THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

SETTING THE WOULD RIGHT. RECONSTRUCTION POLICY. Received Feb. 6, 12.40 p.m. London, Feb. 4. General Maurice, writing from Paris, sayg that it ii becoming abundantly tlear that neither Germany nor all our enemies together can find the resources necessary to set the world on its feet again. Very little can be expected from Austria, Bulgaria or Turkey, and it is doubtful whether we shall be able to wring sufficient from Germany to' restore the material damage in France, Belgium, Serbia and Roumania. Possibly Britain may Obtain some shipping to compensate for her losses at sea. Possibly Germany may to some extent meet the Bill by territorial adjustments, such as the allocation of the Saar Valley coalfields to Prance to compensate for the destruction of tlit Lens coalfields. Other similar arrangements are contemplated.—Aus. and N-Z. Cable Assoc. JJTTLE CHANCE OF INDEMNITIES. ALLIES MUST RELY ON OWN RESOURCES. Received Feb. 6, 9.35 p.m. London, Feb. 5. Ihe Morning Post's Paris correspondent sees little prospect of indemnities. The seizure of the German colonies as compensation finds universal acceptance, but will not solve the financial problem' particularly that in respect to France 'who staked her all in 1916-17. The colonies will long be unproductive and the Saar valley will take a long time to exploit. The Allies are faced with the prospect of working out their own financial salvation.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. GREEK CLAIMS. PRESIDENT WILSON'S DEPARTURE. Received Feb. 6, 7.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 4. ; The council further heard the Greek claims, and a resolution was carried referring the claims to an expert committee consisting of two representatives each for Britain, America, France, and Italy. The committee will reduce the questions for decison within the narrowest limits and make recommendations for a just .settlement of the question. The Czecho-Slovaks will be heard tomorrow. Probably the council will adjourn at the week-end for a short recess. Mr. Lloyd George returns to England and President Wilson sails for America next week. The plenary session may consider the league of nations question before the President's departure.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PUNISHMENT OF THE ENEMY. THE BRITISH ATTITUDE. Received Feb. 6, 11.40 p.m. London, Feb. 4. Sir Gordon Hewart informed journalin Pari? that the British view of the punishment of the enemy offenders is that, however highly placed, they must be made to suffer suitable punishment. A great mass of valuable information has already been collected and sifted.—Reut*r. CONSIDERATION OF CONSTITUTION. Received Feb. 6, 9.35 p.m. Paris, Feb. 5. The reparation committee met and exchanged view*. The preamble and two articles of the Society of nations constitution were officially adopted.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE FULLEST REPARATION. XO BE DEMANDED FROM GERMANY. ' Received Feb. 6, 10 p.m. London, Feb. 5. Some vague hints are circulated in reference to the weakening in the desire for reparation. It may be definitely stated that the British delegates are determined to secure the fullest reparation from Germany .-Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS. Paris, Feb. 4. The constitution of the League of Nations embracing important Anglo-Amcri-can features, will be completed on February 4. According to authoritative information all parties have already accepted the principle of the reduction of armaments.—Aus. and N.Z. C'abl ■ Assoc. ITALIAN FEELING. Paris, Feb. 4. Information from a reliable source states that Italy is willing to disregard the London Treaty as soon as it 13 evident that the League of Nations will bring about a fair territorial readjustment.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. BRAZIL'S PEACE BILL. , Paris, Feb. 4. Brazil will probably claim the right to retain -U German merchantmen valued j *t £s.z<i id. also payment of six million sterling deposited in German banks for coflee purchased before the war. If the conference decided on an indemnity for war expenditure, Brazil will slaim ten millions.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. _ THE REPARATION PROBTJM. London. Feb. 4. The Evening Standard savs that the Contcrencc determined to exact full and ample reparation for unjustifiable dam--A- sharp distinction is drawn between damage due to legitimate warfare and wanton damage. Only Belgium and Secvia have completed detailed claims for reparation. It is diflieult to allocate the responsibility in the case of the Servian claims between Bulgaria and Austria, as the latter Empire does not exist. _ Belgium will receive 'the first reparation. France la making up a considerable Bill for outrages and deliberate destruction of property, but has abandoned the demand for the return of the indemnity ZtZ. CablaJji-