THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

INDEMNITIES AND REPARATION. FIRST TWO YEARS' PAYMENTS FIXED. Received April 4, 8.20 p.m. Paris, April 3. It is understood the Reparation and indemnities Commission has not yet decided Germany's total indemnities, but has fixed the first two years' payments. The rest will be arranged by a special commission, which will -inquire how the payments are to be made without injuring the Allied trade. The left bank of the Rhine will be occupied until the whole of the indemnities axe paid. The Echo de Paris says that the "Big /our" have decided that Germany will pay immediately £240,000,000 in cash and various securies, and deliveries of raw materials and goods are expected to increase the amount to £1,200,000,000. •—Aus. NiZ. Cable Assoc. London, April 3. In the House of Commons Mr Lowther raised the indemnity question He hoped there would he no truckling to America and that the delegates would not be bound by President Wilson's higher philanthropy. Mr Bonar Law denied that there had been election pledsre? that Germany il'ould-'Wy die cost of the war. Investigations were proceeding with the v>w of obtaining the largest amount possibl*. Justice to the Empire would Hot hi , overlooked in the disposal of the Inoney.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TERRITORIAL MATTERS London, April 3. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Express states that the "Big Four" have decided, that Dantzig shall be a free dtv. A plebiscite will be taken regarding the Vistula Valley. The people will decide the flag under which they will live.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, April 3. The Council of Four has agreed that the left bank of the Rhine shall be neutralised pending the, German payment of indemnities. It is suggested that Belgian and French garrisons shall be maintained for the duration of that period.—Ans.-NJZ. Cable Assn.

PAYMENT OF INDEMNITY. Paris, April 2. As there is small likelihood of fixing the amount of the indemnities an interesting theory is advanced that the preliminary treaty should simply mention the list of damages the Germans must make good, leaving an inter-Allied commiMion to arrange what Germany must pay annually until full "reparation is obtained. The Allies might assume control of sufficient sources of German revenue to carry out the scheme. A suggestion made is that the bill against Germany should include the amount required to pay military pen-sions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asbd. THE LABOB CONVENTION. Paris, April 2. The Labor Convention comprises a preamble of 41 articles. The governing body consists of twelve Government h-pret-enttitives, fcix each representing the employers and workmen. No hiyh contracting party, with its Dominions and colonies, can nominate more than one member to the governing body. Each tuition pays the travelling and subsistence expenses cf Its member, but the league beats the cost of the meeting of the conference The governing body of «ach country must accept the convention within twelve months of the oonclusion of the conference. The British Dominions and* India possess the same fights and obligations as if they were separate contracting parties. The Italian delegation abstained from voting On the article providing for special consideration for Federal States, because it deprived the conference of adequate power. There is general disappointment at the convention Beyond the value derivable from annual conference it is iin< T n'»'4v ineffective. The Srat meeting in Washington will deal with the eight hours' day and the provisions against Ttnemplovment and thp condition* «s to women and children ftiarte bv the Berne Convention.—Aus - IT.Z. Cable Asm.

THE RUSSIAN QUESTION London, April.3. There is growing anxiety in many responsible quartern owing to the inde•lsion of the "Big, Four' on many vita! Sieations It is regarded as partieurly urgent that a clear and courage(Ms Russian policy should be formulated. It appears that lasrt week's deal with the Bolsheviks almost materialised. It is suggested that interested inanciers are behind the proposal. I)r Harold" Williams earnestly projests again«t such neeotiations on which tenin would readily enter, giving ircrthless promises in order to achieve S'amWtion of a world revolution, ere U Only one way to act. namely tgl feed and organise* Europe to support 4)M anti-Bolsheviks morally and mateThe newspapers are uneasy owing to tha, ; Bol'hevik character of the rising fe. Ifgypt and the disturbances in South Africa, Western Canada, and QueensIftnd. General KoJtchak's army continues to E»iw toward* the Volga, where antil.«hevik peasant ri«ing» are reported. —AUS.-NJ!. Cable Ann.

BELGIAN INTERESTS. Paris, April 3. King Albert met Colonel House and President Wilson and discussed Belgian interests. A suggestion was made to P'eaidsnt Wilson that Brussels should Ike the seat of the League of Nations Aua-NZ Cable Assn. LABOR AND THE LEAGUE. London, April 3. The trades tmfbna and Labor Party tt a joint conference carried a resolntion that the Leasrne of Nations ought * form part of the Peace Treaty.— J«a*ft£ Gable in,