PEACE CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 21 January 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE

BIG PROBLEMS

THE INDEMNITY QUESTION PRANCE'S WAR BILL. CHINA DISSATISFIED WITH REPRESENTATION. {Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Jan. 21, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 17. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent states that there are divergences in opinion at the Conference. The new centre of feeling is Germany, and the quesitm of indemnity, which is tho greatest difficulty. President Wilson always favoured fho payment by Germany for damages caused by the war, but is unwilling to acquiesce in an indemnity in addition. ■ The English delegates have more or less agreed with President Wilson on this point, but France has drawn up a careful account of her losses from every source, and will shortly present the bill. It is understood that the Conference will not discuss the freedom of the seas. It is believed that China is protesting against) having only two iseatp.< Five delegates have arrived, including the Foreign Minister. The Chinese regard Japan as their principal opponent, and deny the Japanese Government’s recent statement that the Chinese and Japanese interests will he represented in common.

BLOCKADE TO BE MAINTAINED

WITH UTMOST RIGIDITY LEAGUE OF NATIONS' QUESTION. (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Jan. 21, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr Fraser, the Australian Press Association correspondent, states that representatives of the Allied 'Powers resolved to maintain the German Blockade with the utmost rigidity, although at the instance of America, some relief may be afforded to meet the shortage of fats in the Central Empires. The blockade against the mails continues drastically. Otherwise German-owned' securities, from which much of the initial indemnities must come, would be likely to disappear. The Conference, as indicated by M. Glemenceau, devotes its early sittings to the discussion of the League of Nations. I learn that during the past week, a great deal of work has been accomplished in this direction, and something like a practical scheme evolved ,oni>y requiring the full Conference’s finishing touch. During these preliminary discussions a sense of disappointment was felt in certain quarters with _ President Wilson’s purely academic views op the subject. iSome delegations optimistically expected something like _ a clear-cut schema from President Wilson instead of a nebulous idealistic conception. It is believed, however, that conversations between the Allied Powers have resulted in a solid basis being laid for the superstructure.

FRENCH PRESIDENT'S OPENING ADDRESS

BRITISH EMPIRE’S PRODIGIOUS EFFORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.; (Rec. Jan. 21, 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. IS. Mr Fraser adds: At the (Conference President Poincare made passing reference to Germany’s effort to detach England. The, latter, held by her ideas of justice, and Britain and her Dominions and the colonies engaged in the conflict. These Dominions had accomplished, with Britain’s prodigious efforts, the bringing of the war to a triumphant, termination. President Poincare proceeded to pay a tribute to other nations and countries, with special eulogium of President Wilson and' America’s' intervention. This was a great political and military event. They came to Europe to help, save ■ civilisation. We had gained a complete victory over a powerful enemy who, in order to prevent irr em^' able disaster, obtained an armistice. Wo are now relieved from imperialistic conquest, and are now met to dleal out, justice in matters of territory, finance and economically, in such a way as will not encourage the recurrence of such a crime, , . “The nations must not be exposed to aggressions and menaces, "he Con eirace must seek to introduce the greatest possible harmony in the world. Immortal glory will attach to all nations and men who collaborate in this.noble Poincare teoncludedl: “I leave vou now to your grave delibeiaSST y rad declare the Conference. of Paris opened.” GERMAN' Df LEGATES. (Rec. Jan, 21, 11-SO/.m.) 17 V ZURICH, Jan. 17. Munich papers state that tho German delegates to the Peace Conferencewil be Prince Lichnowski, Count Brock dowff, Count Arco, and the Sociahs Kautsky.

DOMINION’S (MINISTERS DJS- . SATISFIED. I LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward mterviewed in London, stated that they were dissatisfied that New Zealand had mTy Me delegate to the Conferew*. This was quite contrary te tile carlier understanding with the Bntish ment, lot they preferred not to the matter until they had seen tho authorities on Monday. IMPUDENT TIM3RAMS TO NEW (Rec, Jan. 21, 9.20 a.m.) ' LONDON, Jan. 17. The main incident which led To M. Clemencean’s demand for restrictions on correspondents at Versailles arose from impudent cablegrams to New York, papers regarding differences which were nornexistent. To-day the Conference chiefly devoted its attention to Russian expeditions.

ALL WOMEN NEED CEBEGEN. Tho many demands upon the strength of women make Ceregen an absolute neanxieties eap the 'vitality, energy, and strength until the loss of nervous force manifests itself ,in blanched cheeks, a tired brain, apd languid body. Before fiafey &nd alter, a pJOteid -php 9 w photo Md w necessary to rebuild the waste nerve tissues. Ceregen is not a gtimulant, contains no drugs, aftd' . will hot injuriously effect: the. most delicate constitution,; It fiontaimj BO per cent, proteid, and Has the approval, of the ipedical faculty tho world over. Get it to-day, 2s 6d, 4s 6d. 6s 6d, 12s—from iil! ■GbeKHs t S'. The 42s ■eizo. contains 8

PRESIDENT POINCARE’S WELCOME

SPEECH BY M. CLEMENCEAU. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.) PARIS, Jan. 18. President Poincare opened the Peace 'Conference. A largo crowd witnessed the arrival of the world’s diplomats. The scene was without spectacular significance, but the Conference, which assembled in the great salon had'special features of its own. The salon was resplendent with gold and crimson and ancient tapestries. At the head of the table the American delegates were grouped at M, Poincare’s right, and the •English delegates ,on his loft. M. Poincare welcomed the delegates. He said he saw in the decision to hold tho conference at Paris the homage of all nations represented towards the country which, more than any other, had endured the sufferings of war. Ho referred to the successive entry of the Allies into tho straggle, and felicitated each nation upon its efforts individually, specially paying a tribute to Britain and lier iDomtniono®.

The Conference listened standing. President Wilson moved that M. 'Cfemcnceau bo the permanent president. He said 1 the Conference must be regarded as the supreme crowning of diplomatic history. Never had' so many nations been represented with a view to settling problems. He paid a tribute to |M. Clemenceau’g fitness. ' Mr Lloyd George supported the mo{tion, referring to M. COemenceau as the ; greatest young man of France, M. Clemenceau, in replying, said the ambition of those assembled was _ great. They wished to avoid a repetition of the world catastrophe. All • must remain united if the League of Nations was to be practicable. He added that he had consulted two eminent jurists on the penal responsibility of the Kaiser, and their reports would be submitted to all the delegates. As regards responsibility for the enemy’s .crimes in war time, . all the Powers had beeo invited to submit memoranda thereon.’ The question of the League of Nations -would head the agenda for the next, sitting. The Conference adjourned.

JAPAN AND THE PEACE CONFERENCE

A DELEGATE INTERVIEWED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Rec. Jan. 21, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 17,

Baron Makino, one of Japan’s peace delegates, has arrived at Liverpool. He said the Japanese were in sympathy and hearty agreement with their Allies and friends in England, America, and; Europe on the broad principles laid down for the Conference’s guidance. Japan had lived on the outer edge of the maelstrom, and knew little of its horrors, but was proud of her Allies. Japan did not seek any reward, but looked forward with confidence to a brighter and better future.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

GENERAL ALLIED AGREEMENT.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec, Jan, 21. 1.30 p.m.) PARIS, Jan. 19. Mr Fraser states; 'Tt is understood on good authority that President Wilson unfolds a concrete scheme for the League of Nations with a view to enabling men like Lord/ (Robert Cedi, General Smuts and Ml. Bourgeois ftp draw up a definite constitution. President Wilson’s scheme embodies many important British features and! generally proceeds along the lines suggested by General Smuts. The American scheme provides for arbitration with a compulsory measure to prevent an outbreak of war. Germany and Russia are to be taken in when the stabilized League will afford every possible aid to both nations. The President feels that the peace of Europe is useless with half Europe still ablaze. It is understood' that Mr Lloyd George agrees with many of President Wilson’s proposals.

FRENCH DEMOBILISATION

2,000,000 BY! MARCH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Jan. 21, 9.20 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 17. M. Glemenceau announced in the Chamber that 1,200,000 French would be demobilised by February 16th, and 2,000,000 by March Ist.

lIEBKNEGHT’S END

DEATH WORT 'CORROBORATED, (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Jan. 21, 8:55 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Jaiv. 17. After tbe arrest, Liebknecht and Luxembourg were taken to the Hotel Aden, tbe headquarters of the Guards’ cavalry division, Liebknecht first denied his Identity, but was searched and his identity established. He was then taken in an, automobile. The crowd outside wss so infuriated that they seized Liebknecht and soundly thrashed him. As the crowd increased they . forced an entry of the hotel, and the Guords attempted to remove Rosa Luxembourg, but the crowd threw themselves upon her and beat her unconscious. In this condition she was placed in an automobile and driven away. The car, however, stopped at a bridge and men jimpui in and shot her through the head. The mob took possession of the body, and its whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile Liebkjiecht had been sh< t in attempting to escape. His captors hustled him into a motor-car, which broke down going io Moabit Prison, where the officers in command of, the escort determined to take him pending the Government’s decision. Officers asked Liebknecht if he want-' ed another car or preferred to walk, and Liebknecht said, “I will walk.’* A few moments later he made a dash for freedom. He paid no heed to the call to stop, though the escort had raised rifles.' He was brought down at a few yards’ range. Death was instantaneous.

BRITISH NAVY

STRONG ,SQUADRON FOB MEDITERRANEAN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Asiooi'itiou) "LONDON, Jan; 19. The Daily Express states that the Government intends to revive the British . Medierranean Squadron and make it particularly .strong. The First Battle Squadron has been ordered to prepare for two years’ foreign. service. A light and two flotillas of destroyers trill accompany it. Tho base will be' Malta fife heretofore.