PEACE TREATIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 19

PEACE TREATIES.

{By Cable.')

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION. LONDON, February 24. The Allies have decided that they are unable to enter into diplomatic relations ■with the Soviet Government until thej are convinced that the Bolshevist horrors have ended, and that the Government is prepared to conform to the practices of civilised Governments. Meanwhile the Allies are willing to encourage to the utmost commerce between Russia and Europe. They welcome the proposal that the Labour Bureau and the League of Nations will send a commission to examine Russian conditions. LONDON, February 24. The Supreme Council’s communique states: The British and Swiss Governments have both been compelled to expel the representatives of the Soviet Government because they abused the privileges extended to them. Investigations by the International Labour Bureau would be invested with greater authority, and would have still better chances of success if conducted under the supervision of the Council of the League of Nations; so the bureau invites the League of Nations to take action in this direction. It is understood that the Supreme Council lias been considering proposals of peace from M. Lenin which Captain O’Grady brought from M. Litvinoff. Le Matin states that the terms include the reopening of trade between the Allies and Russia, the abolition of private property in Russia, a dictatorship of the proletariat, and the supremacy of the International as opposed to what M. Lenin calls the ‘’Capitalistic League of Nations.” The Supreme Council to-day issued a communique, the main points, of which have already been cabled. It adds that the Allies have decided that they cannot advise communities bordering upon the frontiers of Soviet Russia to continue war or to adopt a policy of aggression towards Russia; but, if the Soviet attacks them inside their legitimate frontiers,- the Allies will give every possible support to the counties attacked. THE, ADRIATIC TANGLE. WASHINGTON, February 20. President Wilson’s answer to the Allies’ Note regarding the Adriatic question is considered to be his final word. One official ‘said that Mr Wilson thought that no further correspondence would be necessary. Rumours from abroad meanwhile indicate that Britain and France will accede to Mr Wilson’s desires. NEW YORK. February 24. The New York Times Washington correspondent understands that President Wilson’s reply to the Allies’ Adriatic Note will be despatched to-night, and will probably be handed to the Supreme Council on February 25. It is said that there are several Italian leaders who have been willing to accept the December plan for a settlement of the Adriatic question. They agree with France, Britain, and 'the United States, but the Italian Government was embarrassed by d’Annunzio’s action and strong propaganda in Italy, and his annexation of Fiume. Thus the Government could not accept the December agreement. It is predicted- that President Wilson’s Note malms another effort to convince the Italian Government and the people that a just and wise settlement can be made only on the basis of the December plan. LONDON. February 26. President Wilson’s reply to the Allies’ Adriatic Note is milder in tone, but adheres to the former standpoint. The Supreme Council considered further the Note from President Wilson regardiag the Adriatic, on which they have adjourned the discussion. FRENCH PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. PARIS, February 20. President Deschanel has sent a Message to Parliament stating that the first guarantee of peace Wias to strengthen the unity of the peoples who fought for Right. It was this basis on which the League of Nations was established. France was seeking to live in security, and she desires that Germany be compelled to obey the treaty, and that the aggressor shall not snatch from France the fruit of her heroic sacrifices. President Deschanel will meet King Alphonso of Spain at Bordeaux on March 1, when they will discuss the Morocco question. M. Poincaire, who was appointed chairman of the Reparations Commission, has gratified public opinion owing to his determination to see the treaty carried out. GERMAN ARMY REDUCTION. LONDON, February 25. In the House of Commons, replying to questions, Mr Churchill expressed the opinion that the treaty arrangements regarding the reduction in the German army were being generally adhered to, but the whole subject had to be watched daily by the inter-Allied Commission, headed by Marshal Foch. He was confident the commission would safeguard the full execution of tho treaty. There had been hitherto no recalcitrancy on the part of the German Government, which was carrying out to the best of its ability a great many clauses which must be most obnoxious to it. Mr Bonar Law informed the House of Commons that a Nava] and Military Commission had gone to Heligoland to supervise the demolition of its fortresses, THE SUPREME COUNCIL. FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ■ QUESTIONS. LONDON, February 27. An official meeting of the Supremo Council this morning was attended by

British, French, and Italian financial and economic experts, who began an examination of the problems relating to the high prices ruling in Europe and the rates of exchange. It was agreed to divide the Council for the present into two parts. The Premiers, with their financial and economic advisers, Avill investigate the high prices, while the Foreign, Ministers, ambassadors, and experts will meet at the Foreign Office and will continue the preparation of the Turkish Peace. Treaty. Combined meetings will be held when necessary. The correspondence on the Adriatic question has been published in reply to President Wilson's last Note. Mr Lloyd George and M. Millerand have withdrawn the proposals made on December 9 and January 20, and they invite President Wilson to join them in urging the Italian and Jugo-Slav Governments to negotiate a mutual agreement on the basis of the withdrawal of all previous proposals. If this proposal fails, the United States, Britain, and France should again consider the question in common. As regards the Treaty of London, the reply says that the Italian Government cooperated most loyally and assiduously with the French and British Governments with a view to replacing the Treaty of London by a settlement satisfactory alike to it and to Jugo-Slavia. All the Allies cordially hope that such an agreement will be reached, but they cannot disguise the fact that, should no such voluntary agreement be reached, the Treaty of London would then become the only valid conclusion so far as they are concerned. The reply emphasises the urgency and importance of a speedy settlement of the dispute, which is now gravely threatening peace and delaying the reconstruction of South-eastern Europe. With reference to Albania, Mr Lloyd George and M. Millerand express the conviction that by a reconsideration of the Albanian question a settlement can _be reached which will satisfy Albanian aspirations for full self-government, while giving consideration to the vital interests of all concerned, including the necessity of assuring Jugo-Slavia of an outlet to the Adriatic in the Scutari region. They are wiling to urge upon the Governments concerned the need of bringing these desires into line with the American point of view.

ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS. THE HAGUE, February 20

Unusually close surveillance has been introduced at Amerongen. The ex Kaiser's guards now total 20, and nobody is ad mitted to the castle grounds without a pass signed by the ex-Kaiser and Count Bentick (the ex-Kaiser's host at Amerongen). PARIS, February 22. The report that the ex-Crown Prince of Germany telegraphed to the Allies offering his unconditional surrender for trial is confirmed.

The Allies decided not to reply to the offer.

The Allies have decided to propose that Germany shall try selected war criminals whose guilt can be? overwhelmingly proved, and that the cases shall be treated as a crucial test of Germany's attitude towards the treaty. LONDON, February 23.

In the Commons Mr Bonar Law, replying to Sir W. E. Hume-Williams, said that no alteration had been made in the provision in the Peace Treaty for the trial of war criminals. He confirmed the announcement, however, that the Allies had decided to postpone temporarily the immediate execution of these provisions. He assured the House that the Allies intended to make certain that all evidence brought for the prosecution was properly put before the court, and he added that Leipzig had been suggested as the place for the court to sit.

BERLIN, February 21

' Herr Schiffer is expecting the trial of the war criminals, which he says is not due to the Allies’ dictation but because Germany’s sense of honour demanded that the guilty should be punished. The evidence of witnesses outside Germany will be taken abroad. The alleged criminals who do not surrender will be arrested. PARIS, February 25. The Allied Commission will meet on Saturday to consider typical cases of German crimes which will be reported to the German tribunal. AMERICA’S RESPONSIBILITY. NEW YORK, February 18. In a speech delivered to the students of Columbia University Mr Henry Morganthau, former United States Ambassador to Turkey, warns America that she will be involved in another European war within 10 years unless she accepts a share of the responsibility for putting Europe and Asia on their -feet again. AMERICA AND THE TREATY. WASHINGTON, February 25. The Peace Treaty debate in the Senate developed some queer features. Snatpr France, an irreconcilable opponent of the treaty, introduced a resolution in favour of an immediate declaration of a state of peace between the United States and Germany, the withdrawal of United States troops from foreign soil, and an appropriation of £3,000,000 to cover the expenses of a world conference at Washington to discuss a new Peace League. The Senate gasped, and passed on to other business. LONDON, February 18. The Times, in an editorial headed “Very Serious Situation,” states that the issue will be as fateful as any ever presented to the world’s peoples if any untoward consequences follow the Allied Supreme Council’s handling of the momentous matter of the preservation of American friendship in the affairs of Europe. The authors will be made to bear the full responsibility for their acts. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. CANADIAN’S PLAIN SPEAKING. OTTAWA, February 19. Mr Arthur Meigher, Minister of the

' Interior, is generally regarded as the pro- | bable successor to Sir Robert. Borden in the Premiership, i In a speech referring to the United States Senate's claim tnat America was 1 not bound by the decisions of the League i of Nations Mr Meigher declared that 1 membership of the league without being ' bound by its decisions was a mere sham; consequently the United States Senates | proposed reservations would mean that ' either Canada or the United States would have to step from the league. The, Canadian Government has taken an unequivocal and determined stand that Canadian representation was essential if her right of nationhood was not to be abrogated. Canada demanded and insisted on her rights, and could recognise no league where Canada's vote and representation were not conceded. ' In his speech at Winnipeg the Minister of the Interior said he regretted that the United States was challenging Canada s status as a nation. The position that England would control Canada on the league was untenable, since the United States would dominate Hayti, San Domingo, and other nations permitted to . vote in the league. NEW MEMBERS OF LEAGUE. OTTAWA, February 18. Canada has been notified that Persia (? Peru), Chile, Paraguay, and the Argentine have joined the League of Nations. POSITION OF OVERSEAS DOMINIONS. WELLINGTON, February 25. The following** stabament is made by the Prime Minister in answer to questions as to the attitude of the Government in regard to America's objection to the position given the Overseas Dominions in the League of Nations:—" I could not possibly agree to any suggestion that New Zealand , should give up her right to take part in | the Loaguo of Nations as a dominion of the British Empire, and as provided in Article 1 of the Covenant and in the annex to the latter. On the contrary,, I am confident that New Zealand will stand with Canada, and insist on our nationhood as dominions continuing to be recognised, although always nationhood within the Empire. We have to think of the future rather than the present, and if we give i away our rights and privileges now or conj sent to an important reservation on the I part of other members of the League, then ! the time will come when the citizens of the ] overseas countries of the Empire will blamo us, and very properly, for cur want of foreI sight. I had hoped, and hope still, to see the Anglo-Saxon nations unite for the preservation of peace, though recent indications in the United States are not enI couraging. In connection with the difficulty which has arisen, it is well to remember the first paragraph of Article 5, which is as follows: ' Except where otherI wise expressly provided in the Covenant ■ or by terms of this present Treaty, the decisions at any meeting of the assembly I or of the council shall require the agreement of all members of the League represented at this meeting.' This simply means that in all important matters there must be unanimity, though so far as the Council is concerned there is very little prospect iof any representative of the British I dominions being permanently appointed to ! it."