PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 122, 17 February 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONGRESS

GROWING DISSATISFACTION AT SLOW PROGRESS THE PEACE TREATY SPEEDY COMPLETION PROBABLE By Telecranli—Press Association-Oonyriirht (Rec. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) ■ , Now York, February 16. The "Herald's" Paris correspondent states: "It would not be surprising if the representatives of the 'Big Five,' despite the absence of Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson, complete the peace treaty before both men return to Pari6. There has been growing dissatisfaction at the slowness of the Peace Congress." -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WARNING FROTSCHEIDEMANN "THERE IS A LIMIT FOR GERMANY." (Rec. February 16, 5.5 p.m.)' New York, February 13. A Berlin message states that in an. interview Herr Sclieidemann, the newlyelected German Chancellor, said: "The Entente may conclude peace according to their interests, but there is a limit for Germany which may break off relations. We would not take up arms, hut would leave the consequences for. those who imagine they are able to bear them." Herr Sclieidemann added: "I hope that America will be able to convince the other allies that it is to the interest of the whole world to see old Germany replaced by a new Social Democracy, rather than heap damning epithets upon Ger-many."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. •

THE CONFERENCE'S WORK Paris, February 13. The Council has referred the Belgian territorial ckinis to a Committee for investigation, and the claims regarding the Scheldt to the Waterways Commission, and the Council is now discussing the Syrian question, and will probably hear the Lebanon delegates to-day.

Regarding the League of Nations, it is hoped to hold a plenary session on Saturday, when the scheme will be laid on the table and given its first reading, II: will be taken up for fuller discussion when President Wilson returns. Britain, like America, is not disposed to accept the clause with regard to the establishment of an international army.

It appears likely (hat the Conference will create an International Air Commission to draft a scheme for aerial communications.

Sir Joseph Cook has been appointed as the chief. British delegate to tho Czecho-Slovalc Committee lo investigate territorial claims—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (liec. February IG, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 13. A plenary session has been fixed for Friday—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RUSSIAN QUESTION DEBATED. (Rec. February 16, 11 p.m.) Paris, February 15. The Supreme War Council debated the Russian question, and also heard the delegates from Lebanon on the Administrative Council.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESIDENT WILSON LEFT FOR AMERICA. (Rec. February 10, 11 p.m.) Brest, February 15. President Wilson has departed, bound for the United States. He announced his early return, and said he had been received and treated as a friend in France.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITAIN'S INDEMNITY CLAIM TO INCLUDE WAR COSTS. (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 14. Mr. Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, said the British delegates at Paris had been instructed to claim an indemnity, including the cost of the war, besides the damage actually incurred. A commission was considering (he amount and method of enforcing payment. He said tho treaty embodying tho League 'if Nations would not be ratified until Parliament had expressed an opinion upon it. Parliament 'would not alter details.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE SAAR COAL BASIN WILL BE DEMANDED BY FRANCE. (Bee. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 1!). It is stated that Frauce will demand rt-c the Peace Congress possession of the Saar coal basin in Klmicland. She will not ask for any further annexations of German territory.. Although there arc a million Germans in the Saar basin, the French Government points out that the great majority are German colonists sent by tne German Government to oust the French,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE MANDATORY SYSTEM ACTION OF BEBtINBOUESE EFFEC- ■ TIVE CONDEMNATION. London, February 13. The Paris correspondent of the "Morni:ig Post" states that in an interview regarding the report that the Berlin bourse had revived on the acceptance of the mandatory system, Mr. Hughes said that no.condemnation of the system could be more effective. Bourses have no sentiment. The view of the Berlin Bourse reflects Germany's real opinion.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MANDATOMCREES TO BE DEFINED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. . Pan's, February 14. The deoees for the mandatory authority to be exercised over such territories as the Pacific Islands are to be defined later by the Executive Council of the Society of Nations. The mandatory Powers are to submit an annual report to the League, and a special ownmission will receive and examine such reports. The extent of the mandatory requirements will vary according to the social and political development of the Power concerned. , The League is given power to publish all treaties between its members.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

JAPAN AND THEMCfIIC ISLANDS (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 14. Japan refuses to assent to the mandatory plan for,'the Pacific Islands until informed of the precise nature and extent of the mandatory control exercisable over the colonies—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. *,