PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1919, Page 4

PEACE CONFERENCE.

A MAZE OF DIFFICULTIES. SLOW, HALTING PKOGBJSS. ' By Telegraph.—Press Association. Paris, Aug. 22, Mr. Murdoch writes: The slow, halting footsteps are due to bewilderment. Even the greatest diplomats of Kurop* are in a maze of difficulties. Foreign Minister! attended by ambassadors, experts; sol' diera, and the principal bureaucrat* of the chancelleries, still meet daily. M. Clcmenceaii presides when able to spare the time from France's difficult domestia problems. M. Piehou, Mr. Balfour Signor Tittoni, and Mr. Polk are regular attendants. Mr. Polk has proved an able and resourceful diplomat, but President Wilson insists that every important question be referred to Washington. i The delegates expect that another four months will be required to bring the negotiations to a conclusion. The slg. nature of the Austrian peace treaty is > expected about September 10. The ' Allies' final reply has been drafted. It contains substantial modifications on the original terms, and much easier economic terms ase made. The Bulgarian delegates, who are living sumptuously in the Bois de Boulogne, have proved clever and artful diplomats. They gained the strongest American sympathy, which was partly due to the American colleges and the large tobacco trado of Bulgaria. The American delegation has urged the easier treatment of Bulgaria. Under the arrangements of the Council regarding Greco-Bulgarian claims, this part of the Balkans becomes piebald and disrupted. It is etlinographically correct, but unquestionably contain* the seeds of future war. The Council's excuse is that the public of the Allied countries would not send a single division to enforce any other peace against tho militant and aggressive Bulgars. Even this peace is eminently favorable to Greece, which gets Smyrna, the Aegean Islands, and Asiatic territory The Turkish peace will not be tackled till October, owing to most serious Anglo-French difficulties in Syria. Theße difficulties are acute, and French feeling is bitter. The newspapers are daily attacking tho British Government. ' The real tronblo is d> to the Arabian dislike of the French, but nothing will convince France that this dislike is not due to the influenco of British agents. There is a most serious clash of Anglo-French interests through Asia Minor, and lengthy detailed negotiations seem the only way,of settlement.

Another outstanding qneation Is whether President Wilson will tw able to persuade the United States, against the popular feeling, to accept ft mandate for Armenia. A refusal would leave the Council at its wits' end. Britain feels that her hand* are full, yet does not desire another European Power to close to India.

The conference takes a most serious view of the Shantung agitation, and regards Japanese-American feeling: «« the darkest cloud on the international horizon.

The conference reports allow that flermany is industrious and calm, and f«* ahead with its reconstruction.— United Service,