PROBLEMS OF CONFERENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 9

PROBLEMS OF CONFERENCE

fate of WORLD AT stake.

SOME DELAY UNAVOIDABLE.

plea male for patience.

(Received 5.5 p.m.)

A. and Router. LONDON. April 17.

Mr. Lloyd George, addressing the House of Commons, emphasised the gigantic character, and the complexity and gravity of the problems to be solved at the Peace Confer- 1 ence. He instanced the fact that 10 new States had sprung into existence, some independent, some semiindependent, and some possibly protectorates. The boundaries of these must be indicated if not dofined. The boundaries of 14 countries must be recast. This gave some idea of the purely territorial difficulties, but there were many other problems equally affecting the peace of the world and the destiny of the human race. Tho question of indemnities was not easily settled, and could not be settled by telegram. Mr. Lloyd George referred to the international arrangement for Labour and the great experiment on which the whole peace hung, namely the League of Nations. All and each of these separately would occupy months. One blunder might precipitate a universal war. Tn view of those things, they were justified in taking some time. It had been imperative in some reI spects that they should take more time, but for the fact that they were establishing machinery capable of readjusting and correcting possible I mistakes.

The situation was still full of peril to all countries. He pleaded with the nations to let alone those who were doing their best. The difficulties of the Congress of Vienna were insignificant compared with those of the Paris Congress. The Allies had reached a complete understanding on the fundamentals of peace.

It was not true that the United States and Europe had been at variance.

No approaches had been received from the Bolshevik Government, and he would rather leave Russia to Bolshevism than rush Britain to bankruptcy. The despatch of a British army to Russia would be an act of stupidity. Bolshevism was waning owing to a return of the ecclesiastical faith. The question of recognising Russia was never broached.

SECURITY FOR FRANCE.

ANGLO-AMERICAN COMPACT.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) NEW TORE, April 17.

The Paris correspondent of the j New York World reports that a tentative agreement has been reached j under which Britain and the United . States will aid France in the event of any future attack by Germany. THE JAPANESE CLAIMS. INSISTENCE ON GRANTING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 11.10 p m.) NEW YORK. April 18 The Pari correspondent of the Xen; York World states that he was told by a Japanese official that if Japan's claims to Kaiau-Chau and Shantung were not granted Japan would withdraw from the Peace Conference and make her own arrangements with Germany.