THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

GERMANY'S REPARATION LIABILITY. IMMEDIATE AND PROSPECTIVE. MORE ABOUT JAPANESE CLAIMS. Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 24. Mr. Murdoch writes: The "big four" are getting to a close agreement on the reparation question. The experts refer repeatedly to figures of twenty-five milliards of francs immediately, and six or eight milliards annually for at least thirty years hence. It is understood that Australia's amended claim, which was presented last week, approximates 350 millions. Referring to the discussions on the Japanese claims, Mr. Murdoch states that General Smuts points out that his proposed amendment was very moderate, but Mr. Hughes and Mr. Massey took the point that a diplomatic empty phrase should not be inserted in the covenant, and the question should now be definitely decided. Moreover, though the Japanese lepresentatives assured the Dominions' representatives that Japan did not intend to go further, the Dominioners pointed out that some new government in Japan would be able, under the proposed amendment, to bring up all racial questions at the League of Nations.— United Service. JAPAN'S AMENDMENT. . .GERMAN PAYMENT FOR F00D...

ALLIES' CLAIMS ON RAW MATERIALS. Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 27. Japan's action in leaving in abeyance the amendment to the League of Nations covenant is doubtless due to inability to secure British support. The Japanese left no stone unturned to secure sympathetic interest in the proposal They believed that President Wilson would not be disinclined to accept recognition, while the British delegation was sympathetically disposed. There was a suggestion that the latter should, after hearing the Japanese views, consider the matter, but Mr. Hughes demurred, preferring to tell them frankly to their faces that under no circumstances could he be a party to granting their demand at this conference. The Japanese then declined to take another opportunity of pressing their claim, either before the League Drafting Committee or when the covenant comes before the plenary sitting of the conference.

A German commission of six financiers has been instructed to come to Spa, after which the}' will receive instructions as to the meeting place in France, there to consult on the means for payment of food supplies and the question of the realisation of German securities. For this purpose the Supreme Economic Council has invited the neutrals adjoining Germany to send delegates to discuss transitional questions of finance between them and the Allies, and the invitation has been accepted. Under the Brussels agreement Germany is allowed to export certain commodities, but under article 3 the export of coal, timber, dyestuffs, iron and steel products, sugar, glass, electrical and certain other machinery are provisionally prohibited. It is now agreed that the Allies shall have the pre-emptive right to purchase two-thirds of each of these commodities, and the remaining third can bo exported to other countries. The proceeds of sale are to be applied in payment of fopd. This arrangement will be abrogated after a preliminary peace is signed. A credit of a quarter of a million sterling has been granted to Serbia to purchase horses and mules to enable the recstablishment of agriculture.—Aus. Cable Assoc.

It is expected that peace will lie signed on April 20 The League of Nations Committee is unanimous iu its agreement regarding the covenant. This removes the most troublesome obstacle to an early peace. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 28. The council of Foreign Ministers has named a committee to inquire into the Moroccan question and the frontier of Schleswig.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. London, March 29.

The Allied naval bases at Imbros, Tenedos, and Lemnos have been abandoned. The most notable amendments to the League covenant- include the reconsideration of disarmament every decade, with a view to progressive disarmament becoming world-wide.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.

The league committees have completed the revision of the covenant. The Japanese did not press their racial equality amendment at the present stage, but reserved the right to bring the matter uj> before the full commission.

An amendment was inserted safaoriii'rrtine the Monroe doctrine. The fact that German colonies coming under mandatories must be included in the peace treaty necessitates the introduction of some aspects of the League of Nations into that document The French are officially satisfied that Germany seeks political support in Russia, also an economic field there to replace what she has lost in the outside world. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. It is understood that membership of the council of the League of Nations has jbeen increased' from two to three, the additional members representing Labor. —Aus -X Z Cable Assn. British, French. Italian and American foreign secretaries have completed their work simultaneously. The Premiers are occupying themselves with different branches of technical peace questions. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STARVATION IN ARMENIA. A PITIFUL MESSAGE.' . Received March 29, 5.5 p.m. London, March 28. The Armenian delegation urgently appeals for food for 45,000 Erivans who are without bread. Every kind of animal was lulled for food in the Igden region. A telegram from the Tiflis front from the American relief agent states: "Another week like the last and ten thousand lives will be lost. In Heaven's name make haste."—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Aaaoe.