QUESTION OF REPARATION

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15000, 22 February 1919, Page 5

QUESTION OF REPARATION

PRELIMINARY UNDERSTANDING SOUGHT.

THE ADRIATIC PROBLEM

JAPAN AN3> THE PACIFIC

ISLANDS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

Paris, Feb. 20

It .is understood that the Reparation Commission decided "to anticipate any question in regard to delay in arriving at a decision by referring back to the Council of Ten, asking their conception of reparation in regard to the original references to reparation in the Armistice terms. It is known that the American and French conceptions are incompatible, while the British views approach nearer to the French ideals. A suggestion has been made to appoint a special commission to deal with i the Adriatic question. Baron Sonnino | objects, and stands by the Italian! treaty. There is a distinction between that treaty and the Roumanian one. inasmuch as Roumania signed a separate peace. The Conference has not yet, reached a decision on this point. Signor Orlando is now in Rome, and possibly Baron Sonnino's attitude may have a reaction on the Italian political situation, and the Conference may have to wait to see whether Signor Orlando or Baron Sonnino survives it:

An interesting development regarding the mandatory clause of the League of Nations is that Japan is voicing a [strong plea that the Northern Pacific islands mandates be similar to the Australasian mandate. Japan is putting nothing on paper, but is qonduct-

CABLE NEWS.

(Press Association.—Copyright.]

ing a forceful campaign, claiming that the same provisions should apply to the Caroline and Marshall Islands as to Samoa and New Guinea.

The British .delegation will meet on Thursday and appointi a special committee to consider all aspects ' of- the mandatory clause, with a view to securing the strongest possible mandates. It is likely that Sir Joseph Ward will be appointed a member.