THE PEACE TREATY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1702, 16 December 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY.

INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE.

UTMOST CORDIALITY PREVAILS. By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Dec. 13. According to the official statement the conference between Mr Lloyd_ George, M. Clemenceau and Signer Scialoja discussed .'ho procedure- to be followed-J in regard to the various international questions still unsettled, particularly peace with Turkey. Tho utmost cordiality marked the Conferonce and satisfactory . agreements were reached on all outstanding points. • The three days' meeting served to confirm tho complete solidarity of the Allies. The conferences at Downing street, which have now concluded, aroused the keenest interest. The French Press comments freely on the nature of the discussions. Le Matin declares the Allies decided to inform America that in order to facilitate a. compromise between the opposing parties in the Senate they were prepared to accept to the utmost extent the Republic's reserva-

tions, but Downing street has issued an official statement which does not mention

the matter and says that, at the invitation of the British Government Mr Clemenceau arrived to confer with tho Prime Minister, tho Foreign Minister, and other Ministers on the various questions affecting France and Britain. As many of these, related to finance and economics M. Louchcur, the French Minister of Industrial Reconstruction,, also attended. Tho Prime .Minister look advantago of the presence of Signor Scialoja to have an exchange of views on the Adriatic question, at which tho American Ambassador was present. Tho Japanese Ambassador [anticipated in tho general conference which discussed tfio Russian problem. .«

The Conference decided not. to treat with ihe Bolsheviks, and to extend only oral encouragement to the anti-Bolsheviks. It was also resolved to refrain from any diplomatic representations at Washington concerning f3se Senators' reservations to the Treaty. The Conference lengthily discussed the coal situation, the French Government wishing to be- assured of a regular supply. Many French residents gave an ovation to M. Clcmonoeau when lie was leaving from Charing Cross. The Daily Telegraph learns that the Downing street decided to establish a super-Supreme Allied Council, consisting of die Prime Ministers of Britain, Franco and Italy, with a representative of the United States, who must havo full powers to act without referring to Washington. Tho Council will meet periodically, the first meeting being in Paris at Christmas.- A difficulty may arise if President Wilson declines to delegate his presidential powers to his plenipotentiary. It is understood the Conference to-day discussed the Russian, Adriatic ahd Turkish questions, but reached no decisions. Afterwards Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenccau conferred on the financial position of Britain and France with a view to reaching an understanding. M. Clemenceau was thrown on to the deck of the destroyer during a rough crossing to England, lie ignored the injury during the Conference, but on his return to Paris the doctor discovered that he had fractured a rib.' .

Received December 16, 9,10 a.m. BERLIN. Dec. 15.

Several newspapers [warmly comment pn M. Clemeh'cjoau's conferences in London.' They fear' a new. Entente being; formed, and declare' M. Clcmonceau is striving to establish' a Western European' Alliance against Germany. Such "alliance, 'it ' u ' argued, would bo a frightful peril to the whole world. ' . . '

■ -rBERLIN, Nov,. 12, '\ The State Council has accepted the law providing for the punishmontof war crimes oomm,itted in enemy countries. The law compels the Supreme" State" Court 'to talc'e the necessary proceedings against tho offenders, i Hitherto the.German code did not provide for crimes comiriittdd»abroad. COPENHAGEN,,. Defc. 13. Tho British, Amorican,'»Franchaiid Italian Ministers have rejected'the Soviet's peace offer, pointing out that Litvinoff has broken the conditions of the r @dpenhagen Conference. . ,-, ~,, fa jg„jj j "\: \f, t

WILSON WILL NOT*COMPROMISE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received December 16, 8.50 a.m. WASHINGTON, Deo. 14.

The statement is authorised that President Wilson will not offer any compromise on tip Peace Treaty. Any; .'efforts to revive . £rje,< Treaty in the Seriate must be made by the Republicans. Received December 16, 9.10.a.m. WASHINGTON, Deo. 15.

Senator Borah states: "I favour Congressional investigation of, the largo financial organisations who are furthering a power-ful-propaganda in order to havo the Treaty ratified by the Senate. -These concerns wish to safeguard their foreign securities.

SOCIALISTS AGAINST RATIFICATION.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association

ROME, Deo. 14,

The Government still withholds further food or pay from D'Annunzio's troops. The Socialists in Parliament are solidly against the ratification of tho Versailles Treaty, whilo the Catholics, numbering 103, are as solidly in favour of a drastic revision. It is estimated that even if all the other parties vote for the ratification, the majority will be extremely small. '