VERSAILLES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 83, 22 March 1919, Page 5

VERSAILLES.

Wearisome Delays.

Germany May Refuse Terms. March to Berlin Would be Easy. [FBXM ASSOCIATION—OOPTBIOHT.j l Received 22, 9.29.) Paris, March 21. Mr Lloyd George announced that the Germans are expected at Versailles to sign the treaty within a month, but other authoritative statements in British circles admit the likelihood of the German Government refusing to accept the terms, and throwing the responsibility on the Allies. Tlie Italians have decided to withdraw from the Peace Conference unless given Fiume.—(A. and N.Z.) (Received 22, 10.5.) Paris, March 21. The impatience at the Conference delays continues. Newspapers welcome Colonel House’s assurance that the first treaty will be ready on March 29. The German delegates will probably be at Versailles by the middle of April. Mr Lloyd George in a statement said the industrial world will be unsettled until peace is signed.—(A. and N.Z.) Paris, March 16. Mr K. Murdoch writes: British intelligence just received from Germany states that the army as a fighting force has ceased to exist. Transport organisation has disappeared and discipline has gone, but there is always the possibility of Scheideinann throwing up and saying “Occupy the country.” This would mean the overthrow of the Scheidemann Government and the uprising of the insurgents, with serious troubles.

The Allies seem to agree that the march to Berlin would be easy because the Germans in the occupied districts have proved docile, manageable people. It is agreed that a high percentage of Germans would welcome Allied occupation, involving the Allies’ fight with the Bolsheviks.

A strong impression, however, prevails that Germany after sham arguments and hysteria would gobble any terms offered. She is ready to restart world-trade. Her factories are filled and her organisation perfected. The people are in a mood to weep with relief when actual peace comes and food, clothing and decency arrive again.—(A. and N.Z.) LEAGUE OF NATIONS CONTROVERSY. QUESTION OF INCLUSION IN PRELIMINARY PEACE. Paris, March 20. The American Mission stands firm on the inclusion of the League of Nations in the Peace Treaty. President Wilson has authorised a denial of the published report that the League will be divorced from the treaty. (Received 22, 10.0.) Paris, March 19. Lord Robert Cecil, addressing the press, said a question exciting great interest was whether the covenant of the League should be included in the preliminary peace. He believed that the latter was intended to settle the broad principles of the world’s peace. He therefore thought it essential that the League covenant should have a part in it. He doubted whether it would be possible to proceed successfully with peace unless it was known what the League was to be, for instance, the German colonies could not be left in the air. The clause dealing with mandatories was settled by the Council of Ten, and confirmed by the League Commission, therefore they could not deal with the colonies until the League was part of the machinery. (Received 22, 9.29.) London, March 21. It is understood the preliminary Peace Treaty does not include any reference to the League of Nations. The British attitude favours outlining a preliminary agreement so as to restore peace between the belligerents. Afterwards a detailed settlement can be considered, and the League of Nations left for inclusion in the final treaty.—(A. and N.Z.) THE REAL AMERICAN SENTIMENT. (Received 22, 10.5.) New York, March 15. Mr Tumulty, the President’s secretary, received a cablegram from Mr Wilson stating that the Plenary Council positively decided that the League of Nations must be part of the Peace Treaty. < The “New York Times’ ” Washington correspondent says that Senators Reed, Borah, and others have declared against the League of Nations’ organisation, and will send couriers to France for the purpose of circumventing American and French censorship, and to keep the American people correctly informed of the events of the Peace Congress; also to communicate to the French press and people the real American sentiment towards the Peace Treatv and the League of Nations.— (A. and N.Z.) THE RACIAL PROBLEM. Vfs-COUNT ISHII’S CALM PRONOUNCEMENT. (Received 22, 9.29.) New York, March ig. Viscount Ishii Japanese Ambassador to U.S.), in a speech to a Japanese society, said the constitution of the League of Nations would be worthy of a great world conference if it admitted provision remedying a conspicuous injustice arising out of race prejudice. He expressed the opinion that nothing would contribute more towards attaining a permanent world peace than the inclusion of such provision. He said that in order to prevent misunderstanding on the question of racial distinction it should be considered independently of the question of labour or immigration. Japan would calmly, patiently and wisely await the time when by the gradual process of evolution difficulty in the matter of Japanese immigration will be settled to the mutual satisfaction of the United States and Japan.—(A. and N.Z.) Viscount Ishii, continuing, said in the meantime Japan will continue the policy of strict, self-imposed restrictions of labour emigrants. Nothing will be further from Japan’s thought than to hastily force the issue of labour, even if the article against racial discrimination be inserted in the League of Nations covenant. JAPAN’S CHINESE RAILWAY POLICY. (Received 22, 9.29.) New York, March 21. The “New York Times’ ’’ Peking correspondent says that Japanese official disapproval over the contemplation of internationalisation of the Japanese railways is responsible for the plan aiming at the isolation of Japanese railway interests in China. It is expected that the, Shantung railway, with German interests in Tientsin and Pukow, will be considered as indemnity and awarded to Britain or France.—(A. and N.Z.) FOCH INSISTS ON A SECURE RHINE BARRIER. (Received 22, 10.5.) Paris, March 21. “Le Matin’’ quotes Marshal Foch as saying “Ihat the Rhine is France’s only good defence. If the Rhine is not now secured, France will have fought vainly. The armistice was signed only to avoid slaughter. The Allies previously were certain of crushing Germany.”—(A. and N.Z.) FOGH’S MERIT OF NEVER DESPAIRING. (Received 22, 1.15.) Paris, March 21. Marshal Foch, when asked for a statement on the anniversary of the German offensive, said the war was really won by France’s admirable soldiers. “I have,” he said, “only one merit -that of never despairing.”—(A. and N-Z.)

WAR CULPRIT’S COMMISSION’S REPORTS. (Received 22, 10.5.) Paris, March 21. The Sub-committee on the Responsibility for the War, reported that technically the prosecution of those responsible for irregularities was unnecessary. Special machinery, however, could be created to settle the guilt on those who planned the war. The Coinmitte on the Violation of the Laws of War reported that the rank of culprits ought not to be considered.—(A. and N.Z.) * THE NEW ARMISTICE SICNINC. FORMAL AND FRIGID. • Paris, March 20. Proceedings at Brussels when Admiral Wemyss presented the demand for the surrender of the German merchantmen were formal and frigid. After a brief interval the Germans notified acceptance, the supply of food to commence immediately the ships put to sea. They will be surrendered on similar lines to the naval surrender. Food supplies already made in the occupied areas of Germany include 12,000 tons of preserved meat, 3000 tons of pork, 12,000 tons of vegetables, 6500 tons of biscuits and 100,000 tons of potatoes, all from the army stores. It is expected that Germany will pay into the Bank of Belgium two instalments of gold within ten days aggregating to pay for supplies.—(A. and N.Z.) GERMAN SEAMEN REFUSE TO WORK SHIPS. (Received 22, 10.35.) London, March 21. A Hamburg telegram states that a mass meeting of seamen decided to refuse to assist in the delivery of the German ships to the Allies on the ground that Germany had not been guaranteed sufficient food.—(A. and N.Z.) WATERWAYS’ COMMISSION’S REPORT. (Received 22, 10.35.) Paris, March 21. The British presented the clauses of the Waterways’ Commission, providing free transit.—(A. and N.Z.)