HALTING STEPS OF PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 201, 25 August 1919, Page 5

HALTING STEPS OF PEACE.

DIPLOMATS IN A MAZE. FOUR MONTHS' WORK YET. GRAVE PROBLEM OF SYRIA. ARAB DISLIKE OF FRENCH. (By Cable.—Preas Association.—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) PARIS, August 24. Mr. Keith Murdoch writes that the slow, halting footsteps of peace are due to bewilderment. Even the greatest diplomats of Europe are in a maze of difficulties. Foreign Ministers attended by anibassr.dors, experts, soldiers, ruid the principal bureaucrats of the Chancelleries still meet daily. M. Clemenceau presides when able "to spare the time from France's difficult domestic problems. M. Stephen Pichon (France), Mr. A J. Balfour (Britain), Signor Titoni (Italy), and Mr. F. R. Polk (America), are regular attendants. Mr. Polk has proved an able and resourceful diplomat, but Mr. Wilson insists that every important question shall be referred to Washington. The delegates expect that another four months will be required to bring negotiations to a conclusion. The signature of the Austrian Peace Treaty is expected about September 10. The Allies' final reply, which has been drafted, contains substantial modifications on the original terms. Much easier economic terms are made. The Bulgarian delegates, who are living sumptuously on the Bois de Boulogne,, have proved clever and artful diplomats. They have gained very strong American sympathy, partly due to the American colleges and the* large tobacco trade of Bulgaria. The American delegation has urged easier treatment of Bulgaria. I'nder the arrange- ; ments of the Council regarding the | Greco-Bulgarian claims, this part of the Badkans becomes piebald and disrupted. ilt is ethnographically correct, but un- | questionably contains the seeds of future | war. The Council's excuse is that the Allied publics would not send a single division to enforce any other peace against the militant aggressive Buigars. Even this peace is eminently favourable |to Greece, which gets Smyrna, some of | the islands, and Asiatic territory. The Turkish peace will not be tackled ; till October owing to most serious Angloi French difficulties in Syria. These difliI culties are acute, and French feeling is t bitter. The newspapers are daily attacking the British Government. The real | trouble is due to the Arabian dislike 'of the French, but nothing will convince ! France that this dislike is not due to ! the influence of British agents. There is I a most serious clash of Anglo-French interests through Asia Minor. Lengthy I detailed negotiations seem the only way !of settlement. | Another outstanding question is j whether President Wilson will be able ito persuade the United fitates, against popular feeling, to accept the mandate for Armenia. Refusal would leave tho Council at it's -wits' end. Britain feels her hands are full, yet does not desire another European Power so close to India. The Conference takes a most serious view of the Shiintunc; agitation, regarding Japanese-American feeling as the darkest elnud on tho international horizon. Conference reports show that Germany is industrious and calm, and far ahtad with its reconstruction.—tUnitcd ! Service.) I