GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1919, Page 5

GERMAN COLONIES

DISCUSSION ON THEIR DISPOSAL, THE QUESTION OF INTERNATIONALISM. "TJSERE MUST BE MUTUAL CONCESSIONS" tteceired Feb. 2, 5£ p.m. London, Jan. 30 The Central News' Paris correspondent states that consideration of the disposal of the German colonies will be resumed on Thursday He can Authoritatively deny the statement that a grave situation has arisen. Although President Wilson's views differ materially from those of the other representatives, lie recognises they must make mutual concessions

The correspondent has sound authority for stating that a compromise, whewundir the colonies will be handed over to the nations claiming them, subject to the supervision of tha league of nations, was speedily reached, with the full agreement of British and Dominion representatives.

The correspondent learns from a reliable Japanese source that Japan will abide by any decision the conference reaches, provided the Caroline and Marshall Islands do ».ot revert to Germany, of whioh there is not the slightest fear Japan has no objection to the unconditional return of Kiaochau to China, and seeks no consideration for the sacrifice! entailed in taking the fortress

A statement has been issued to the press stating that comments on proceedings in regard to the disposal of German colonies and territories appearing in certtin papers were mischievous, inaccurate and misleading The above apparently refer* to statements quoted from Paris. The Daily Mail says the overseas representatives are reticent regarding the decisions. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. London, Jan 31.

The Daily News' Parte correspondent reports that the serious difficulties in regard to the settlement of colonial questions have been exaggerated. It is understood representatives of the Doininions accepted the view that their interests would be adequately protected if they were nominated as mandatory authorities under the league. Thus South Africa would become trustee for German South-West and South-East Africa; New Zealand for Samoa; and Australia for Pacific islands south of the equator It is understood Japan is prepared to apply the same principle to Kiaochau, which, under certain reservations, will revert to China. The ouly question remaining is tfcs destiny of the islands north of the equator, which Japan claim?. —Reuter. Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 30.

The Pall Mall Cau-Ue state* it is regrettable that the secrecy of the peace conference does not permit that the public be acquainted with the arguments regarding the ex-German colonies, particularly as some of the plans in regard to their disposal are bcth novel and complicated. The natural sequence of the war would be the transference of the German possessions to the nations which they represent The chief objection to President Wilson's proposal is that it offer* no security or permanence of mandate, because the league which gives can also take away This would be no special hardship if applied to undeveloped territories, which must for some years be a considerable charge upon the holders. The mandatory system may easily betray us Into a hopeless tangle of conflicting ri?hts and obligations.— Aus N.Z. Cable Assoc. Paris, Jan. 30. It is understood that the Dominion delegates see little hope of withstanding the principle of placing the colonies under international control. They decline to discuss the matter tor publication, but evidently view the situation Beriouslv This is especially true of the Australian delegates, who are inclined to believe that President Wilson overrated the Japanese danger to American interests. They are unable to credit the idea that American opinion will be deeply stirred if the agreement allowing Japan the Marshall and Caroline islands is allowed to Stand. An American victory on this point would probably result in an all-round application. Hence the Italian and French iK' gates are greatly perturbed. General liotha and General Smuts are equally determined as Mr. Hughes, fearing the effect on South African opinion if the Union is not given German South-West Africa.

Though some reports state that a decision has been reached, ethers say it is not final, and that a further session or sessions will be necessary. President Wilson's fifth point is being accepted as • basis. The difficulty is to find a formula applicable to the various colonies, according to local circumstances, particularly whero acquisition is necessary in the interests of national safety

The Daily Express states the idea advanced to-day is that the Powers now holding the German colonies should administer them until the league of nations is formed, after which thoy will receive the league's mandate, as international administrators ar« bound by the league's regulations concerning tariffs, the open door, ahd immigrants, in respect of all nations,

Mh Hughes is not inclined to accept this compromise Australia desires absolute sovereignty in Nevr Guinea, and is anxious to exclude the Japanese.

Mr. Mastey is more inclined to accept a compromise regarding Samoa. General Smuts is more ready to apply President Wilson's formula in Southwest Africa than is General Botha. The United Press' Paris correspondent says that President Wilson believes the league of nations plan will receive its death blow if Germany's colonies are divided among the Allies and annexed The President feels that the league must lettle the question of disposition of the eolonies by internationalisatiori. New York, Jan. 30.

The Sun editorially states that President Wilson's scheme for the control of ths German colonies seems a dream without a practical basis. Tie colonies must be used for the settlement of Germany's Indemnities. London, Jan. 30. The Exchange Telegraph's Paris correspondent says it is believed Mr Lloyd '■forgo favors President Wilsons prowi*:*ls regarding the colonies, which trie onfercnce will eventually adopt despite • renuous opposition.—Aim. N.Z. Cable Aasoc.

WILSON SCORES. BUT LLOYD GEORGE HOLDS TRUMP CARD. POSITION WELL EXPLAINED. Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m.

Paris, Jan. 31. Mr. Murdoch states that, such deep movements, thought, and shufflings of diplomacy as have marked the last four days' debate are inevitable. They must alfect importantly the trend of the world's affairs. Although president WilBon has won his main point, it was evident la9t night that his position has been seriously weakened. As a distinguished member of the council said during the last hour's debate, Mr. Lloyd George held the trump cards. H* did not play them, but gave President Wilson a peep, which seemed disturbing Mr Lloyd George's trumps consisted of the ability of Britain to lead the European alliance which will form its own league of nations, based not upon fantastic schemes for foreign supervision of territories strategically necessary for the young democracies, but upon the great principles and traditions of British government In other words, President Wilson learnt (hat if he insisted in dictating the exact form of tbj league of nations and all its settlements his league would not be formed During the debate a Dominion delegate said: "President Wilson, you are elected president of the United States, but you have not been elected president of the league of nations." The general effect of dragooning all the Powers into a general application of the mandate system has been to greatly strengthen the conservative conception of the league of nations. Europe gave in to President Wilson primarily because he seemed determined to make the nonacceptance of the mandate system into a crisis, and to return, charging the Allies with broach of faith in the nonobservance of his fourteen points. This charge might have been difficult to refute, and America, on such a charge, might have stood behind President Wil,'on. It has been made plain to President Wilson, however, that he has forced the Allies to insist that the league of nations is not given power to mischievous interfere witli the administration of such places as New Guinea and SouthWest Africa In other words, the league of nations scheme will be considerably weaker than wa3 hoped. President Wilson was yesterday compelled-to conceive this when he accepted the British formula providing that in the case of the south Pacific islands and South-West Africa the same laws should apply as in a mandatory country Its effect is to reduce the league's authority. Thus the league's mandate clauses necessarily mean an open door, and the league ceases to ftand preenim ntly powerful for genera! freedom under supernatior.al authority.—Au3. N.Z. Cable Assoc

VIEWS OF HUGHES AND MASSEY. GUARANTEE REQUIRED AGAINST ASIATICS Received Feb. 2, 11.40 p.rx Paris. Jan. 31. During the British Imperial Cabinet meeting, Mr. and Sir. Masscy urged the British u.'lcgates at the peace congress to pres° Australia's claims to the Pacific islands. They feel that if Australia is granted mandatory rights to the islands a guarantee should be given that the islands will not be overrun by Asiatic immigrants, the aim being to make the islands white. This does not mean that the representatives will give up their claims—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

COMPLETE CONTROL UNDER MANDATORY SYSTEM. Received Feb 2, 11.30 p.m. London, Feb. 1. It is understood that the mandatory system whereby the German colonics are administered will give t.l o administrutorr complete control, subject only to certain general provisions of the league of nations.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. NF.V ZEALAND TO CONTROL SAiIOA. Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Jan. 31 Mr. Eraser says that, rcph ing to a question, a delegate stated that whatever restrictions the Australian laws imposed on racial matters would apply equally to New Guinea. In a further reply to the questioner, asking wifether America was likely to be the mandatory Power over Samoa, the delegate said he had no doubt New Zealand would fill that position.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A NliW VIEW

Received Feb. 2, 11.30 p.m. New York, Jan 31 The New York Times' Paris correspondent points out that if President Wilson's plan to have the German colonies controlled by the league of nations through a designated nation is carried out, it would relieve ihe United States, Australia, and New Zealand from the embarrassment of having Japan gain the absolute control and ownership of the Marshall and Caroline islands. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

POSSIBILITY OF GERMAN REPOSSESSION Received Feb- 2, 11.40 pre. London. Jan. SO. The Globe says thai there is deep concern iiTid every alarm throughout the Empire, "by ihe threatened inleniatloilalisation of the 'Pacific Islands, and the possibility of the islands some day going back to their paTfiinony, as Germany is certain to have a place in the League of Nations, soor.ef or later.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asdoo

DIFFICULTIES OVER THE CARO LINES.

deceived Feb. 2, 11-56 p.m. New York. Jan. 30. The Tires, editorially, says that, the German colonic must not he returned to Germany- The voice of tlieij peoples would forbid that disposition The Carolines pTeseßi. difficulties of a national problem, involving international jealousies, clashing interests and ambitions. Australia and New Zealand need no lon?rei 'fear any interruption of their ambitions. President Wilson's plan to rute the colonies separated under the mandate of the League <>f Nations is novel, but not imprafitkaiile.—Aue.-N.2L Cable Asoca.