PEACE CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13754, 5 February 1919, Page 6

PEACE CONFERENCE.

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) NI'AV YORK. Monday.

A Paris message states that the American Delegation is ready to submit to the Great Powers what it thinks constitutes the freedom of the seas, and what the United States expects the Peace Congress to do regarding the government of navies and mercantile

marine. The proposals are as follows: — (1 )No nation shall have :\- ileet so large as to be able to control the seas. (_) The sea rules laid down at the time of peace shall _ be unchanged while war is progressing. (Il) Kvery nation, whether belligerent or neutral, shall be held to strict accountability by the League of Nations i'ov the observance of the sea rules in time of war.

(4) Contraband, shall be explicitly doh'ned in the time of peace, ami no neutral shall ship contraband to a belligerent, nor shall ships of a neutral attempt to run a blockade. (.">) The submarine shall be greatly restricted, and preferably forbidden altogether. The' American delegates deny that the British Fleet is the only Ileet iv the world strong enough to control the seas without the'assistance of other nations. The American delegates contend that v single licet powerful enough to defeat the condoned naval forces of the world cannot be maintained without giving that Power an unfair advantage, which is contrjiry to the spirit of the League of Nations.

They answer the contention that the American position is .aimed against England, by saying that the I'nitod States knows that Mie British Fleet would never be u-H'd against her.

The delegates make it clear that whatever maximum naval force is allowed one Power, the Cnited States will have the right to build ;; Ileet o<|iial to that I'ower.

The American representatives contend that practices applying to contraband and the light to visit and search causes trouble ami irritation between the belligerents -niid neutrals whenever wars are in progress. It is realised that the severity of the British Navy in this and other way- ia preventing Germany obtaining supplies had much to do with winning tho war. but the hope is expressed that .Britain will :i.gree to a modification of rh*< rules that will remove the friction and ill-feeling caused by those practices.

It is pointed out that in tile event of :i. war between England and Hermany. contraband shipped from the Lnited States to Holland might find its way into Hermany. The American proposal is that all neutral Governments enlisted in the League of Nations would bind themselves not to tranship con! r,*iba n-l into belligerent territory. Thus, if

cotton w.ns a contraband of war, ami the Lnited States shipped cotton to Holland. Holland would be bound by its obligations (o (he League to prevent the cotton getting into Hermany. *- In case of alliliation the League would provide mean.- „i impo-big lie.ay*- pun isiimott . It is stated thai Britain is sympathetic towards the proposal for a. reduc ton of naval armaments in. connection with the Peace Treaty.

The arrangements are not yet' dis closed and details are not yet corn-hid ed .