. Defending the Conference against undue delay, a high authority declares: "If we except the unavoidable delays occasioned by President Wilson's return to America, Mr. Lloyd George's visit to England through labor troubles and the shooting of M. Clemenceau, there has been absolutely no prolongation of the task. It is absolutely essential to give the most careful scrutiny to the new boundaries, for with care in this respect the seeds of future dissension may be Avoided, There is also a desire on the tart of certain members to make the Toteh corridor as narrow as possible, foreseeing danger In doing that which wfll practically sever East and West Prussia. 5J "The Big Four are endeavoring to arrive at a decision regarding what Germany can pay. The public needs reminding of the gigantic complex problem* confronting the conference. Notwithstanding the ironical comments of the French newspapers in connection with the German cables, this is a delicate question requiring careful handling These cables were seized by the British, and had considerable interest to America, commercially and strategically. The question ranks next in importance to the seizure of the German colonies. It •will not be long before the treaty is ready, possibly by April 15." The authority believed that the Germans would do everything in their power to prevent Bolshevism. There was a point where Germans would weigh tilings in the balance. The Germans have to. decide whether it was letter to go in for a few years of anirchy or to shoulder the burden impos- '& \1 the Entente.—Ana. KZ Cable 1M

THE RHINE BOUNDARIES. INDEMNITIES GENERALLY SETTLED. Received March 28, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 20. Mr. Lloyd George, M. Ciemenceau, Signor Orlando, and President Wilson have considered the Rhino boundaries. • It is understood that the indemnities generally have been agreed upon. — Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PROTECTING AMERICAN ' INTERESTS. Washington, March 27. It has been disclosed that Mr. Taft forwarded the Monroe amendment to Paris. President Wilson has adopted the view that its presentation will protect United States interests.—Reuter. Received March 29, 12.10 a.m.

Paris, March 28. The United States amendment concerning the Monroe doctrine and the Japanese racial amendment are not included in the covenant of the League of Nations, which has been sent to the drafting committee.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.