THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 123, 18 February 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE

LEAGUE OF NATIONS | DRAFT OF COVENANT, DISCUSSED BY FULL SESSION THE MANDATORY SYSTEM REASON OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S INSISTENCE By Telegraph-Press .Association. Copyright (Rec. February 17, 9.40 p.m.) Paris, February 14. The draft of the League of Nations covenant was laid before tho third plenary 6ession. It was not attended by special surroundings. There was a small assemblage of the public at the Qnai d'Orsay. Lord Miluer was present. M. Clemenceau, with characteristic 'brevity, called on President AYilson, who immediately read the draft. The reading occupied thirty minutes. President Wilson, in a subsequent speech, made in impressive statement of the ideals of the fourteen nations whose representatives had unanimously approved of the draft. Other speakers were Signor Orlando, M. Bourgeois, M. Venizelos, Mr. G. N. Barnes, arid the Arabian, Chinese, and Japanese delegates. All the speeches were brief and simple expressions of j'aitli in the scheme, with occasional hints fit the possibility of amending the details when fully under examination. President Wilson described the simplicity and elasticity of the constitution, and dwelt upon the importance cf the labour provision to the labouring people of the world, who would come into the foreground of .life. He added significantly: "We have done with annexation. Helpless people in conditions suitable for annexation are really an obligation upon us,/ - hence my insistence upon the mandatory system." He added that although armed force was in the background, it was in the fullest sense of the word in the background.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FAVOURABLE COMMENT OF LONDON NEWSPAPERS (Rec. February 17, 7.10' p.m.) London, February 15. The League of Nations scheme had a most friendly reception in the London Press. It is regarded almost without exception as marking a new era of thought. It is considered to be President Wilson's special triumph, but much of the credit is ffiven to General Smuts.—Am-N.Z. Cable Assn. , -.''.,.'..

PRESS OVERWHELMED .BY MAGNI- :.. TUDE ■OF EXPERIMENT.. c. ■ London, February 15. Though the earliest comment on .the League of Nations is generally optimistic, the Press is'still overwhelmed by the magnitude and strangeness of the experiment, and is postponing definite judgment on various points. _ "The Times" i-efers approvingly to the bicameral plan ' as an attempt to eolve the difficulty arising out of the technical -equality of hig and little 'but prophesies that disputes between the Lower House and the Executive wilt lately mark the history of the league. The "Westminster Gazette" rays the scheme is'clear, boldly outlined, and ingenious. It awaits a great world debate in which tho best brain? of all countries should assist the conference.

The "Standard" adheres to the view that the mandatories will prove a, disruptive influenoe, especially when an embittered Germany is admitted to the leaguo. Treaty safeguards accompanying tho full possession of the colonies would be fair preferable.—Aus.-N'.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN ASSISTANCE IN LEAGUE'S DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP EEGARDED WITH 1 . MISTRUST. London, February 16. Herr Rjintzau, German Foreign Minieter, speaking in the National Assembly, Gaid that Germany, was determined unreservedly to assist in the formation nnd development of tho Leaguo of Nations; but lie feared that her partnership was still regarded with prave mistrust, and that the programme of tho league ns now evolved in Paris was primarily intended to prevent Germany continuing her bellicose policy, to which she was nevertheless 'Utterly disinclined. She must seek to remove distrust. One way to do that was the reduction of armaments, subject to the necessity o! maintaining order at home and security on the frontiers.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.