BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 18078, 3 May 1919, Page 2

BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Prominent Part at Ibe Peace Coni £ re ace. What Germany Loses. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, April 30. The British delegates played a more prominent part in the work of the Conference than appears on the surface. The Labour Convention in the treaty is a solely British achievement. The British can claim a great share in framing the League Covenant and to this Sir J. E. Drummond’s appointment as Secretary-General is believed to be due. All the terms were almost entirely the work of the British, and although the French naturally exercised a preponderating influence in fixing the military terms yet it was Mr Lloyd George’s insistence that secured the abolition of conscription in Germany. The British also insisted on the Kaiser’s punishment. Nothing can yet be said about reparation, but when the treaty is published it will certainly be found that particular losses, such as those by the submarine campaign, will receive full compensation. Under the treaty Germany loses 70 per cent, of her iron ore, one-third of her coal, 20 per cent, of her potash and between seven and eight millions of her population. THE'PEACE TREATY. LONDON, May 1. It is expected that the peace treaty will be handed to the newspapers on Saturday. THE FIUME PROBLEM. NEW YORK, April 30. The New York Times's Paris correspondent, says there is a general feeling that the Italian Parliament will permit Signor Orlando to return to Paris and renew negotiations regarding Fiume. It is believed that although no Italian delegate participated in the ratification of the covenant by the plenary session Italy will ratify the League. RESTORING BELGIAN FINANCE. PARIS, May 1. The Allies have guaranteed Belgium £100,000,000 out of the first German payment and have relieved Belgium of the repayment of Allied loans. SITUATION IN HUNGARY. GREEK VESSEL ATTACKED. RUMANIAN ARMY ADVANCES. LONDON, April 29. As the outcome of the Entente warning a Hungarian Government decree places aliens under special protection. Persons insulting them are punishable by death. Unknown armed persons attacked a Greek vessel at Budapest. The Government is endeavouring to find the wrongdoers with a view to exemplary punishment. A Hungarian communique states; The Rumanians' have captured Szattmarenzi, and the fall of Nagyvard is inevitable. Only the smallest section of our troops stood firm. The remainder fled before the enemy. LONDON, May 1. The Rumanians have advanced 100 miles, and are now half way to Budapest. BATTLE OF VILNA. WARSAW, April 29. The fight for Vilna lasted three days. Lida was captured by the bayonet. Considerable booty was taken in all places. THE MUNICH SPARTACISTS. GOVERNMENT TROOPS OPEN ATTACK. BERLIN, April 29. Government troops began an attack on Munich from all sides and a number of villages were occupied. The Spartacists will be given a last opportunity to surrender.