LEAGUE OF NATIONS PROPOSALS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11748, 7 February 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS PROPOSALS

JAPAN WILLING TO JOIN. New York, February 5. A Paris message states: Indications are that compulsory arbitration %vill not be included in the constitution of the League of Nations. Japanese delegates declare they are in accord with the principle. Japan will join the League. MESSAGE FROM BOLSHEVIKS DESIROUS OF AGREEMENT London, February 5. A Russian wireless acknowledges the Entente’s suggestion that the Bolsheviks confer at Prinkipo They have not received a formal invitatiou.but are ready for all mesnres to reach an agreement with the Entente.

DISCUSSION OF PROBABILITIES HOW “A LEAGUE MAY AFFECT NEW ZEALAND. Received Feb 7, 9 a.m. , Paris, Feb 5. The Commission on the League of Nations has not issued communiques. It his held lengthy sittings and made great progress with a view to enabling President Wilson to carry the approved plan to America. There is a good deal of discussion outside the Commission as to the effect of the League of Nations — whether it will supersede the Monroe Doclrine’or r strengthen£it. Many hypothetical questions are raised in view of the United States taking mandatory "powers lover "certain European territories, and also whether some European Powers might not find it couvenienOo intervene in the Western Hemisphere. For instance, if South American nations became embroiled, would the League have power to assign the task of quelling the dispute to a given group of nations, including an European country, or would it defer to the United States. The point has an interest for Australia Inasmuch as she may be liable to bs called upon to contribute her quota of soldiers to any League’s little wars whereiu the British Empire’s interests may not in the least be concerned. On the other hand the value of the League in preventing wars may he worth this contribution. MR TAFT OBJECTS TO MANDATES. The expression of American public opinion is reflected in a cablegram from New Yore, which shows uneasiness as to the course the League is taking. Newspapers give prominence to Mr Taft’s demands for a League with teeth. He objects to mandatories over the German colonies, and claims that they should he administered directly by the League. He thinks mandatories are thinly veiled territorial acquisitions. If Mr Taft’s idea is developad it will not relieve Mr Wilson of hia present, embarrassment over mixing America np in complicated near Eastern problems, over which it is suggested she should exercise mandatory power. It is these very doubts as to what powers will ultimately be vested in the League that makes Mr Hughes insist on an explicit mandatory being granted by the Peace Conference.