PEACE TREATY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 81, 20 March 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY

Includes League of Nations.

Signing Expected in Fourteen Days. « [PBKM ASSOCIATION —OOPYBICHT.) (Received 20, 10.0.) Paris, March 18. Lord Robert Cecil, in a statement to the press, said the British delegation have agreed that the League covenant should be embodied in the peace preliminaries. Replying to criticism regarding the extent of Britain’s representation on the League, Lord Cecil said the Dominions properly desired representation, and to place matters forward in their own interest rather than have the British Government voice them. (Received 20, 8.40 a.m.) London, March 19. Lord Robert Cecil states the inclusion of the League of Nations will not delay the peace treaty, which he expects to be signed within a fortnight. Mr Lloyd George has decided to remain in Paris until the peace treaty is completed.—(A. and N.Z.) (Received 20, 9.25.) Paris, March 18. The British delegation does not see the necessity of including the League of Nations in the preliminary peace terms, because the Germans were not a party to it, but there is no reason why the League should not be formed concurrently. It is understood that there is some perturbation over the reasons of unpreparedness to carry out the draft of the peace terms, to which President Wilson’s representatives subscribed in his absence. There were one or two points reserved for his approval, mainly concerning territories and territorial matters connected with the Rhineland.

Though the British were satisfied that the inclusion of the League was not appropriate, they were desirous to meet President Wilson’s views. Some delay now appears inevitable, dependent on what form the League should be included. If it is intended to introduce extended constitution, serious delay mav ensue.

An article in the League Covenant providing that the signatories must come to the assistance of any power threatened, may induce President Wilson to say to the French that they have no cause to worry over territorial security in the Rhineland if this particular clause is included in the preliminary peace, as it will give them every security they want.

On the other hand France may ask what the League really means, and what are the precise terms and methods bv which assistance will be afforded.

It is believed President Wilson does not raise any objection to the naval and military terms. —(A. and N.Z.)

ASQUITH THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF LEAGUE. (. Received March 20, 9.10.) London, March 19. The “Daily Mirror’’ says that Mr Asquith is likely to be invited to become the first president of the League of Nations.— (A. and N.Z.) MANDATORY COMMISSION. ;Received 20, 10.40 a.m.) London, March 19. It is probable that the British proposal to form a special mandates commission will be adopted. The five Great Powers have two representatives each, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium and Portugal one each, wherever their interests are concerned. At least sixteen mandates will be given. In the event of the inhabitants seeking absorption bv the mandatory, the latter guarantees that the territory acquired will not be fortified.—(A. and N.Z.) EQUALITY OF RACES. 1 PRINCIPLE OPPOSED BY AUSTRALIA. (Received 20, 10.20.) New York, March 19. The “Sun’s” Paris correspondent interviewed Mr Hughes, who stated: Australia cannot agree to the incorporation of the principles of equality of races in the League of Nations covenant. Australia does not agree to the adoption of the principle of equality of races in any other form bv the Peace Conference, if in conflict with Australia’s interests. We will not deviate an inch from our expressed position on the Japanese question.—(A. and N.Z.) MILITARY TERMS MODIFIED. (Received 20, 8.40.) London, March ig. The military terms of peace are modified by the elimination of the clause providing for control of Germany’s armament for an indefinite period. The Americans are anxious to return home as early as possible.—(A. and N.Z.) GERMANY THREATENS REJECTION. (Received 20, 9.0.) Amsterdam, March 18. “Vorwaerts” foreshadows the rejection of the peace terms, and threatens the Entente with German resort to new measures ° f de^ence to res * st the extravagant terms.—(A. and RHINE NAVIGATION CONTROL. ' Received 10, 8.40.) London, March 19. Switzerland has granted the Rhine navigation demands upon insistence by Admiral Benson, who objected to American occupation of Germany continuing indefinitely. ,The Waterways Commission recommends that the internationalist control of the Rhine navigation shall include France, Britain, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland, in addition to the German states along the Rhine banks.—(A. and N.Z.) KOREA’S CLAIM FOR INDEPENDENCE. (Received 20, 9.0.) Tientsin, March 18. Serious disturbances are occurring at Korea in connection with the people’s demands for independence.—(A. and N.Z.) INTER-ALLIED LABOUR COMMISSION. (Received 20, 12.50.) Paris, March ig. The Inter-Allied Labour Conference has completed its report. The conference has decided that each country shall settle its own domestic problems without involving the League of Nations.