AN EFFECTIVE REPLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13753, 4 February 1919, Page 5

AN EFFECTIVE REPLY.

(Received Tuesday, at 8.40 a.m.' ) PARIS, Sunday.

Mr Keith Murdoch, replying to President Wilson's protests against the British delegates talking to the press, vouches for the accuracy of the facts cabled, and also for the following facts: —Our position regarding the islands was clearly defined in resolutions passed by the Council on Thursday, setting out the whole position regarding the ex-German Colonies and Asia. The resolution, concerning Turkey was practically identical with that which the Imperial Cabinet framed on the Dominions' formula. It was called provisional because theoretically it contained a recommendation for the League of Nations, but it pledged the Council to its conclusions. It contains eight clauses, the British, draft having been somewhat condensed. It first declares that no colony can be returned to Germany, and puts on record Germany's cruel colonial administration and the policy of using her colonies principally as naval and military centers and recruiting , grounds for native armies. The resolution! declares that Armenia, Syria, Palestine and Mesopotamia must be severed from the Turkish Empire. Then it establishes a mandatory principle under tho League of Nations, which will bo forthwith established. The mandatory countries aro given general administration, with safeguards regarding natives and certain reservations, viz., open door for trade with, all peoples, and that military works and the creation of naval bases are prohibited. Then comes; the vital clause for Australia and South Africa.. It declares that the Council considers it advisable that the same laws and regulations should operate in Samoa, New Guinea, the Southern Islands, and South-West Africa as in a mandatory country, and provides that the safeguards for the nations should be maintained.