THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 13

THE PEACE CONFERENCE

* PEACE TREATY ADOPTED. GERMAN DELEGATES SUMMONED. PEACE TO RE SIGNED ON MAY 10. (By Cable.) LEADING POINTS IN THE TREATY. The treaty now being drafted -will relate only to countries with which the Allies and America were at war—Germany and "Austria-Hungary. A separate treaty will be made with Bulgaria, but none with Turkey, which, in fact, will no longer exist as a European nation. The bulk of her territory will be divided amongst mandatories under the League of Nations, Turkey henceforth consisting of very small portions of Asia Minor, with Broussa as the probable capital. The .scope of the treaty with Germany, besides articles specifying military, national, and air conditions, will provide for the payment to the Allies ofthe whole war losses. This will involve the immediate payment of £1,000,000,000, in the shape of foreign credit, ships, and gold, and spreading future undetermined sums over a period of 30 years. Bulgaria will be given access to the sea, probably through Kavalla. At the same time a series of special commissions will work on other outstanding matters, including the actual delimitation of new European frontiers, the setting up of mandatories, reviewing the German financial,, commercial, and indus T trial situation for the determination of subsequent reparation. Th'ese commissions will report from time to time to the heads of the Allied Governments, who will meet in London, Paris, or elsewhere as desirable. Meanwhile the Supreme Economic Council regulates the international economic relationship by land, sea, and air. The treaty defines the future boundaries of Germany, dispossesses her of all her colonies, and of Alsace-Lorraine, the Saar Valley, and Dantzig, for which special forms of government will be provided under the league's supervision. Provision. is made for the demilitarisation of the left bank of the Rhine. France has the option to sell the Saar collieries to Germany if France so desires after a lapse of a certain number of years. * Provisions are included regarding future German trading, and a general • statement covering Germany's responsibilities for crimes during the war and in connection with the declaration of war. The treaty will include the league's covenant. Another main feature will perhaps be the Labour Convention, though this has not yet been decided by the Council of Four. The treaty will not define the boundaries of newly-created States. These will be dealt with in a subsequent document, which will probably be' known as the first ■ act of the League of Nations. After peace with Germany has been signed there will be the inclusion of a treaty with Bulgaria, 3hich will undoubtedly be of a drastic laracter, restoring the Dobrudja to Rumania, and the whole coast to Greece. A separate treaty will be made with Bulgaria, but none with Turkey, which nation will, in fact, no longer exist as a European nation. . A plenary session will possibly be held on April 25, when the treaty will be submitted, and then handed to.the Germans the next day. INVITATION TO GERMANY. A Council, representative of the" 18 nations who declared -war against Germany, was summoned under the presidency of M. Clemenceau to give formal approval to an invitation to German delegates to proceed to Versailles. It unanimously concurred in the invitation, and it is understood that a courier, with the summons, left for Germany on the night of the 15th. It is definitely decided that the Germans" •will receive the peace terms at the Trianon Palace. M. Clemenceau will read the terms, and will then instruct the,Germans to be prepared to sign at Versailles Palace on May 10, which is the anniversary of the signing of the Frankfort treaty of .1871. It is not known whether the Germans will be allowed to return to Weimar in the interim, or be compelled to discuss tie details at Versailles. _ "• # . The Germans will come by special train to Versailles without crossing Paris. It is expected the party, including advisers, will number 170. They will be ' kept in strict' seclusion during their stay.

THEf PEACE SIGNING PROGRAMME.

The United Press Paris correspondent learns authoritatively that the peace programme will include the following steps: The treaty will be handed to the Germans on April 25. If the German delegates have plenary power they will sign the instrument immediately; otherwise it will be submitted to the Government at Weimar. Separate treaties will be presented to Austria, Turkey, and jtfulgaria a few days after April 25. The Allied' Governments will be permitted from 20 to 30 days to ratify the treaties after the Central Powers sign them. When two-thirds of the Government concerned sign the treaties they will become effective. It is announced that" though the Germans at Versailles will be allowed < eight days to consider the terms the territorial and military conditions must be accepted without-discussion. Only finance will be open for debate. Germany is required to give up her claims to Morocco under the Treaty of Algeciras, which the Allies have decided to abrogate. A United Press message from Berlin states that the German peace delegates will leave for Paris on the 22nd inst. The Allies have notified the Germans that they must send representatives with full power to act at Versailles. No messengers are wanted. M. Pichon states that the peace preliminaries will be submitted to Parliament only after signature. This will be the policy of all the Allies. The Chamber of Deputies voted confidence in the Government by 274 votes to 166. GERMANY'S ATTITUDE. A German wireless communique" states that the Weimar Assembly, by an overwhelming majority, carried a resolution stating that the German nation claims a Peace Treaty corresponding with President Wilson's programme, which all the belligerents accepted as the basis of peace. Such a Peace Treaty must liberate the prisoners and relieve the starving, and not inflict territorial changes which violate President Wilson's programme. ; The will of the German nation rejects a Peace of Force. The Assembly hopes the German Government will accept only a Peace of Reconciliation, and reject one which sacrifices the German nation s failure. The Daily Express Wqjmar correspondent interviewed Count Brockdorff-Rantzau (Minister of Foreign Affairs)! who stated that the German delegates would reject every demand differing essentially from President Wilson's programme. Lasting peace was .impossible unless the German colonies were restored. Colonial activities were Germany's foremost and most vital interest. There is a widespread propaganda in Germany in order to organise the public to resist extravagant terms. It is understood that the delegates will demand tlhe immediate raising of the blockade, the evacuation of Rhineland, and the prompt release of all prisoners. Constantinople messages indicate that the movements of resistance to the peace terms are growing. A good deal of bumptious talk filters through from Germany in regard to her attitude towards the peace terms even before she knows the details. The German newspapers strongly resent the Saar Valley proposition, and declare that Germany will never assent to it, as it upsets all her industrial schemes, of which the destruction of the French mining industry formed part. They also appear to havfe lost faith in the League of Nations, which at the oufset they regarded as a lifebuoy, but they now - see it merely as a machine, by which the Allies can impose more severe peace conditions. Jfc is understood that Marshal Foch strongly desires the maintenance of the bridgeheads at Cologne, Coblez, and Mainz until reparation is paid. THE INDICTMENT AGAINST GERMANS. Official: The recommendations of the Commission on Breaches of International Laws are now before the Supreme Council. It is practically certain that the verdict of the international jury will be endorsed and the findings adopted. The main counts of the indictment are as follow: The war was premeditated by the Central Powers, Turkey, and Bulgaria; it was the result of deliberate acts which make it unavoidable that Germany deliberately worked to defeat the Entente's conciliatory propositions. * That the neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg was deliberately violated. That the war was carried on by the Gen-

tral Empires and their allies by barbarous methods. That the facts of crimes enumerated in 30 different categories, but incomplete, are indisputably vouched for and cry for justice. That all offenders, irrespective of rank, and including heads of States, are liable to criminal procedure. That an international tribunal and a national tribunal be established for the trial of the guilty persons. That the Allied Powers take Bteps to secure the surrender by neutral Governments of persons ■within their territories for trial by such courts. The Chicago Tribune Paris correspondent states that the Allies' Commission, which is investigating war crimes, has condemned the ex-Crown Prince, Marshal von Hindenburg, General Ludendorff, Admiral von Tirpitz, and certain officers directing the air bombing and U-boat campaigns, also others responsible for cruelties in the German prison camps. News from. Paris says that President Wilson will decide whether the Kaiser be allowed to remain in Holland or removed to a more remote place of exile. REPARATION AND INDEMNITIES. M. Clemenceau informed a deputation of Radical Socialist members that the settlement of the reparation question meets all France's demands. He paid" a tribute to the Allied delegates for their attitude towards France. The indemnity question has been settled on the basis that Germany is responsible to the Allied Powers for losses, including landed property, farming implements, shipping, and war pensions? After the first instalment the payment will be spread over a period of 30 years. France's claim to the Saar coalfields, as part of the indemnity, does not involve any accusation of annexationist designs. Le Matin states that out of Germany's first instalment of 125 milliard, francs, payable in gold and credits abroad, France will receive 75 milliard francs. It is likely that the Saar Valley will belong to the French Customs Union. It is also likely that a neutralised zone 25 miles deep will be established on the right bank of the Rhine. Fifteen years' occupation of the Rhine line is contemplated. The New York World's Paris correspondent states that the Allied experts originally decided that 50 billion dollars would be the entire German reparation, but the sum of 15 billion has now been added for soldiers' pensions. It is believed that Germany will be able to pay a billion yearly. It is expected that, since the original sum of 45 billions will be doubled within 30 years through interest charges, the Allies may decide within a year or two to reduce the principal. Of the first five billion dollars reparation paid by Germany, four will be distributed between France, Belgium, and Serbia, and other countries which suffered invasion. < \ The balance will be applied in payment for the foodstuffs supplied to Germany by the Allies. Germany will probably be allowed 30 years in which to pay the total reparation. A special commission will decide the amount of the annual instalments. M. Lacroise, speaking on behalf of the Sextes Finance Committee, said he could not doubt that, the French Government had obtained from the Peace Conference a full recognition of France's primordial rights as a privileged creditor, but he was surprised at the Government's silence on the subject. Paris newspapers devote much attention to the financial situation, pointing out that even if France gets 55 per cent, of Germany's first instalment, she will have a definite £250,000,000,000 to provide for national questions whether the peace terms mean victory or ruin. . It is understood that Belgium will receive £600,000,000 indemnity out of the first £1,000,000,000, the remaining portion to be divided among the Allies, France receiving 55 per cent. The special correspondent of the Australian Press Association reports that M. Loucheur, in a statement to the Radical Group of Deputies, declared that the restoration of the devastated areas would cost 75,000,000 francs, the pension funds would amount to £40,000,000, and the separation allowances would account for the remainder of France's share of the indemnity. M. Loucheur apparently does not expect compensation for business losses, which are included in the Reparation Commission's categories of damages due from Germany. The correspondent adds: I am unable to ascertain definitely whether President Wilson accepted business losses in the final approved categories. The dominions' delegates seem uncertain, but a pessimistic American correspondent, in close touch with American headquarters, includes in his list of approved categories loss to labour through the stoppage of industries, damage to property (including shipping), and loss to capital through the stoppage of industries. A Paris telegram, published by the New York Tribune, says that the subcommittee considering reparations, reported that within 18 months of signing the preliminary peace Germany woufcl be able to pay 4600 million dollars, of which 736 millions would be in specie. The committee also recommended that enemy States should be compelled to restore ail property stolen from Allied countries, and if these were not recoverable an equivalent should be seized. This would include rolling stocks, cattle, timber, machinery, and other property. The matter should be entrusted to an interAllied Commission. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. THE AMENDED COVENANT. The official summary of the League of Nations covenant attracts attention. The redrafting is admittedly clearer than the original, notably regarding the constitution of the League, which comprises an Assembly representing all covenanting

nations, and a Council representing th« five Great Powers and four others, as the Assembly, may select from time to time. The text gives greater prominence to Labour requirements, and to obligations concerning the white slave traffic, the : opium traffic, and public "health. . j It specifically declares that the covenant does not affect the validity of international engagements, such as treaties, arbitration, or regional undertakings, like the Monroe Doctrine, for securing the maintenance of peace. Under the . redrafted covenant the covenanting States agree to reduce armaments ; plans for such reductions to bo 1 suggested by the Council, but adopted ] only with the consent of the States ■ themselves, and hereafter not inereasefl j without the Council's concurrence. More- , over, the States contributing the armed ' forces to deal with covenant breakers are safeguarded in their right to decide how j far they concur in the Council's recom- ' mendation, and the amount of force, if ; any, that should be supplied; while in regard to arbitration, the Council cannot j interfere in a dispute solely within the I State's domestic jurisdiction. j The New York Tribune's Paris message says it is suggested that an inaugural meeting of the League, of Nations body be held at Washington in October. ; Canada has definitely joined the League of Nations, and has advanced France, : Belgium, Greece,and Rumania £25,000,000 each for-five years at 5£ per cent., on conl dition that the money be expended in purchasing Canadian productions and manufactures. PRESS CRITICISM. The press is critical in regard to the poor results of the League Covenants, and point out the absurdity of the unanimity rule by which the Japanese amendment as to racial equality was defeated, although a majority was favourable. Apart from pious generalities the new draft of the League of Nations covenant ' does not attract favourable comment. The Morning Post satirically likens the position of the Monroe doctrine to the Tree of Knowledge, and proceeds to ask ; whether agreements and arrangements j withjn the British Empire—for instance, j preferences—will be subject to the i League's. supervision. If so, the League : covers a design to prevent closer union, and. may even disintegrate the Empire. I The American Press is modifying its i attitude towards the League of Nations ■since the inclusion of the Monroe Amendment. Some newspapers, however, demand further guarantees of American sovereignty. A RIVAL TO THE LEAGUE. The Sun Paris correspondent reports that a movement towards a pan-Latin alliance, instead of a League of Nations, j is gaining strength. A meeting has been j held, at which the Latin-American delegates supported the project. Members of the Italian Parliament are i reported to be strongly in favour of the ! plan. THE RACIAL QUESTION. A lively controversy is proceeding concerning the responsibility for the rejection of the Japanese amendment. French newspapers which supported Japan blame President Wilson who insisted upon unanimity when the Japanese amendment was brought up. ; The chief opponent to the Japanese j amendment was Mr Hughes, Australia I thus compelling Britain to withhold approval, and preventing, its adoption. j The British attitude is causing people to ask what effect it may have on the Japanese Alliance. The Japanese delegates intend to re- } offer the racial amendment at the Plenary Conference. In connection Avith the Japanese claim for racial equality, it was found that there vrere 11 supporters out of 17 voters, but as a unanimous decision was essential the amendment was rejected. j The Japanese took the decision in a good ! spirit. I The Australian Press Association has ! good reason to believe that the Japanese j delegates were reluctantly compelled to I press the equality claim in the League | covenant by political pressure from Japan. '< The members themselves, with the know ! ledge they possessed on the spot, considered the inclusion impolitic. President Wilson originally favoured the claim, but ; Mr Lloyd George opposed it, and Mr Wilson* yielded finally to his view. The Japanese press demands that Japan shall withdraw from the League of Nations and create her own Monroe Doctrine in the Orient, because of the rejection of the racial equalitv amendment. The influential paper, the Hochi Shimbun, blames Britain for allowing Mr Hughes and Australia to sway her attitude. The World Paris representative reports that Baron Makino has received definite instructions from Tokio telling him to return to Japan if race equality is rejected from the League of Nations covenant. THE COUNCIL OF FOIUR, The Council of Four has decided that Heligoland shall be dismantled and destroyed as far as possible. The Council of Ten dealt with a number of smaller matters concerning economic and general provisions, for inclusion in the treaty, and also an arrangement for the admission of Allied shipping to German ports. The Council of Four considered the Adriatic question, Mr Balfour replacing Mr Lloyd George. The Council failed to agree. Baron Sonnino has presented Italy's case to the Council of Four. TRIBUTES TO MR MASSEY. Official: Many tributes are paid to Mr Massey for his work as a member of the Commission and chairman of the Sub-com-mittee on Facts and Drafting Committee. Sir E. M. Pollock, Solicitor-general, in a notable letter to Mr Massey, refers to

Mt Massey's determination and diplomacy, and says: " I speak on behalf of th« Attorney-general as -well as myself -when I ask you to accept our gratitude and also our appreciation of the way in which yon fulfilled your double duties as member of the commission and chairman of a subcommission. Without skill and judgment your task as chairman might have proved; interminable, and it is to your power of getting the sub-commission to work diacriminately and to co-operate together that we owe the succinct and accurate table of facts that forms part of our complete r* port." MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. ' It is now announced that President Wilson remains till the German treaty is settled. The proposed commission to Syria ha* been abandoned. It Is expected that Prance will receive a mandate over and America a mandate over Armenia. Jewish representatives failed to secure the inclusion of a religious liberty clause in the League of Nations constitution. President Wilson had an extremely busy day with callers, its crowning glory being the conferring of citizenship by the R»« public of San Marino. Mr Lloyd George-has departed for London. He will return on Thursday. Befor* leaving he stated that everything had gone well and was still going well at the conference. He was satisfied with the results, and M. Clemenceau wai also thoroughly grateful. President has issued a statement! on behalf of the council of the " Big Four " that the questions relating to peac* are so near a complete solution that they! will be quickly drafted. Mr Hughes and other dominion repre» sentatives have done good spadework on the commission's committees, but at % great waste of time, for their position ha* been largely that of onlookers; neverth*» less, they are consoled by having their signatures appearing on treaties, this ensuring that their names will go down to posterity.