THE LONDON CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17225, 15 December 1919, Page 10

THE LONDON CONFERENCE

■ AND AMERICA’S OBSTRUCTION. Reuter’s Telegrams. PARIS, December 9. Marshal Pocb, in an interview, confirmed the departure to-night of the American Peace Delegation, and stated that it was in no way connected with the attitude of the American Senate, such departure having been arranged at the beginning of November. It is anticipated that the Peace Conference will be replaced by a council of Paris Amassadobrs of the Powers. , LONDON, December 11. It is stated in Paris that the whole question of the Peace Conference and the Council, owing to the departure of the American Delegation, will be one of the chief subjects of discussion in London. The Italian Foreign Minister, Signor Scialoja, confers with Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau in London. There will be no meeting of the Supreme Cuncil in Paris during Mr Clemenceau’s absence Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. December 12. The American Ambassador participated to-day in the Interallied Council at Downing Street. The subjects discussed included America’s delay in ratifying the treaty, and the Allies’ position in relation to it. The Council also discussed the problems of Turkey, Russia, and Constantinople, and Germany’s attitude to the protocol. In the House of Commons Mr ißonar Law said Mr Lloyd George, M. Clemenceau, and Senor Scialoja (Italian Foreign Minister) will discuss the Russian question during the London conference. It is unofficially reported that the conference may announce a formal ratification of the Peace Treaty without delay. PARIS, December 15. ‘Le 'Matin’ states that the Allies are agreeable to accept some of the American .reservations, with a view to securing American participation in the League of Nations. WASHINGTON, December 13. It is understood here that while the Powers are prepared to concede certain reservations in order to secure the cooperation. of the United States, no Power is willing to submit to the reservation demanding an official record of such acceptance aa part of the treaty itself. Senator Lodge has suggested that the work of resurrecting the Peace Treaty is in President Wilson’s hands, and that the Republican* will not act until the President has resubmitted the treaty. It is understood' that the Senate has reopened the treaty question, proposing that a committee shall consider the differences between the majority and the minority of the Senate. _ Senator Lodge replied that if the President offered suggestions the Republicans would duly consider them. Senator Knox introduced resolutions in the Senate proposing that a state of peace with Germany be declared while the Versailles Treaty wds held in abeyance. Senator Hitchcock blocked the immediate consideration of the reservation. .A Boston message states that it is recognised that the next few days are critical, as there is much underground resentment.

"SUPER-SUPREME" COUNCIL. LONDON, December 12. The 'Daily Telegraph' learns that at the Downing Street conferences with M. Clemenceau and Signor Scialoja it was decided to establish a Super-Supreme Allied Council, of the Prime Ministers of Britain, France, and Italy, with a representative of tlve United States, who must have full powers to act without re-' ferring to Washington. The Council wiU meet periodically, the first meeting to be in Paris at Christmas. A difficulty may arise if President Wilson declines to delegate the Presidential powers to a plenipotentiary. It is understood that the Conference today discussed the Russian, Adriatic, and Turkish questions, but reached no decisions. Afterwards Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau conferred on the financial position of Britain and France, with a view to reaching an understanding. Signor Scialoja departs to-morrow, and M. Clemenceau on' Sunday. The King and Queen received M. Clemenceau.