FRANCE AND THE TREATY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 209, 3 September 1919, Page 7

FRANCE AND THE TREATY.

GROWING OPPOSITION. j SHADOWY FINANCIAL CLAUSES LONDON, September 2. ] The Paris correspondent of the "West- j minster Gazette" states that although . there is no doubt that the French Par- j Uainent will-accept the-Versailles treaty, ■ opposition is growing on all sides. M. j liarthou's report voices tlie more con- I Bervative complaints. It recommends I the ratification of the treaty, but consti- I tutes a damaging blow to the methods ' and results of the Peace Conference. Already minor modifications have been j made in the terms of the treaty, such as I the treatment of prisoners, the policing j of I'ppcr Silesin, and the slower demobilisation of the German army. More j vital changes are in prospect. I Critics protest that the territorial claims of France have not been met, but the nebulous terms of the reparation ! clause, which shift authority to other j bodies, leaving nearly everything to the future, afford the chief cause of uneasi- j ness. The absence of an Allied pooling 1 arrangement is causing regret, and' the shadowy provisions for the financial future are provoking alarm. Meanwhile, doctrinaire Socialists declare that the treaty is reactionary, harsh, and vindictive—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) NOBODY SATISFIED. TOKYO, September 2. The Marquis Saionji, the bead of the Japanese Peace Mission, has arrived at Kobe. He declared that all the nations were dissatisfied witli the work of the Peace Conference at Paris, although it marked the end of the war, over which there should he universal rejoicing. The Marquis Saionji was warmly welcomed, although many persons attempted to prevent a demonstration in his honour, declaring that the world had witnessed a complete failure of Japanese diplomacy at the Peace Conference.—(A. and N.Z.)

AFTER THE STRIKE. ; i WHARF TF-OUBLE ENDED. I CONFERENCE PROCEEDING. j MELBOURNE, September 2. Tho wliarf labourers have accepted the Government's terms and have resumed j work. t The seamen's conference is proceeding smoothly. — (A. and N.Z. Cable. I DEVELOPING IRELAND. BIG LOAN OFFERED. LONDON, September 2. The Dublin City Council considered the j offer of the National Development Com- j pany, which has announced that it is : prepared to advance £150,000,000 for ; Irish housing. The council passed a resolution requesting the syndicate to . deposit £1,000,000 in order to put the' matter on a business basis, and as a • guarantee of good faith.— (A. and N.Z.) SOCCER FOOTBALL. TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA. LONDON. September 2. The committee of the English Football Association lias postponed further consideration of the New Zealand Association's application for a tour in Australia and New Zealand. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.) PROSPECTS OF DISSOLUTION. LONDON, September 2. The insurance premium against a Parliamentary dissolution before the end of the year hardened yesterday from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.—(A. and NZ. Cable.)