DISCUSSION OF ROUTINE MATTERS.

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

DISCUSSION OF ROUTINE MATTERS.

AMERICA AND SAMOA

A SURPRISING SUGGESTION

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received Feb. 21, 10.20 p.m.)

Paris, Feb. ,0.8,

It is understood that din-ing President Wilson's absence the Peace Conference will handle only routine matters, and will not make momentous decisions until his return.

Important matters which the Conference has not yet definitely settled are France's claims to the Saar Valley, the dispute between Italy and the JugoS'avs about Dalmatia, the conflicting territorial claims of the German-Aus-trians and Poles, Czecho-Slovaks, Hungarians, Roumanians, Greeks, and Arabs, and the Russian situation.

It is still unknown whether the Princes Island,.conference Avill be held.

It is stated that Mr Lloyd George vrged President Wilson to assume mandatory responsibilities over the Samoan islands. The President did not commit himself, 'but he may suggest to Congress that the United States should assume the mandatory.