LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14023, 28 March 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

.MODIFICATIONS TO COVENANT.., JAPANESE EFFORT. AUSTRALIAN HOSTILITY. MR WILSON’S DIFFICULTIES. (United Service.) Received March 28. 12.40 a.m. PARIS, March 2G. Mr Murdoch writes, regarding 1 Japan’s efforts to secure modifications of the covenant dealing with racial equality, that the document waif'specially brought to Mr Hughes and other Dominion representatives',"Pibut not until an agreement had heen'retched concerning the Pacific mandates. This agreement was remarkably’,.’and almost unexplainable in favour of Japan, for despite the Council of Ten’s intention to restrict the special" clause in the mandate to South-west xtfrica. New Guinea and Samoa, the agreement provided that Japan should haver the same mandate north of the Equator as Australasia in the south. The Japanese asked Mr Hughes to say what modifications would please him, but he and Mr Cook rejected the whole proposal. The Australian attitude remains completely hostile to any insertion to recall the question in the covenant. It is regarded as a smoke screen behind which preparations for raising other questions may proceed. No doubt this is Japan’s opportune moment. How the misunderstanding arose last week about their policy .s not clear. It certainly would be unfair to regard the Japanese delegates as supposedly misleading. Anybody with legitimate diplomatic sense will admit they seized the right time. The League of Nations is struggling between the life and death necessity for immediate peace coupled with America’s opposition. This has put Mr Wilson into the direst difficulties. Thus for the first time during the Conference, Japan is in a strong position, for her refusal to join the League would probably destroy it. Mr Wilson seems to see no way out, except to accede to Japan’s request. France does not object. The newspapers describe the Japanese plans as natural, right, and inevitable. Italy is indifferent, and the British**; delegates would like to find a formula upon which all can agree. The South Africans believe that such a formula can be reached by inserting in the preamble the words, “By the. recognition of the equality of nations and the just treatment of all their nationals.” The whole difficulty has arisen through the Council’s delay, during which a position evolved essentially differing from the position in January. The leaders are suddenly compelled to realize that it has all been a mistake, and even at the cost of considerable surrenders it is clear that an early peace must be" achieved.