THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELAYS. PRESIDENT WILSON'S STATEMENT. Paris, April 1. President Wilson has explained that he is willing to accept 51 share of the responsibility for the delays in completing the treaty of peace. The magnitude of the issues made greater haste impossible. Mr. Hughes, at a banquet, criticised the delays, insisting on the necessity of not allowing Germany ever to be able to repeat the acts of 1914.—Au5.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received April 2, 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 1. President Wilson reported that he had issued a warning to the Peace Conference against future delays. Signor Orlando insisted on the settlement of Italian frontier questions during a conference with President Wilson, prior to the meeting between the premiers and the President.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WILSON'S THREAT TO WITHDRAW. LATEST PROPOSAL AS TO RHINE DISTRICT Received April 2, 7.15 p.m. Paris, April 1. According to American Congressmen in Paris who are closely in touch with President Wilson, the latter threatens to withdraw from the Council and appeal to public opinion if certain obstructive elements do not disappear. It is understood this refers to supporters of the Breach claims. American correspondents, however, believe that considerable progress has been made. M. Clemeneeau is greatly reducing his claims. The idea of an independent German republic on the left bank of the Rhine has been dropped. M. Clemeneeau, backed by Marshal Foch, is now urging that the League of Nations must occupy the Rhine districts until reparation to be paid to France has been assumed in the form* of the Saar Valley coal United Service. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. VIGOROUS AGITATION IN JAPAN. Received April 2, 9.5 p.m. Tokio, April <2. There is a vigorous agitation through the newspapers and meetings against racial 'discrimination. If. Shimada, of the Diet, proposes that the ex-German colonies be opened unrestrictedly to all nationals of the League of Nations. The newspapers warn the delegates of an unpopular reception if they return without the abolition of the color bar. Meanwhile correspondents report every rumor appearing to threaten the success of the Peace Conference.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ANNEXATION OF SAAR VALLEY. OPPOSED BY LLOYD GEORGE AND WILSON. Received April 2, 9.5 p.m. London, April 2. The Daily Express' Paris correspondent writes: It is known that Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson definitely oppose the annexation of the Saar Valley.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. GERMANY'S IMPORTS. Paris, April 1. In the discussions on enemy trade j two policies have been advocated before the Supreme Economic Council. The policy' favoring post-armistice restriction of Germany's imports has been argued along lines securing that Allied countries should not suffer from shortage of food or Taw materials or pay inflated prices through German competition -for a limited supply, which would also prevent manufacture in the devastated districts where factories were deliberately destroyed, whereby Germany might profit. Further, it would save the Allied countries from unfair competition owing to the fact that Germany could sell cheaper in either case. She could now import raw materials at a lower price than the Allies paid for such materials under war conditions, or because of her depreciated currency. Another argument in favor of restrictions was that they would cripple Germany's future strength and thus satisfy the natural public feeling in Allied countries that Germany should be made to suffer heavily for the war.— Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn'.

COMMISSION TO TURKISH EMPIRE. Received April 2 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 1. The "Big Four" have decided on the despatch of a commission to ascertain views in all parts of the Turkish Empire. They recommend the distribution of various mandates regarding the liberation of races subject to Turkey. The Council will conduct plebiscites. The Council is also arranging a plebiscite of Schleswig-Holstein.—United Service. CRIMES COMMISSION REPORT. Received April 2, 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 1. The Crimes Commission's final report contains, nine clauses for incorporation in the preliminary peace, demanding the surrender of a large number of people, including the Kaiser and certain submarine commanders, for trial. The report is not unanimous.—United Service. MR. LLOYD GEORGE TO .REMAIN IN PARIS. Paris, April 1. Mr. Lloyd George intends to remain in Paris until the peace treaty is completed. THE HUNGARIAN SITUATION. i Paris, March 31. A committee lias heen appointed to deal with the Algeciras Treaty, with the view of freeing Morocco from German interests. The Big Four, in conjunction with fire Foreign Ministers, discussed the Hungarian situation. The same questions are involved in connection with the Polish corridor and the Saar valley. The German population in the Saar coalfield area is about half a million and, while all parties are agreed that France should have the use of the coal, the conference desired to avoid any arraneemenjbwhich would lead to future