DISCRETIONARY POWER OF THE MANDATORY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 111, 4 February 1919, Page 5

DISCRETIONARY POWER OF THE MANDATORY

.Paris, February 1. Mr. A. J. Eraser reports:—"Tho Coun'cil was mainly engaged to-day in the discussion of Transylvania. "Mandatory territory is recognised to be tho special concern of the.League of Nations, which will be responsible-for see'ing tha.fc the standards of colonial administration now prevalent among the most advanced Powers, are observed throughout all the territories within the mandatory system, subject, however, to the conditions of the mandate. ' Tho Mandatory Power will'exercise ite own discretion as to the management and development of the territory under its control; The question as to whether this principle should be adopted 'was discussed by the British Imperial Cabinet in London about the, middle' of December. It was 'then unanimously agreed that the British delegates. to the Peaco Conference should be authorised to accept the principle with respect •to all territories the peoples of which, might be entrusted with the 6afe-keeping of the British Em'pire, subject to the safeguarding of tho special interests of South Africa, Australia, mid New Zealand in tho territories adjacent to those dominions.

"It is understood. that the modification of President Wilson's plan include non-interference with the established policy of tho coifiitry undertaking trusteeship being • imposed upon the conquered territory coming within its control."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CRITICISM OF AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE

London, January 31. Opinion in radical circles regarding Australia's attitude to the Pacific islands is voicpd in articles in the ''Daily News" and "Manchester Guardian." The "Daily News" publishes a'vitriolic attack on Mr. Hughes. Under the heading "A Puhlio Danger," it says: "Doubtless Mr. Hughes is acting under Mr. Watt's instructions, but he is not bound to give Australia's claims to the newspaper's in the form,of an inflammatory manifesto. After the' defeat of his protection crusade Mr. Hughes sank into, obscurity. Is ho now to be permitted to emerge in order to trouble tho peace of the world? Have wo got rid of the Kaiser in order to be saddled with Mr. Hughes?" The "Manchester Guardian" substitutes, argument for its' contemporary's, invective, and asks: "Since there jb no question of the colonies being restored to Germany, is it essential to the Dominions that they should be severally given full possession? Such a policy is likely to breed jealousy, dislike, and conflict. The claim' of any nation to seized territories with populations is essentially im-moral."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MR. HUGHES UPHOLDING AUSTRALIA'S RIGHTS; (Rec. February 3, 8.20 p.m.)

Paris, February 1. It is stated that it was enly under the pressure of the entire British delegation that Mr. Hughes consented to President Wilson's plan for the administra-, turn of the German colonies. Mr. llunies is a rough-ainkeady political lender, and calls a spade a spade. He upheld what ho considered to be Australia's rights, and was never really convinced, though he was abandoned by all his colleagues. Japan saw the uselessncss of opposing tho propositions long before'the Australians expressed a willingness to compromise. It was largely through General Smuts's efforts that Mr. Hughes gave in, the atmosphere of the conference being anything buOpleasant at times.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESIDENT WILSON ADMITS AUSTRALIA'S CLAIMS. London, February l._ The United Press Agency in Paris states here feel that We.

sident Wilson has failed distinguish between the measures essential for Australia's safety and petty territorial' ambitions. President Wilson .during a Jong conversation with Mr. Hughes admitted Australia's economic and political claims to the German colonies, but would not change his views. One Australian delegate, inferring to this conversation, 6aid: "I am convinced that if ours, was tho only case President AVilson would have been with us;"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY'S ALARM. Sydney, February 3. The Labour Party lias sent a cable message to (President : Wilson stating that the Labour movement in Australia views with ala&i any departure from its expressed opinion .that the captured territory in the Pacific should be placed under the control of the League of Nations—Press Assn. , FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC COMPETITION BETWEEN WHITE. AND YELLOW RACES. London', February 1. The "Daily Express" states that the future of the Pacific rais.es the whole questios of economic competition 'between the white and the yellow races, _in which America is equally interested with Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile Japan is lying low, but she is certain to demand every political and economic advantage under the Fourteen Points. It i is no exaggeration to say that this question is.severely testing the idea of a real League.of Nations, and the discussions must have an important bearing on the coming European territorial rearrange-ments.vAus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■

BENEFICENT AUSTRALIAN RULE. ' New York, February 1. The "New York Herald," in an editorial, says:—lt must be remembered that New Guinea.and'the Bismarck Archipelago for the past four years have been administered by the Australian Government.- During this period the peoples of these islands have settled down peacefully and contentedly ,to Australian rule. The internationalisation of these islands would be difficult, and might be unjust both to Australia and the places dis-puted—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN DELEGATES' DEMANDS

, Paris, January 31. Mr. A.. J. Fraser writes :-The trusteeship in the sense that tho League of 'Nations may review two years, hence the. conditions of the conquered territories. ' Australia's. claim for the fee simple of New Guinea is considered the strongest among all the colonial claims. . Thus other .claimants '.to quered territories will be glad to allow Australia to put. up the first fight. The American delegates demanded, first, a real League of Nations.; secondly, the inviolability of the armistice; and, third, the settlement of each national claim on principles applicable to all the ' others. The Australian delegates viewed America's attitude as taking an undue advantage of her strength. .While willing to regnrd President Wilson' as working for a principle, yet they are convinced that he had in mind the necessity of reassuring the American people against Japan. —Aus.-N.Z. Ca.blo Assn. .

AN HISTORIC DEBATE "LEAGUE,OF NATIONS NOT A PLATONIC AFFAIR,'.' (Eec. February 3, 7.15 p.m.)

London, January 31. The "Daily Chronicle" states: "The debate whereby satisfactory provisional arrangements were reached for dealing, with the German colonies and occupied territory in Turkey and Asia will one day be recognised as tho most dramatic episode in modern political history. Only the broad results of tho consultations of the authors of this decision can yet be published, and therefore many inacciirato reports aro current. Nevertheless it is now known that President Wilson's plan 'has. brought a form of Heaven to earth, and the League of. Nations will not bo a platonic like Tho Hague Tribunal. This 'is chiefly duo to President Wilson's devotion and tho liberal outlook of the British Imperial Cabinet. Thus ownership of dorelict estates by the League of Nations has been dismissed, and a graduated guardianship accepted. Mr. Hughes retained his scruples to the last."—lus.-N.2i. Cable Assn.