THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 13

THE PEACE CONFERENCE

DRAWING TO A CLOSE

PEACE TERMS NEARLY SETTLED,

(By Cable.)

APPEALS TO THE " BIG FOUR."

The "Big Four" have reached the gravest part of their deliberations on Questions on which compromise is Impossible. There are, first, the German frontiers; second, reparation; and third/ the -policy to he adopted towards Bolshevism.

The French papers are filled with every kind of appeal to Mr Lloyd George and President Wilson to face the facts.

M. Pertineux, in the Echo de Paris, insists that ".Britain has gained everything from the war. German trade is ruined, her colonial empire and her fleet have been seized, the approaches to India and Egypt-have been conquered, and now Britain wishes, as after every European •war, to withdraw into her sea-girt isle and become herself again." Thus is explained the policy towards which London and .Washington are leaning.

THE FRANCO-GERMAN FRONTIER. Discussion on the new Franco-German frontier is likely to be prolonged. The French tenaciously demand something more than a compromise over the Saar Valley. Not merely on historical grounds iqo they persist in this claim, but 4>n the ground that the whole economic life of Alsace-Lorraine is dependent on the Saar opalfields. French military experts strongly favour self-government for the Rhineland under the League of Nations' control, with the establishment of small Allied garrisons along the Rhine. It is understood that the Council of Four agrees to the delimitarisation of the left (west) bank of the Rhine and of a belt 30 miles broad on the right bank; also that France shall be allowed to exploit the Saar Valley coal mines as partial compensation for the damage done to her own mines.

The Council of Four has agreed that the left bank of the Rhine be neutralised pending Germany's payment of the indemnities. It is suggested. that Belgian and French garrisons be maintained there during that period. . < President Wilson and Mr Lloyd George offer France the neutralisation of the left bank of the Rhine and the Saar Valley, but M. Clemenceau refuses any solution other than the annexation of_ the Saar Valley and a lengthy occupation of the Rhine. The conference will apparently settle the question of the occupation of the left bank of the Rhine. ■ Probably 200,000 Franco-Belgians will undertake the occupation under the control of the League of Nations. WATERWAYS COMMISSION. The Waterways Commission has drafted clauses f or_ insertion in the Peace Treaty imposing punitive measures on Germany. # . The commission desires to create a permanent convention for assuring freedom of transit in all parts of the world. The commission insists on equality of transport, as regards tolls and Customs" duties, on all international rivers. There is an interesting proposal in connection with a permanent convention for an international zone in which cargoes may be transhipped from one vessel to another .without payment of tolls to the country controlling the port.

WHEN WILL THE PEACE TREATY BE READY?

M. Pichon (Foreign Minister), in a speech, said he believed the peace treaty would be ready before Easter. The Evening Standard says that according to a high authority the Peace Treaty will be completed on Wednesday. The Peace Conference's, Financial Commission has prepared 18 articles for inclusion in the Peace Treaty, the majority of which /were unanimously adopted.

The peace teriri3 have been settled, except in regard to Enemy Crimes. The treaty will be drafted next week. The German delegates are expected at Versailles in a fortnight.

THE " BIG FOUR'S " DELIBERATION.

There are many signs of the early termination of the "Big Four's " deliberation. Mr Lloyd George informed the dominions' representatives that he expects to go to London at thg end of the week to present the peace terms to Parliament, -while officials at the Quai d'Orsay informed French correspondents that the terms would be ready in a very few days. The Atmosphere Is clearer, despie the new defence (?) of the Italians and the piteous final appeals of the Belgians. Practically nothing is known about the "Big Four's" secret conclaves, but there Is a predominant impression that things are going better. American correspondents say that President Wilson, forced by the dreadful condition of Europe to concentrate all his energies upon immediate i)eaoe, is sacrificing cherished ideas and eaving the League of Nations a mere shadow of what he had hoped it to be. The Echo fie Paris admits that the "Big Four's" secrecy is foiling all journalists, and adds that there is reason to believe that the terms of peace will be announced to the Parliaments before Easter. The whole French press is more optimistic and generous toward Britain and America, though gravely anxious concerning the general acceptance of the terms.

MR LLOYD GEORGE INTERVIEWED.

Mr Lloyd George, in an interview, declared! that the rumours were erroneous Which atated' thai he opposed France's

demand for guarantees and for the left bank of the Rhine. Britain wants France to enjoy complete security, and Britain is willing to repeat her sacrifices, if required, for France's peace and independence.

Mr Lloyd George, interviewed, stated that Britain was in full accord with France's desire for fullest reparation from Germany.. Britain would present the bill to Germany, who had to find a way of meeting it. Mr Lloyd George, interviewed by Le Matin, stated that by the end of April or the beginning of May the Peaqe Conference would be able to invite the Germans to come and - sign the Peace Treaty. The reparation question, he said, was complicated by disagreement between the technical experts regarding the method of payment and the amount that would be collected, but there was no difference over the matter in the Peace Conference, and plenipotentiaries were settling those existing between the experts. WILL GERMANY SIGN? In the event of the Germans refusing to sign the Peace Treaty it is understood that Fooh has been authorised to undertake a general advance on the Rhine. Diplomatic circles discount the possibility of coming to an arrangement with the Bolshevists. Feeling in Paris is much more optimistic that ' the Germans will sign the Peace Treaty. It is intended, when the German peaee delegates come to Franee, that they be quartered in the Grand Trianon Hotel at Versailles, where the Supreme Allied War Council is located. This place was chosen because the building is situated well away from the town in a somewhat secluded position. The Economic Commission has been instructed to prepare for Germany's refusal to sign the .terms, the intention being to restore a sharp and complete blockade. No one expects a renewal of fighting in the west, and the Allies are confident that starvation will settle Germany. THE RUSSIAN PROBLEMS. „,There is growing anxiety in many responsible quarters owing to the " Big Four's" indecision on many vital questions. It is regarded as particularly urgent that & clear and courageous Russian policy must be formulated. It appears that last week's deal with the Bolshevists almost materialised. It is suggested that interested financiers are behind the proposal. Dr Harold Williams (former Russian correspondent for the. Daily Chronicle) earnestly protests aginst l such negotiations, which Lenin would readily enter/ giving onlv worthless promises in order to achieve his ambition of a world revolution. There is,-fie says, only one way to act—namely, to feed and organise Europe, and to support the anti-Bolshevists morally and materially. The newspapers are uneasy owing to the Bolshevist character of the rising in Egypt and the disturbances in South Africa, "Western. Canada, and Queensland. Admiral Koltchak's army continues to press towards the Volga, where anti-Bol-shevist peasant risings are reported. , UNFORTUNATE BELGIUM. King Albert met Colonel House and President Wilson, and discussed Belgian interests with them. 'The suggestion was made to President Wilson that Brussels should be the seat of the League of Nations. There is some unrest in Belgium, where the feeling prevails that the country is not receiving what she is entitled to. The Belgian representative declares that Belgium has grievances over the partition of German shipping. She needed vessels to bring raw*materials in order to provide for her industries. The British and American delegations are said to favour advancing Belgium £100,000,000 to enable the country to solve her industrial problems. M. Vandervelde, the Belgian Minister of Justice, informed the press that the position of Belgium is very gloomy, and the country is marching to disaster unless assistance is promptly given. Owing to the lack of raw materials 750,000 people will be without employment, and two and a-half millions»are relying on the State for the bare necessaries of life, providing a rich soil for the spread of Bolshevism. Belgium desires the Allies to immediately guarantee £400,000,000, pending Germany's reparation. With such credit the country could obtain raw materials and machinery to resume her industries. King Albert's visit was made in order to emphasise the matter to the Peace Conference, but although he met with the utmost sympathy, he did not receive any definite promise of immediate assistance. The Allies must give a solemn promise in the matter of reparation. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. A committee is being formed to undertake the work of constituting the permanent machinery of the League of Nations. The executive of the Berne Socialist Congress (among whom are Messrs A. Henderson and Ramsay MacDonald) has asked Lord Robert Cecil to hasten the inclusion of Germany and Russia in the league. They also hoped that no mandatories will be given until the league is formed. On this point Lord Robert Cecil said the mandatories must be signed as early as possible, as certain territories needed to be brought under settled Governments forthwith.

Tlie New York Times Paris correspondent states that president Wilson will make an effort to draft a provision in the amendment of the League of Nations Covenant along the lines of the proposal for the preservation of the sovereign rights of individual nations. This provision may meet the American demand for the protection of the Monroe Doctrine.

The British trade unions and the Labour Party at a conference carried a

resolution that the League of Nations ought to form part of the Peace Treaty. Baron Makino, in the course of an interview, said Japan was ready to join the League of Nations as an equal. No Asiatic race could be happy in a league in which sharp racial discriminations werft maintained. Japan did not wish to imThe New York Herald's Constantinople correspondent says that some influential Turks are desirous of a speedy American mandatory over Turkey, which is now politically, financially, and commercially bankrupt. The Turks are willing to place themselves unreservedly in American hands rather than in the hands of European Powers, who have conflicting interests. REPARATION AND INDEIMNITIES. As there is small likelihood of fixing the amount of the indemnities, an interesting theory is advanced. It is proposed that the preliminary treaty should simply mention a list of damages which the Germans must make good, leaving it to the Interallied Commission to arrange what Germany must pay annually. Until full reparation is obtained the Allies might assume control of sufficient sources of German revenue to carry out the scheme. The suggestion has been made that the Bill against Germany should include an amount received to repay military pensions. It is understood that the Reparation and Indemnities Commission has __ not yet decided upon Germany's total indemnities, but has fixed the first two years' payments, and the rest will be arranged by a special commission, which will inquire how payments can be made without injuring Allied trade. The left bank of the Rhine will be occupied until the whole of the indemnities are paid. The Echo de Paris says: The " Big Four" have decided that Germany shall pay immediately £240,000,000 in cash and various securities. Deliveries of raw materials and goods are expected to increase the amount to £1,200,000,000. The German commission inquiring into the treatment of prisoners reports that Captain Fryatt's execution was no violation of international law, but regrets ,lhta the senence was carried ou within a few hours after pronouncement. The commission is handing over the documents in the case to the British and Dutch representatives. The New York World's Paris correspondent states that the Peace Congress h.as tentatively agreed that the reparation Germany will "be asked to pay immediately is 5,000,000, OOOdol. According to the newspaper Le Journal, the first instalment of the indemnity will be 25 milliards of francs, of which five milliards Will be in payment for the raw material necessary for the resumption of Germany's economic existence. France will receive 10 milliard francs of the first instalment, and Belgium will get five milliards. The remainder of .the indemnity will he spread over 35 years, amounting annually to 15 milliards, according to some, and seven milliards according to 6others. The Daily News Para correspondent states: The "Big Four " has decided to demand reparation according to the principle set down in the Allied Note of the sth of November. This has been the most vexed question, and its settlement' will do much to compose the differences over other problems. France is really more interested in this than in Rhineland or the Saar Basin. Though the new wave of optimism may not be justified, there does at least seem to be a prospect of the early production of the draft treaty. ENEMY TRADE. In the discussions on enemy trade two policies have been advocated before the Supreme Economic Council of the Peace Conference. The policy favouring the post-armistice restriction of Germany's imports has been argued along the lines of securing that the Allied countries should not suffer from a shortage of food or raw materials, or pay inflated prices through German competition for the limited supply, which would also prevent manufacture in the devastated distiicts where factories have deliberately been destroyed so that Germany might profit thereby. Further, these restrictions would save the Allied countries from unfair competition' by the fact that Germany could sell cheaper, either because she can now import raw materials at a lower price than the Allies have paid for such materials under war conditions, or. because of the depreciated currency. Another argument in favour of the restrictions was that they would cripple Germany's future strength and thus satisfy the natural public feeling in the Allied countries that Germany should be made to suffer heavily for the war. THE LABOUR CONVENTION. The Labour Commission's report has been issued, covering the convention, which is a lengthy document. It confirms generally the points already cabled. The International Labour Conference has been given power to draft the Convention of Labour. A two-thirds majority is required to carry the proposals. Affiliated States are obliged to submit these conventions to their Legislatures or other competent authority; but, in the event of the latter failing to enforce the conventions that State will be under no further obligation regarding them. The Peace Conference Labour Compassion's report states that, in order to meet the difficulties as between America and her Federal States, whose powers to enter a labour convention are limited by the United States system of government, it be at their discretion to treat the draft convention a 3 recommendations only. The first conference mets at Washington in October.

The British delegation has discussed the whole labour report. It appears to be a well-defined idea, hut the scheme Is very impracticable. The question of equality of labour, for instance, petwoeii the men

and women of India and Japan is regarded as not. feasible. The Labour Convention comprises a preamble and 41 articles. The governing body consists of 12 Government representatives, and six each representing the employers and workmen. No high contracting party, with its dominions and colonies, can nominate more than one member to the governing body. Each nation pays the travelling and' subsistence expenses of

its members, but the leaguo bears th« cos* of the meeting of the conference. The governing body in each country must accept th* convention within la months of the conclusion of the confer* ence. The British dominions and India possess the same rights and obligations a* if they were separate contracting parties. The Italian delegation abstained from voting on the article* providing for special consideration of a Federal State, becausj

it deprived the conference of adequate power.

There is general disappointment with the convention. Beyond the value derivable from the annual conference, it is singularly ineffective. The first meeting, to be held in Washington, will deal with the eight hours day, provision against unemployment, and the conditions as to women and children made by the Berne Convention. MR HUGHES NOT CONVINCED. Mr Hughes is not convinced of the praoticability of the Labour Convention without radical alterations. He considers thai it 3 machinery is unworkable, and the method of its constitution unlikely to corn* mend it to colonial workers. He saya it seems unlikely that the workers will view favourably Government representation on conferences, but, while the convention makes it necessary for the State to submit recommendations to legislatures, State representation is essential. Again, the fact that Japan, . with her cheap labour, refuses to accept the convention, at any rate for a period of years, raise* a situation that workers in other lands can hardly subscribe to. However, the convention is likely to be thoroughly dlscussed and modified before the conference adopts it, and criticism maj, perhaps, be premature. SOCIALISTS AND PACIFISTS. Messrs Henderson and Ramsay Macdonald have arrived 'in Paris. They state that the executive of the Berne International Convention has arranged to hold ft meeting at Amsterdam next month. Two delegates from each nation, including enemy countries, will attend. A new international covenant will be submitted, and a world conference will be in Switzerland in August for its ratification. Messrs Henderson and Macdonald and MM. Longuet, Renaudel, and Huysmana interviewed Lord Robert Cecil in connection with the League of Nations. They desired that the league covenant should include something to show that the league's ultimate aim was to secure complete disarmament ; further, that minorities in Parliament should be represented on the Delegates' Council and that nationalities within other nations should have certain rights. An outcome of the friendly relation* between leading representatives of the Franco-American Labour Socialist bodies is the inauguration of a movement opposed to the pro-German and pro-Bol-shevist ring of the international Labour movement. A manifesto has been issued calling on the Socialists to support the League of Nations, which should only admit a* members nations giving the people sellgovernment, and who give effective guarantees to observe their international obligations and reduce armaments compatible with their international obligations. IMPATIENCE OVER DELAYS. Impatience at the slow progress of the Peace Conference is increasing. President Wilson explains that he I* willing to accept a share of the responsibility for peace delays, as the magnitude of the issues has made greater haste impossible. According to American Congressmen in Paris closely in touch with' President Wil* son, the latter threatens to withdraw from the council and appeal to public opinion if certain obstructive elements do not disappear. It is understood that this refers to supporters of the French claims. LORD NORTHCLIFFE AND MR LLOYD GEORGE. The Daily Mail is showing marked ho* tility to Mr Lloyd George's policy. H girds at the lack of publicity of the conference's doings, and declares that if the conference fails it will be due to see* retiveness. The conference has no# reached the eleventh hour, and the stroke of twelve will ring in peace or chaos. The Daily Mail, which continues its hostility to Mr Lloyd George, reminds him that his attitude towards Bolshevism and the tenderness he is displaying towards Germany are occasioning acute disr quietude. The Mail's Paris correspondent alleges that Messrs A. Henderson ana Ramsay Macdonald have intimated to Mr Lloyd George tjiat the support of their followers depends on hia continuing to withhold his sanction to active measures against the Bolshevists. AMERICAN DELEGATES' VIEWS. The American peace delegates have been pronouncedly pessimistic throughout the week. The anticipation that the narrowing of the conference down to the " Big Four" would produce rapid results has not been realised. The plan has thrown a large number of delegates idle, and the great secrecy being observed has sapped the conference of public support and engendered the suspicion that the great democracies are being kept in the dark while four men settle the world's destinies— a, task which is Aggravated by almost dailyaccruing troubles in various parts of Europe, and which may well overwhelm them. The Italians are credited with preparing to take strong action owing to the reluctance of the other delegates to allot Fiume to Ita.!y. What is certain is that Signor Orlando will withdraw from the Council of Four when M. Trumbitch has presented the Jugo-Slava' claim. Signor Baizilai, one of the Italian dele-i gates, declares that the failure of the council to respect Italy's rights would lead to a dire internal situation in Italy. This delegate added that Signor Orlando could not in justice to his people negotiate with representatives of a people which fought against Italy until the last hour. It wa4 below the dignity of the Italian delegation to deal with those responsible for portion of the deaths of Italian soldiers. APPEAL BY MR LLOYD GEORGE. Mr Lloyd George, interviewed by a representative of Le Matin to-day, begged the public to give the "Big Four 1 ' anotht*

fortnight's credit. He said : "Is that too much to ask for those who are attempting the gigantic task of rebuilding the -world? ,We are nearing the end, and will finish before Easter."

This statement is generally interpreted as meaning that the leaders are making a final appeal for patience. To-day one delegato very close to Mr Lloyd George ■was asked if it meant that the crisis was over. "No," he said "Japan, Italy, and France may yet withdraw, but that is unlikely. It i 3 probable that some agreement will be reached. What is the main trouble now is that in order to reach an agreement vital preliminaries are being sacrificed, and the peace may be the laughing stock of the -world —unbalanced and Seemingly pro~German. The next fortnight will be extremely important.^"

OVEESEA DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. The Allied press entertained Mr W. M. Hughes, Sir R. L. Borden, Mr Massey, jftnd Sir J. G. Ward at dinner. Mr Charles Guearer, French High Commissioner in London, said the people of France would always carry in their jbearts the names of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. Sir R. Borden, Mr Hughes, and Mr Massey briefly replied. MISCELLANEOUS. A committee has.been appointed to deal lyith the Algeciras* treaty, with a view to freeing Morocco from German interests. President Wilson narrowly escaped a Serious attack of influenza. He is confined to bed with a severe cold.