PEACE CONFERENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18253, 23 November 1933, Page 3

PEACE CONFERENCE

LORD RIDDELL’S BOOK AN INTIMATE DIARY LONDON, Nov. 16. In one of the most human and absorbing books for 10 years, Lord Riddell gives his intimate diary of tho “Peace Conference and after,” with a number of allusions to Australians. Mr. Lloyd George, talking to General Sir Henry Wilson, said: “Your cousin (meaning President Wilson) has been giving us a lot of trouble. I had quite a row over compensation, i. said Australia was a long way off, _ but had fiven more lives than America. The 'resident replied: ‘Yes, but America was indispensable.’ I said, ‘So was Australia. If Australia had not dono what she did when she did, America’s efforts would have been useless.’ Evidently the President did not want to continue the discussion and remarked: ‘Very well, then.’

Retelling an oft-told story of Mr. W. M. Hughes, Lord Riddell said that Mr. Lloyd George was upset at hearing that Mr. Hughes, General Botlia [South Africa) and Sir Joseph Ward (New Zealand) considered that tho British Cabinet was “kowtowing” to President Wilson.

At tea Mr. Hughes put a, cigarette behind his ear in a curious contrast with the regal surroundings. Ho began to talk about tho colonial position. “Do l understand,” said President Wilson to Mr. Hughes, “that when dealing with the mandate question, Australia, in tho face of the wishes of tho world, will insist ou having her own way?” Mr. Hughes replied, with hand to ear: “Yes, that’s about it.” The answer so flabbergasted President Wilson that ho did not continue the conversation. Lord Riddell affirms that ex-President Wilson, though a pedant and cold, was an honest, contriving politician. Asquith was hesitant and a fumbler. Kitchener was a narrow-minded soldier who nearly lost the war. Colonel Mouse (U.S.A.) was a shrewd negotiator, Clemenceau saving to him : “I can get on with you, but talking to President Wilson is like talking to the Lord.” Mr. MacDonald was willing to be a martyr for his views. Lord Northcliffe was constantly seeking to thrust himself into the Cabinet, then the Peace Conference.