THE PEACE CONGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14029, 4 April 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONGRESS

ITALIAN CLAIMS SATISFACTORILY SETTLED. (Beuler's Telegrams.) Received April 4, 12.45 a.m. ROME, April 2. The newspapers announce that the Peace Conference has settled the Italian claims in a manner favourable to Italy. DANTZEG TO BE A FREE CITY. PLEBISCITE IN VISTULA VALLEY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 4, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 3. The Daily Express' Paris correspondent states that the "Big Four" have decided, that Dantzig shall be a free city. A plebiscite is to be taken regarding the Vistula Valley, and the people will decide the Hag under which they will live. DELAYS CAUSE ANXIETY. BARGAINING WITH LENIN CONDEMNED. INFLUENCE OF, INTERESTED ' FINANCIERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 4, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, April 3. There is growing anxiety in many responsible quarters owing to "Big Four's", indecision on many vital questions. It is regarded as particularly urgent that a clear and courageous Russian policy must be formulated. It appears that last week's deal with the Bolsheviks almost materialised, and it is suggested that interested financiers were behind the proposal. Mr Howard Williams earnestly protests against such negotiations, which Lenin would readily enter into, giving worthless promises in order to achieve his ambition of a world revolution. There is only one way to act, namely, to feed and organise Europe, and to support the anti-Bolsheviqs morally and materiallyi'-' /■•-'■ The newspapers are uneasy owing to the Bolshevik character of the rising in Egypt anri ihe disturbances in South Afritea, Western Canada, and Queensland. Koltchak's. army continues to press towards the Volga, where antiBolshevik peasant risings are reported. The slow progress at the Peace Conference'has led ttaj';,a startling movement in England, which is appealing for the withdrawal of the blockade against Germany in order to facilitate greater food imports. The movement is based on special reports as to famine conditions and the people's despair, upon which Bolshevism is rapidly growing. The movement includes bishops, clergy, and many public men not associated with politics, besides prominent opponents of the Lloyd George Government. RHINELAND TO BE NEUTRALISED. PENDING PAYMENT OF INDEMNITIES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) ; Received April 4, 10.50 a.m. » PARIS, April 3. The Council of Four has agreed that the left bank of the Rhine be neutralised, pending the German payment of indemnities. It is suggested that Belgian and French garrisons be maintained for the duration of this period. THE LABOUR CONVENTION. DISAPPOINTMENT WITH PRO••''!j J VISIONS". , . ■ ,?, hy/isaaa ■■■/■■ft (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 4, 11.15 a.m. PARIS, April 2. The Labour Convention comprises a preamble and 41 articles. The governing body consists of 12 Government representatives, and six each representing the employers and workmen. No high contracting party with its dominions and colonies can nominate more than one member to the governing body. Each nation is to pay the travelling and subsistence expenses of its members, but the league will bear the- cost of the meetings of the conference. The governing body in each country must accept the convention within 12 months of the conclusion or the conference. The British dominions and India possess the same rights and obligations as if they were separate contracting parties. The Italian delegation abstained from voting on the article' providing special consideration should a federal State become deprived by the conference of adequate power., There is general disappointment with the convention!, as. beyond the value derivable from the annual conference it is singularly-Ineffective. , The flrsjjimeeting, which is to be held in Washington,".will deal with an eight .hours" day and proposals against unemployment and \ the conditions of w»men and children as made for them by the "Berne Convention.