PEACE PROBLEMS

Evening Star, Issue 17226, 16 December 1919, Page 10

PEACE PROBLEMS

THE LONDON CONFERENCE. NO AM'ERICAN DELEGATE. Frew Association—By Telegraph—Oojsrrigbi. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 13. According to an official statement of the conference, Mr Lloyd George, with M. Clemenceau and Signor Sciajola (Italy), discussed the procedure to be followed in regard to various international 'questions still unsettled, particularly peace with Turkey. The utmost cordiality marked the conference, and satisfactory agreements were reached on all outstanding points. The three days' meeting served to confirm the complete solidarity of the Allies. The conferences at ' Downing street, ■which have now concluded, aroused the keenest interest. The French Press comment freely on the nature of the discussions. *Le Matin' declares that the Allies have decided to inform America that in order to facilitate a compromise between the opposing parties in the Senate they are prepared to accept to the utmost extent, the Republican reservations. Downing street, however, has issued an official statement which does not mention the above matter. It says that at the invitation of the British Government M. Clemenceau arrived in order to confer with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and other Ministers on various questions affecting France and Britain. As many of these related to finance and economics, M. Loucheure (the French Minister for Industrial Construction) also attended. The Prime Minister took advantage of the presence of Signor Scialoja to have an exchange of views on the Adriatic question, at which the American Ambassador was present. The Japanese Ambassador participated in the general conference, which discussed the Russian problem. The conference decided not to treat with the Bolsheviks and to extend only oral encouragement to the anti-Bol-sheviks. It was also resolved to refrain from _ any diplomatic representations at Washington concerning the Senate's reservations to the treaty. The conference lengthily discussed the coal situation, the French Government wishing to be assured of a regular supply. WILSON AND THE SENATE. NEW YORK, December 15. The statement has been authorised that President Wilson will not offer any compromise on the Peace Treaty. Any efforts to revive the treaty in the Senate "must be made by the Republicans. r WASHNGTON, December 15. President Wilson's refusal of a compromise on the Peace Treity has not influenced the Republican leaders, ami the debate on the proposal to effect peace with Germany by means of a Congressional resolution has been resumed. MONEY INTERESTS ALLEGED. WASHINGTON, December 15. Senator Borah states: "I favor a Congressional investigation of the large financial organisations, who are furthering a powerful propaganda in order to have the compromise ireaty ratified by the Senate. These concerns wish to safeguard their foreign securities." GERMAN DREAD OF ANTI-TEUTON ALLIANCE. Eeuter'g Telegrams. BERLIN, December 15. Several newspapers warmly comment on M. demepceau's conferences in London. They fear that a new Entente is being formed, and declare that M. Ciemenceau is striving to establish a Western European alliance against Germany. Such an alliance, it is argued, would be frightful, and penal to the whole world. GERMANY'S WAR CRIMINALS. BERLIN, December 12. As a result of the acceptance of the Bill providing for the prosecution of war criminals, it is emphasised that Germany intends to proceed with the prosecution. BOLSHEVISM'S MOVE. ASLA A STRONGHOLD. 'The Times; LONDON, December 14. Authoritative disclosures foreshadow the possibility of the Bolsheviks ultimately abandoning European Russia and establishing themselves in the heart of Middle Asia. The disclosures point out that the Bolsheviks' hold a large part of Transcaspia and Central Asia, and are about to attack Krasnovodsk, on the Eastern Caspian shores. Furthermore, they are establishing intimate relations with Afghanistan, and their emissaries at Kabul are advocating an attack on Britain through India. It is reported that hundreds of Hindus have been trained in Bolshevik propaganda at Moscow, and some are already journeying to India supplied with considerable Bolshevik gold. ' The Times,' in a leading article, points out that Generate Denikin and Kolchak are fighting the Empire's battle, because in the event of their defeat the Soviet armies could be diverted to Afghanistan with a view to attacking India. 'The Times' expresses the opinion that the consequences of defeat would soon be felt on the _ Indian frontier. Meanwhile the Bolsheviks are closely negotiating with the Turkish _ rebel general, Mustapha Kemal, In Asia Minor, and are supplying funds to the Young Turks inciting Georgia and the mushroom Mohammedan republic of Azerbaijan to ally themselves with the Turkish revolutionaries.

ITALY AND THE TREATY. Auttralian and N.Z. Cable Afisociation. EOME, December 14. The Socialists in Parliament are solidly against the ratification of the Versailles Treaty, while the Catholics, numbering 103, are as solidly in favor of its drastic revision. It is estimated that even if all the other parties vote for its ratification the majority will he extremely small.