BRITAIN'S DECISION AS TO DISPOSAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 24, 28 January 1919, Page 7

BRITAIN'S DECISION AS TO DISPOSAL

LEAGUE OF NATIONS TO

DECIDE

"THE GREATEST VICTORY OF THE WAR."

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAX-NBIV ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January 28, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, 25th January

The British decision to leave the important task of disposing of Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the German colonies to the League of Nations adds enormously to the interest of to-day's open discussion. Although it is unofficial, the newspapers accept the accuracy of the report, which arrived too late for general* comment. The headlines, however, indicate that it will meet with vigorous opposition in some quarters. The Daily News, in a brief leader, says the decision has established the League in its true place in relation to the Conference, mid will invest the whole of the proceedings with an atmosphere of confidence and goodwill. By the refusal of a powerful nation to take advantage of its possession of valuable territory, the decision may well prove the greatest victory of the war." The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that President Wilson recently formed an idea of treating the colonies as neutral States under the guardianship of the League. French official circles considered the scheme unpractical, and it is not believed that America will persist in supporting it, especially after the conversations in London, where it is understood the British and American standpoints were_ drawn nearer together. General Maurice, writing from Paris, says that those who regard' the League of Nations as an amiable dream are exploiting the irritation of the French press regarding Russia. Britain, by her readiness to apply the principle of holding conquered territories in trust for the benefit of their inhabitants under a general "supernational" authority, adopts the best method of soothing this irritation. It must be remembered that Britain holds move conquered territory than any of her Allies. It is desirable to remove the suspicion that we, having got all we want, are now seeking concessions for others and not giving anything in return.