“FREEDOM OF THE SEAS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 18, 23 January 1919, Page 5

“FREEDOM OF THE SEAS”

SATISFACTORILY SETTLEDi

THE INDEMNITY QUESTION,

(Australian .and -N.Z. Cable Association)

(Rec. Jan. 25, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. The Morning Post correspondent’s states that “freedom of the seas” has already been satisfactorily settled. President Wilson has abandoned bis idea of pressing his suggestion opon the conference.

Regarding indemnities, President Wilson is quite disinclined to punish Germany by imposing hide unities. The French have already made out their bill, Frenchmen cannot conejwe the possibility of a just peace which does not make Germany pay heavily. Britain so far has taken no practical steps regarding an indemnity, but is deeply .comnptted to a plan after tho recent elections. Though' Britain thus far has no policy, Mr Lloyd George seems to be in cordial agreement with M. Clemenceau on the subject.

BRITAIN’S UNCHALLENGABLE SUPREMACY.

MUST BE MAINTAINED,

(Rec. Jan. 24, 11.65 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 19

Mr Bernard Shaw, in an article published in New York papers, says that England’s fleet must command the &' as. No rival, or combination of nvajs, must be capable of overcoming our fleet. If the United States builds a thousand new battleships, England will build two thousand five hundred-. England cannot permit a contueu -al power to acquire such military (predominance in Europe as to deprive England of the power of ref eating her ,by throwing British forces in the scale against her. Ist) great power must be allowed to control the shores of the North Sea, thereby cutting off ,England’s military access to, the Continent. This is the English equivalent to the Monro Doctrine.

NEWFOUNDLAND’S REPRESENTATIVE. (Rce Jan. 22, 10 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 20. Mr. Lloyd, Premier of Newfoundland, has been appointed the fifth member of the British delegation.. Oilier members are Mr Lloyd George, Mr Balfour, Mr. Bmiar Law, and Mr. Barnes. - The appointment of Mr Lloyd effaces the: inequality under which Newfoundland suffered by being the only dominion without a special delegation. NEW ZEALAND’S DELEGATES.

(Roc. Jan. 23, 8.50- a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. •Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are going to Paris on Tuesday morning. 1 Mr. Massey states that the difficulty of the right of speech for the second delegate remains for settlement. The British Government is quite sound on the matter. The trouble is with certain Allies, who reckon each dominion representation as one vote for Britain. MR. MASSEY PRESENT AT SUPREMiE COUNCIL DEBATE. (Rec. Jan. 23, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 22. Mr. Massey was present at the Supreme Council debate on the Russian situation. _ .The Supreme Council {las decided to despatch a special mission to Poland. RUSSIAN SOVIET REPRESENTATION. (Rec. Jan, 23, 9.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 22. The Unicd Frees Paris correspondent states: It seems certain that the Russian Soviet will have a. limited number of representatives at the, Peace Conference. GERMAN AND RUSSIAN REPRESENTATION.

(Rec. Jan. 25, 9.56 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jau. 20. It is understood that Germany and Russia will be allowed^,to join, only ‘ with stabilising Governments. MR HUGHES ON LEAGUE OF NA- | TIONS. | (Rec. Jan, 23, 12.20 p.m.) , j LONDON, Jan 22. Mr Hughes says; Australia is not enthusiastic about the League of Nations, considering it Utopian. A more practical plan would be to eradicate war by international regulation of economic and commercial friendship. He was surprised that his (view re’-ating 4o the Pacific Islands, had offended Japan.