THE PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 108, 31 January 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CONGRESS

REPRESENTATION OF NEW ZEALAND SATISFACTORY ADJUSTMENT CONTROL OF GERMAN COLONIES MR. MASSEY PRESENTS THE SAMOAN CASE ■ By Teleera-iiK-Prees Aesociation-Copyright (Rec. January 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 23. Official.—The position with regard to New Zealand's representation has been satisfactorily adjusted. The matter was considered on Thursday at an important meeting of the British delegation, which is. practically the Imperial War Cabinet, Mr. Massey nnd Sir Joseph Ward attending as members. New Zealand's position was fully explained, with, the' result that Sir Joseph Ward was appointed to act as a member of the British delegation on every possible occasion. Thus both Ministers will attend meetings of the Allied Congress as from Saturday. They will also attend all meetings »f tho British delegation at which all matters aflVctinjr the Empire's interests will lie considered for submission to the main conference. The organisation and procedure of the conference represent colossal machinery for dealing with unprecedented problems. There is, firstly, the great Allied Conference, at which duly accredited representatives of the Allied nations attend. The conference meantime will probably meet oq Saturdays for decisive business. Then there is the deliberative council, comprising President Wilson and' the Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers of the five Great Powers. This council meets almost daily privately, and is responsible for the preparation of busines pre--liminary to submission to the conference. On Thursday there is the British delegation of the Imperial War Cabinet, and frequently a meeting to consider matters vitally concerning the Empire's interests. Finally, there are numerous select commissions consisting of representatives to consider and report on , technical subjects and many of the initial difficulties which have to be overcome. London, January 29. The main subject for consideration before the ouncil of the Great Powere meantime ie the disposal of the Gernian colonies and the claims of the respective British Dominions. ■ The principal issue turns upon the system of future control, especially whether tho control should be internationalised under the League of Nations, with one nation acting as a mandatory. There hns been Keen dissatisfaction over the fact that only one delegate from each Dominion is allowed to present its case. . This- is generally surprising, since'the Ministerial delegates iiv. moit cases were jointly concerned, in the enterprise of capturing the German colonies. It is understood that the delegates have submitted a strong case. Mr. Massey presented the case for NewZealand in respect to Samoa, and emphasised, .firstly, the virility, and enterprise of New Zealand, which was destined, he believed, to be as useful to humanity in the Southern as the United Kingdom has been to humanity in the Northern Hemisphere. He recounted Soinoa's unhappy history since :the 'seventies and the -unsatisfactory results of the Triple Protectorate. Germany had been allowed to establish great trading stations all over the.Pacific; aiso energetic financial and commercial oompanies and a strong naval squadron and powerful wireless Station. This wn6 the position facing New Zealand when the war broke out. Hβ contrasted the treatment of the Samo.ans with the treatment of the New Zealand Natives, who .had been treated eqpally with other citizens. The Maoris were merging into the European population. New Zealand, immediately on the declaration of war, responded to the request to sond a military expedition to Samoa, whose harbours were offering shelter to raiders on New Zealand commerce. Samoa, in fact, was the headquarters of the German fleet in the Pacific. Two thousand New Zealanders within ■ ten days of the outbreak of war accepted the great risk, and with the aid of the Australian Dreadnought and a French cruiser secured the surrender of German Samoa, and since had successfully maintained the ' occupation acceptably to the native, population of 35,000. The Prime Minister also explained New Zealand's menace from the German squadron in the Pacific, and cited the Coronol battle, in which the British cruisers ivero oiltranged.' It was, only the presence of the Australia tha.t prevented a German bombardment of New Zealand coastal towns and extensive destruction of New Zealand shipping, especially ships conveying foodstuffs to Britain, i Nevertheless the Germans got raiders into the Pacific, which sank sjiips and laid many mines. New Zealand was endeavouring, not unsuccessfully, to build up a British nation in tho Pacific, and did not want to be again confronted with a menace similar to that of the past. Joint control always and everywhere had been an ignominous failure.. What a native relied on, required, .and wanted was opportunity to develop in the security of a generous, practical control, such as that which had inspired the spontaneous loyalty and substantial sacrifices of the Maoris and South Sea Isianders, who had fought equally nobly with the Allies' armies and acquitted themselves like men. New Zealand's administration of Samoa had not been a war experiment, but simply an extension of a settled and successful policy as regards the treatment of tho native race. Mir. Massey strongly urged, for tho sako of all the peoples in the South Pacific, that Samoa shouid remain under British control.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ■ ■ ■

ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLONIES PRESIDENT-"WILSON'S PLAN. London, January 28. The fate of Germany's colonies has become the leading topic, and the final decision of the conference is awaited ] with the greatest interest. ■ The newspapers are giving considerable space to the caso of Australia and New Zealand for intention. It is mentioned that when President Wilson inquired how much importance Australia attached to keeping New Guinea, Mr. Hughes was able forthwith to produce Mr. Watt's telegram showing that Australian opinion was thoroughly aroused, leaving no doubt that Australia viewed the prospect of the ismiids reverting to Gernifiny in any shape or form with the gratest misgiving nnd disappointment. One of the reasons given /or President Wilson's hesitation in adopting the Australian and New Zealand standpoint is that he sees something inconsistent between allowing the Empire to retain German possessions and allowing subject populations a voice in deciding their own destiny. It is understood that President Wilson's plan contemplates the appointment of single Powers as mandatories of the Peace League to undertake the administration of. the colonies, for which they would be responsible to the league. The mandatory Powers vromd not bo allowed to exploit the colonies unless the league gives its sanction. It is understood that the United States has offered to control Turkey, bu/t no decisions of any character have been reached yet,—Aus.-N.Z. Ca'ble Aesn, the domTnloTs , claims SUBMITTED BEFORE SUPREME • COUNCIL. Paris, January 28. During the discussion on the German colonies at the Supremo Council, Mr. Hughes, Qeneral Botha, and Mr, Mae.sey submitted the claims of the respective Dominions, namely, New Guinea for Australia, Samoa for New' Zealand, and South-West Africa for the Union. The question of the Mure of South-West Africa, Togoiaud, and the Cameroon? was discussed. President Wilson explained his personal theory regarding the settlement of the. colonial jjuestions,. according, to which

the League of Nations would .entrust the administration of these territories to mandatory States. . • ■ The Chinese delegates were especially summoned to discuss the interests of China.—Reuter.

APPRECIATION OP MR, HUGHES'S ATTITUDE. London, January 27. At the Australian and New Zealand luncheon on Australia Day, Colonel fair James Barrett moved: "That this representative meeting of Australians expresses its appreciation of Mr. Hughes s attitude in voicing at the Peace Conference the Australian opinion regarding the future of the Pacific Islands, that it is essential that the former enemy possessions captured by the Australian forces shall for the future safety ot the Commonwealth and the Dominion be placed effectively within their control; if necessary under a luanJute from the League of Nation?." The motion was carried unanimously. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMANY'S LACk'oF COLONISING INSTINCT. New York, January 28. The New York . "Evening Tribune' says editorially: "Germany lacks the colonising instinct. She has neither mercy nor suavity. It will be no Teal injury to dispossess Germany of the colonics she has misused, and humane consideration of the natives subjected to her vine vetoes any suggestion th.it she should be allowed to resume her sinister colonial experiment."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

INTERNATIOMUSATION PROPOSAL

APPREHENSION REGARDING JAPAN'S EXPANSION.

Paris, January 28. President Wilson's predilection for the internationa.lisation of the German colonies is based rather upon Japan's progress'across the Pacific than upon a desire to thwart the British acquisition of the islands. The feeling exists i.hat Britain made a secret agreement with Japan in 1916, bv which the latter is to have possession ojr the Marshall- and Caroline Isiande, which cwfines Japan's inlluence north of the Equator. The full weight of the British delegation is behind the overseas claims. The whole question will be settled without reference to the Plenary Conference. While Britain has agreed upon the overseas demands, she is willing to accept the principle of the mandatory over Togoland, East Africa, and the Cameroons, though other nation?, notably Portugal and France, do not agree.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

London, January 28. It is understood that President Wilwn realises that public opinion in Great Britain and the Dominion? is fully formed on the subject of the disposal of tho German colonies. He wishes to discover a formula embodying the Empire's claims and his own principles. President Wilson also recognises, that he cannot ignore American opinion with regard to Japan. America will jji'obabiy view Japanß expansion .in .the Pacific with apprehension. He would prefer a solution which would not affect American susceptibilities, without disappointing the Dominions or discriminating ngainst Japan. He has therefore suggested the administration of the'islands under the League of Nations. That accounts for last night's meeting of the British Empire delegates, the object of which was to furnish a reply to President Wilson's proposition. It is believed that President Wilson will accept tho Dominions' standpoint.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ACQUI-ESCENCirbF POWERS REPORTED. New York, January 29. Mr. Lawrence, Paris correspondent of the New York "Evening Post," understands that President Wiison lias obtained the acquiescence of the Powers to the principle of the internationalisation of the Gorman colonies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.