The Daily News. SATURDAY, February 1st, 1919. FATE OF GERMAN COLONIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, February Ist, 1919. FATE OF GERMAN COLONIES.

It would seem from the cabled reports of proceedings at the Peace Conference that there is no question as to the German colonies being restored, but there- is considerable discussion as to whether these colonies shall be controlled by the League of Nations with mandator}' administration by appointees, or whether there should be actual annexation. President "Wilson is the stumbling block to annexation and the British delegates appear inclined to give the appearance of supporting him. In his fourteen peace points President Wilson propounded (amongst other tilings) the principle that there must be "an absolutely impartial adjustment of colonial claims, the inierests of the peoples concerned having equal weight with the claims of the Government whose title is to be determined." This was practically adopting as the solution of a very vital problem the system of self-determination, and however estimable that course might be from an abstract point of view there are circumstances cpnnected with the fate of those colonies that acted as a barrier to the adoption of such method, although there was no probability of the natives deciding in favor of their late taskmasters and oppressors. As a matter of fact this proposal of President Wilson was 4 evidently devised as a diplomatic substitute for his more drastic advocacy ot no annexations, but like most compromises had more faults than merits. Although this proposal has been dropped out of sight, the President still clings to his anti-annexation views, hence the introduction of the proposal to internationalise these colonies under a plausible scheme that, while giving the respective tiov ernmcnts concerned a power o*f control, the league can at, any time abrogate that power. Such a solution of the problem is entirely unacceptable, and the representatives of the Dominions have put forward very cogent, arguments in favor of out and out annexation. So far as German South-west Africa is concerned it appears to have been settled that this portion of the German colonies shall be included in the Union. No other course could possibly have been entertained by the South African Government and it is satisfactory to find that the Conference has realised this. New Zealand's chief concern ia Samoa, that of Australia being New Guinea. The arguments put forward by Mr Massey with regard to Samoa being placed absolutely under British control are unanswerable, as were those advanced by Mr Hughes and General Smuts in relation to the colonic? in which their respective governments were interested, and if it i? right that. German (Jonthwest Africa should be annexed by the South African Union Government, then it is equally just that Australia should incorporate New Guinea aod &at N&r Zp&lwd

should do likewise with Samoa. The disposal of these colonies has been much simplified by the evident jettisoning of the question ot to Germany, and great relief will be f'elt at that much, having ])eor. settled, while South Africa may feel perfectly rsalisfied at the decision arrived at. There are mostly more ways than on.' of settling knotty problems, and it would seem that the Conference took a very diplomatic course in calling upon the Dominions' Premiers to. state their casts as tc the future of the German colonies in the Pacific. It gave the Conference the semblance of a judicial tribunal which would give judgment on the facts of arguments brought forward, and thereby let President Wilson down lightly and without friction. Mr Hughes rtehtly argued against the neutralisation scheme, contending that the Powers holding one group "f the islands in "iitstion —those south of the line -should hold all, for each group was a stepping stone strategically connected, and he emphasised his oontontion forcibly by pointing out that the neutralisation of New Guinea was the same as the neutralisation of Australia, as any Great Power controlling New Guinea would control Australia and threaten her from a commanding position in the Pacific. Such a situation would never be tolerated by Australia or by New Zealand. It is quite possible ►that Mr Hughes had Japan in view when he adduced this argument, but that in no way lessens its weight as regards joint control, though it makes the solution of the future of the Caroline and Marshall Islands difficult in view of his persistent opposition to their annexation by Japan. The position that has to be faced is one that demands the exercise of calm and judicious statesmanship, as well as the recognition of the fact, by both New Zealand and Australia, that the alternative to the Allies' acquisitions in the Pnr-ific is neutralisation. It is high time that Australia regarded Japan as an ally and not as a menace. Both New Zealand and Australia are greatly interested in a favorable settlement of the Pacific problem, and this can only be effected by a frank recognition of Japan's good faith and the valuable aid given by her at sea during the war, in return for which she has a right to expect the good will of her brothers in arms and some form of compensation that will testify to the value of her srood work. Tf South Africa. Australia and New Zealand are to obtain the portions of the German colonies they desire, then Japan has a rieht to expect that her claims will be recognised. Mr Massey contends that joint control has always been an ignominious failure:-that being so he should take oare not to make that joint control inevitable.