INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 16

INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE.

Mr Lloyd George, M. Clemenccau, and Sjgnor Orlando attended the Inter-allied - War Conference at Versailles, which lasted several days. The- Inter-allied Conference exchanged views on Count von Hertling's and Count Czernin's speeches and the expediency of replying thereto. The proceedings showed complete Allied accord, militarily and politically. M. Clemenccau stated that he was well satisfied with tho result. Mr Bonar Law in the House of Commons denied that the recent Allies' Conference at Paris proposed to issue a joint declaration of our war aims. He considered that our declarations of these were already sufficiently explicit and moderate. The Press Bureau reports: A Supreme War Council at Versailles carefully considered the speeches of Count von Her'tling and Count Czernin,. but was unable to find any approximation to the moderate conditions laid down by the Allies. This conviction was deepened by the contrast between tho Central Powers' idealistics at Brest-Litovsk and the plans of conquest and spoliation now openly disclosed. The Supremo War Council therefore decided that the Allies' immediate task was a vigorous prosecution of the war until a change in the enemy's 'temper justified a hope of peace on terms not involving' the abandonment of freedom, and justice for a full, aggressive, and unrepentant mili- | tarism. The Council secured a complete agreement on all questions both of policy and measures arid the execution thereof. A GENERALISSIMO WANTED. The Sunday Observer's military correspondent states that the British General Staff and the Higher Command recognise the value of the Versailles Council of War, with whom they are working harmoniously. M. Clemenceau, French Premier, and a majority of the French strategists favour the aopointm.net of a generalissimo for the west front, but there has not yet been an official proposal for such" an appointment. It is understood that America supports French opinion, but is unlikely to definitely decide without further experience. It is generally agreed that there are; prohibitive political reasons against an interallied commander.