THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

yu& CRIMES COMMISSION, PUNIBHMENT A PROBLEM. QUESTION OF INDEMNITIES. Received Feb. 5, S.IO p.m. London, Feb. 4. Official: The commission on breaches of the rules of war, to which Mr. Massey has been appointed consists of two representatives of each of the five great Powers, and may be described as a grand jury of the Allies to consider the world's terrible indictment of the authors of the war and the enemy's crimes against all the laws of the free nations. The British members are Sir Gordon Hewart (Attorney-General) and Mr. Masscy. Mr. Lansing has been elected chairman of the commission. The inquiry will include the responsibility for the enemy's crimes, the constitution of the tribunal and procedure for trial of the offenders, however highly placed, and the commission will report to the Peace Conference on the facts as regards breaches on land and sea during the war It is certain that a true bill Will be returned, but the punishment Will be a problem. There is a feeling growing in certain quarters against demanding the payment of indemnities by our enemies. The question will be keenly discussed. Many delegates are favoring a demand for the full measure of material and financial Reparation.—Aus. NX Cable Assoc. VENIZELOS PRESENTS GREECE'S CLAIMS. MB. KUQHES AND THE MANDATORY Received Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Paris, Feb. 3. rhe Australian press correspondent states that M. Venizelos ably presented Greece's case and created a favorable ■ impression as to their claim in Asia Minor. Cutting off, as it does, the Turkish littoral, it may occasion a difficulty in arranging. The base of their claim for Constantinople is that a third of the ' population are Greek. Mr. Hughes declared that evidence in his possession proves the statement that the mandatory was settled in London is untrue. Be intends to inquire into the matter farther, because the statement came from a source which cannot be ignored, and seems to suggest that he was a party to the settlement. Mr. Massey is unable to say anything on the matter, as, if the decision was come to, it was before his arrival, and he was not informed of any such' conclusion.—Aps. N.Z. Cable Assoc. AMERICAN AND BRITISH PARTNER- . ~ SHIP. „ Received Feb. 5,5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 3. Deputy Mennier, writing to the Socialist newspaper Verite, says that if President Wilson succeeds in establish* ing a League of Nations it will be partly due to Mr Lloyd George's loyal assistance. * Certain politicians for 'some time have been trying to push Mr Hughes forward at Mr Lloyd George's expense. This is a difficult fade, and its promoters are likely to prejudice Mr Hughes without hurting Mr Lloyd George: Britain and the United States •re now wedded together in a partnership and pledged to assist in the completion of the noblest cause. No scheming can separate them.—Aus--N.Z- Cable Am**GREEK PREMIER'S VIEWS. Paris, Feb. 3. In an interview, M. Venizelos said that no statesmen now in Paris wished to go overfast with the League of Nations, but the conference would probably insist oh the limitation of German armaments, which would be impossible and unfair if no League was created. Referring to the mandatory system, he hoped and believed a solution would be reached satisfying the Australian claims without invalidating the principle. Regarding Constautinople, there were two solutions The League might entrust the control to a single nation or ' administer the government itself- Anyway, the Sultan must go.—Aus.'NZ. Sable Assoc. AMERICAN SPONSORSHIP. 1 Paris, Feb. 3. Notwithstanding strong European pressure President Wilson hesitates to undertake a share of the sponsorship for Near East CountriesIt is reported that England wants America to take over Palestine, and • America is equally anxious for England to assume the task.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assoc. j- WILSON'S HINT TO MASSEY. Paris. Feb. 3. Mr Wilson seldom gives peeps at any practical detail in his mind, but gave one during the Council's discussion on the colonies. Turning towards Mr Massey, he said, "There is another power in the Samoan group, that power is America. Be sure that within the League of Natiors America will see that no Power does what Germany did in such places." Ir-United Press. ' WARNING TO POLES AND CZECHS. Paris, Feb. 3. > The 'Great Powers, owing to the con'■■'flirt between the Poles and Czechs, re:'|Wnded the combatants that they under07t(vok to refrain from hostilities pending the inquiries of the commission and the • vision of hte conference. They deslaw that no measure involving annexation of territory are binding, and that the Czechs must release the Polish prisoners recently captured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc HUGHES CRITICISED. London, Feb. 3. v-ommentiiijr on Mr Hughes' interview with Le Matin, the Westminister Gazette savs: "If the individual members of the Conference are allowed to do as Mr Hughes has done, all the National qxwttSons will be m*°> battle-ground* »n the newspapers whenever delegates arc dissatisfied with the Conference vote. This will create an impossible state ot tfWri and the Conference itself will be Woken ttp\ unless ft maintains Rome <V.«elnlh« over its 176 members. NothIn* i» more deplorable than the bad example of the Australian Prime Minktefc —Am .Bt7 -fahUjAgimV:

PLANS FOR THE LEAGUE,

TWO UNDER CONSIDERATION. Received Feb. C, 1.45 a.m. Paris, Feb. 4. Two plans are being considered for the league of nations. The first gives equal representation to the big and little Powers. There is a tendency on the part of the great nations to give every reasonable consideration to the wishes of the smaller nations, while preserving to the major Powers such voice as their responsibilities warrant. The first plan has three main features —legislative, executive, and arbitration. In the case of a dispute between nations each names an arbitrator and the latter select a third. The second plan modifies the extent of the great Powers' nomitative to the executive branch, leaving .the legislative branch the same with great and small Powers equally represented. It eliminates arbitration and substitutes an executive council of the great Powers as the tribunal. —Reuter. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES. LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS. Received Feb. 6, 12.25 a.m. Paris, Feb. 4. To-day's meeting of the league of nations commission afforded members an opportunity to express their individual views on the general principles which should govern the league. While a plan has not been disclosed, it is stated that it has been a combination of French, British, and American ideas touching upon the limitation of armaments. The naval and military commission on the responsibility for the war decided to appoint three sub-committees. Mr. Massey, M. Tardieu, and M. Politis have been named to nominate the committees. M. Klotz was elected president of the reparation committee, and Messrs Hughes and Vandenheuval vice-presidents.—Reuter. CHINA AND JAPAN. ACTION OF DELEGATES RESENTED. Received Feb. 5, 7.20 p.m. New York, Feb. 4. The Times' Pekin correspondent states that he learns from a responsible source that Japan is bringing pressure to bear upon the Chinese Government to get them to disavow the action of the Chinese peace delegation, whose activities are seriously embarrassing Japan and placing her in a false light.~Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. TEUTONIC BOUNDARIES. * ' ■ Paris, Feb. 4. Mr Balfow ; s engaged in a plan fo.' delimiting the boundaries of the Teutonic nations with the object of concluding peace as early as possible.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc.