PEACE PROBLEMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10211, 22 February 1919, Page 7

PEACE PROBLEMS

NO MOMENTOUS DECISIONS DURING ABSENCE OF PRESIDENT WILSON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Router's Telegrams. (Received February 21, 10,20 p-m.} PARIS, February 18. It is understood that during President Wilson's absence the Peace Conference will handle only routine matters and not make momentous decisions. Important matters which the Confer* once has not yet definitely settled are: France's claim to tho Saar Valley; Italy's and the Jugo-Slnvs' dispute over Dalmatia; the conflicting territorial claims of Germans. Austrians. Poles, Czecho-Slovaks, Hungarians, Roumanians, Greeks, and Arabs: and the Russian situation. It is still unknown whether the Princes Island Conference will be held. SIGNING OF PEACE TERMS BRITISH PLENIPOTENTIARIES NAMED. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. LONDON, February 20. Replying in the House of Commons to a request for the names of the plenipotentiaries actually empowered to agree on behalf of Great Britain to the Peace terms, Mr Bonar Law said: "The Premier, myself, Mr Balfour, Mr Barnes, and one representative of the Dominions." He also stated that the Government possessed a list of the chief culprits in connection with the ill-treatment of British prisoners, but emphasised that action could only be taken in conjunction with the Allies. THE ADRIATIC QUESTION. SONNINO STANDS BY ITALIAN TREATY. stouter'? Telecrome. PARIS, February 20. A suggestion is made for the appointmon't of a Special Commission to deal with the Adriatic question. Baron Sonnino objects to this and stands hy tho Italian Treaty. There is a distinction between that treaty and the Roumanian one, inasmuch as Roumania signed a separate pence. The Conference has not yet decided on this point. Signor Orlando is now in Rome. Possibly Baron Sonnino's attitude .may cause reaction in the Italian political situation, and we may have to wait and see whether Signor Orlando or Baron Sonnino will survive it.

INTERNATIONAL WATERWAYS.

DISCUSSED BY SUB-COMMISSION

Australian and N.Z. Oalilo Association. LONDON, February 20.

A communique from Paris states that tho Sub-Commission on Ports, Waterways, and Railways met on February 18th and discussed two draft conventions' on the subject of international rivers, submitted by the British and French delegates. The principles embodied therein appeared to be acceptable by all the nations interested. It was agreed that a revised draft should be drawn up by a drafting committee consisting of the delegates of Britain, France, and Belgium. GERMAN SHIPPING AND FINANCE. GERMANY'S PREDICAMENT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Fobrunry 18. A German wireless report announces that Germany refuses to transfer her merchant fleet until a. financial treaty is concluded in accordance with the understanding reached at Spa, where Germany pointed out that the shipping question was indissolubly bound up with finance. The message adds: It is the solemn duty of tho Government not to plnce the merchantmen under foreign control until Germany s food supply, which is the ruling consideration for surrender, is assured.