PEACE CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 74, 28 March 1919, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE

| NO UNAVOIDABLE DELAYS ■far-beaching questions DISCUSSED. I (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) ! (Rec. March 28, 12.40 p.m.) | LONDON, March 27. ! In defending the Conference against the charge of undue delay, a high authority declares that if we except -unavoidable delays occasioned by President Wilson’s retvfhi to America, Mr Lloyd George’s visit to England through the Labour troubles and the shooting of M. Clemenceau,' there has been absolutely no prolongation of the task- It is absolutely essential to give the most careful scrutiny to the new boundaries, for with care in this respect, the seeds of future dissention’may be avoided. There is also a desire on the part of certain members to make the Polish corridor as narrow as possible, foreseeing the danger of doing that which will practically sever East from West Prussia. The “Big Four” will to arrive at a decision regarding what Germany can pay. The public needed reminding of the gigantic and complex problems confronting the Conference. Notwithstanding French ; newspapers’ ( ironical comments in connection with i German cables, this is a delicate ques- ; tion, requiring careful handling. These i cables, which were seized by Britain < and i,Japan, had a considerable interest I for America commercially and strategic I rally and ranged next in importance to the seizure of the German colonies. | It would not be long _ before the | Treaty was ready, possibly by 15th j April. I He believed the Gomans would do everything'' in ' 'tneir power to prevent I Bolshevism. It was a point where the I Germans would weigh things in the | balance. The Germans would have to decide whether it were better to go in for a few years of anarchy or shoulder the burden imposed by. the Entente. RACIAUPSTION AUSTRALIA'S UNCEASING HOSTILITY. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. March 28,. 1.15 p.m.) PARIS, March 26, Mr Keith Murdoch, writing regarding ’ Japan’s etfort fl .o secure modifications of the Covenant dealing with racial equality, says the document was specially brought to Mr Hughes and the ! other 'Dominion representatives, but I not uritil. an agreement had been reach- ! Ed concerning the Pacific mandates. This j agreement was remarkable and almost f unexplainabiy in favour of Japan, for I despite the Council of Ten’s intention to restrict the special mandate j to South-West Africa, New Guinea, and j Samoa, the agreement provided, that I Japan should have '-he same mandate north of the Equator as, Australasia I had south of it. The Japanese asked jMr Hughes to say what modifications | would please him; but he and Sir’J. ■ Cook rejected the whole rpoposal. The Australian attitude remains completely hostile to any insertion of the facial question in the Covenant, It is regarded as a smoke screen behind r which . preparations for raising other questions may proceed. . (Rec, March 28, 1.10 p.m.) PARIS, March 26. v . No doubt this is Japan’s;‘opportune moment. How the misunderstanding arose last week about their 1 policy is not clear. It would certainly be unfair to regard the Japanese delegates as purposely misleading anybody. In a legitimate diplomatic sense they seized the right- time. The League of Nations is struggling between life and death. The necessity for immediate peace, coupled with American opposition, put President Wilson into direct difficulties. Thus, for the first time during fho Conference (Japan is in a strong position. Her rei fusal to join the League would probab;ly destroy it. President Wilson sees | no way out except to accede to Japan’s j request. France does not object. News- ; papers describe the Japanese pleas as -a natutal right, and inevitable. Italy is indifferent; ■ British delegates would like ; to find a formula upon l which all could j agree. The South Arficans believe' a | ; formula is reachable by inserting in the j \ preamble the words “By recognition of j the equality of nations and the just i ; treatment of all'their nationals.” The j whole difficulty hag arisen through the Council's delay, the position now essen- j 1 tially differing from the position in j January. The leaders are suddenly com- t i pelted to realise it has all been a mis- | | take j and even .at the cost of consider- i | aiflbjsurrenders it is clear an early peace i must; be ahieveed. j I y. ...... . JAPANESE CONTINUE TO PRESS j AMENDMENT.- - . j I (Rec. March 28, 1.35 p.m.) | . ; ; PARIS, March 26, i j Japanese continue to press the amend-* j menfc to the League of Nations for equal- j ity of races. The Japanese original pro- i ' posnl has been modified and now .calls I j for the recognition of the equality of ; ■ nations and just treatment for all their j nationals. . .. j The Australians still .object. i THE MONROE AMENDMENT ! SUGGESTED BY MR TAFT. 1 (Australian & N.Z.- Cable Association) | (Rec. March'. 28,.-12:5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27. j It has been disclosed that Mr Taft I ' (Republican Leader outside. Congress) j • forwarded the Monroe amendment to ; Paris. ■ ■ 1 President Wilson adopted the view that its presentation will protect the United States’ interests. RHINE BOUNDARIES. (Rec. March 28, 1.55 p.m.) j PARIS, March 26. Mr Lloyd George, M. Clemoncean, Signor Orlando and President Wilson have _ considered the Rhine boundaries. It is understood that the indemnities have generally been agreed upon. ,