PEACE CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16528, 21 May 1919, Page 7

PEACE CONGRESS.

DUTCH CRITICISE TREATY

(By Cable.—Pr*«s Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

ROTTERDAM, May 12. With the exception of tho "Telegraaf,"' tho Dutch Press is unanimous in scathingly condemning tho Peace terms. Tho papers waste no sympathy on Germany, but protest that tho terms will provoko bitter dissonsions in tho future. . , „ . . Pieter Troelstra, tho Dutch Socialist loader, sharply criticises tho Peaco terms, which, ho doclarcs, will be a calamity, not only for Germany, but for the whole of humanity. Ho favours a revolution in Allied countries, and also in Holland, choosing an opportune moment. Troelstra doea not reject BoU shevism, but opposes violence. "GERMANY WILL SIGN." LOXT!OX, May 12. The Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle." summing up further evidence, predicts confidently that Germany will sign after bargaining. '•Vcrwacrts." in an article headed, "Burn or Jump from the Window," asks those supporting a refusal to tho Treaty what they can offer. The most favourable prospect would be starvation through unemployment, instead of slavery to tho Entente. THE SURRENDERED SHIPPING. LONDON, May 12. It was announced in tho House of Commons that the German ships surrendered to Great Britain up to May 9th comprised 22 passenger vessels of an aggregate tonnage of IGO.SOO gross, and 84 cargo carriers of an aggregate tonnago of 068,200 gross. ITALY AND THE ALLIANCE.' MILAN, May 12. There is much comment in the newspapers at Italy's exclusion from tho new Triple Alliance. Tho "Idea Nazionale" regards it as an attempt to isolate Italy. Somo agree that it is a matter of diplomatic negotiation, not for editorial comment, and express satisfaction that Italy is not required to undertake the defence of France without receiving an adequate return. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. ■LONDON, May 12. Lord Grey, in an interviow, said ho was delighted to find that tho League of Nations Covenant covered so much ground. Armaments would diminish as the senso of security increased. The acceptance of the mandatory principle regarding backward nations represented a great gain. Tho key to tho whole organisation of the League was tho annual meeting of the Premiers and Foreign Secretaries. Paice would bo secure so long as tho' meetings were held regularly and were wisely inspired. KOREAN PETITION. PARTS, May 12. The Korean delegation has petitioned tho Peace Conference, claiming liberation from Japnn and tho reconstruction of Korea as an independent State. The delegation declares that tho Treaty of Seoul of 1910 was dictated under circumstances of force, which upset its validity. (Received May 20th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 12. Tho Washington correspondent of the "Now York Times" states that the Korean Provisional Government has announced that Korea will soon present 1 pleas for independence to tho Paris ! Peace Conference.

PROSECUTION OP KAISER . BELGIUM UNWILLING. (Received May 20tli. 5, p.m.) PARIS, May 12. Belgium refuses to prosecute -ho Kaiser. Tho uncertainty of his trial is thereby developing. AUSTRO-HTJNG AIIIA N TREATY. (Received May 20th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 12. Tho outline _ of the terms of tho Austro-Hungarian Peace Treaty shows that Austria will be reduced to what is now known as German-Austria. Jugo-Slavia will bo given Banat and Tomasvar, and Roumania will bo given a large part of Transylvania. Italy gets the Tyrol. Austro-Hhmgary will got access to the soa of the Piumo outcome. Conscription will bo abolished, and tho Austro-Hungarian armies will be reduced to a voluntary police force. Austria must surrender all her munitions and artillery and all but a nominal number of warships. Hungary must reduce her Roumanian frontier fortifications. Tho economio provisions are similar to those in tho German treaty. Tho Czecho-Slovaks, Jugoslavs, Hungarians, and Austrianß share the pre-war debts in proportion to their interest when they were in tho Empire. A permanent Alliod financial commission will handle the indemnities'. The treaty provides for the trial of thoso guilty of criminal acts. There : a .no provision for the trial of the oxEmperor Karl. A special coirfmission under the League of Nations will superintend the Danube navigation.

(Received May 20th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. May 12. The Paris correspondent of the "New York Times'' states that the Covenant of the League of Nations will not bo incorporated in tho Austrian Peace Treaty.

MERELY A RUMOUR. (Received May 20th. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 12 (delayed). The Paris correspondent of the "New York "World" states that reports are current that tho "Big Four" contemplate the removal of Count BrockdorffRantzau as the head of tho German Poaco Delegation. It is considered his presence injects an unfortunate element into the Conference. DISMEMBERMENT OF TURKEY. (Received May 20th, 8.5 p.m.) PARIS, Slay 18. Inspired French comments eay that the occupation of Smyrna by the Greeks is the first step towards the total dismemberment of tho Turkish Empire. The apportionment, writes 'Tertinax" in the "Echo de Paris," is aa follows Constantinople is to bo internationalised under an American mandate, France refusing it. The rest of Turkey in Europe, with Smyrna, will go to Greece. Armenia will bo an independent State protected by America. Mesopotamia and Palestine will be under a mandate to Groat Britain, who will also Jbe tho predominating Power in Arabia, while Syria, including Adana, will be under a mandate to Franco. Italy will have Adalia. Tho Turkish remnant will havo as its new capital Konich or Broussa.

The newspa.per "Midi" says the decision regarding Syria is unoertain, and there is a doubt about America' 9 willingness to arrpt a mandate covering Constantinople.