THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE RACIAL QUESTION. DISCUSSED BY DOMINION REPRESENTATIVES. PROPOSED COMPROMISE. Beceived March 27, 8.55 p.m. Paris, March 26. Mr.- Murdoch statts that the Dominion representatives discussed the Japanese representatives to the League of Nations. In effect, this representation was that the Japanese would waive the racial question In its direct bearing upon immigration, but reserved the right to bring tip the principle of racial equality. Japan's attitude during the recent weeks has been one of extraordinary isolation. Her policy is to leave Europe to find its ltvel while she digs deeper into the Pacific and China. Thus there is anxiety (•It about Japan. She may use the equftlity incident to withdraw from Europe, and this would mean that she Would fortify the Caroline and Marshall Idanb. '

Sir. Robert Borden suggested the acceptance of some expression of racial ■quality as inevitable. Mr. Massey asked whether words could tie added safeguarding the immigration and labor laws, thus giving the nations the ri|fit to make whatever immigration and labor laws they pleased. Gcr.eral Smuts thought no reference to such details could be embodied in the preamble. Mr. Hughes declared against abating ©Be jot of the opposition to any expression in the' covenant against racial discrimination.

By arrangement, tie Japanese representatives were present during the later ■tages of the discussion, in which Mr. Massev, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Hughes, And Sir Josieph Cook were absolutely united in opposing the proposal. The subject now goes jor discussion before the League Commission, at which General Smuts will be the only Dominion (•preventative present. This League Commission is rushing forward the covenant for inclusion in the peace treaty. It has surrounded itself with almost impenttrable barriers. In order to avoid criticism, the discussions, and even the amendments, remain uncirculated, and ftfcy plenary session which may be held Wore peace terms are presented to the Qermans will not permit of talking or tpting, but will be held under enormous iSterael and external pressure for imjaedlate peace. The Japanese Press Bureau explains that the amendment proposed to the covenant was just a broad statement of principle, providing equal and just treatment for all alien nations of the League, Without racial discrimination. —United

THE INDEMNIT'ES. AMERICA'S LARGE CLAIM. Received March 27, 8.55 p.m. . Paris, March 21. In connection with indemnities, the United States put in a maximum claim for losses of liije and property during the war of eleven hundred million sterling. The life claim is based on the demand for £SOOO for each life lost by the illegal aetion of Germany, naturally eicluding those lost while fighting on land and-sea.-r-Reuter.

SECRET CONFERENCES. 10 PREVENT LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION. Received March 27, 8.15 p.m. Paris, March 26. Representatives of the "Big Four" began a conference on peace terms in absolute secrecy, without stenographers or secretaries, owing to complaints as to leakage of information from the Council of Ten, which, at the times when matters regarding the small nations were under consideration, caused embarrassment through delegations of email States clamoring to hare their views placed before the Cotlncil. Apart from this, it Was realised that the cumbrous machinery was oausing a serious delay in reaching peace.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

JOINT TREATY. TO ALL ENEMY NATIONS. Paris, March 25. Plant are on foot to join Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria and Germany under a single peace treaty in order to meet Italy's objections to the omission of her special interests in Austria, form the firat agreements.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Paris, March 26. It Is stated that the Allied pleni-, potentiaries have virtually decided to present the peace treaty simultaneously to the enemy powers.—Aua.-> T .Z. Cable Assn.

- PEASE STILL DISTANT. . LORD MILKER'S VIEWS. .. , . London, March 25. Jx, Chnrehill, in the House of Commons, said that ithe French forces in the Ukraine met.with -great hostility on the part of the ■ people and' were obliged to retire,, giving up Kherson and Nikolaev.*. French, Greek and Russian forces were defending Odessa against *ke jßolsheviks. < Lord MUner, in the House of Lords, •aid that it was impossible to reduce the army and navy considerably jas peace was still distant.

LLOYD GEORGE AND NEWS LEAKAGE. Paris, March 26. it is reported that Mr. Lloyd George, expressing to the Council of Ten his resentment at the leakage whereby the newspapers learned his Polish opinions, threatened to secure the removal of the conference elsewhere, possibly to the souatiy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN DELEGATES. Received March 28,12.10 a m. Copenhagen, March 27. The- Germitn financial delegates left Berlin, for Versailles.—Aus. and N.Z. CableAssoc.