CONTROL OF GERMANY'S COLONIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 112, 5 February 1919, Page 5

CONTROL OF GERMANY'S COLONIES

ACCURACY OF REPORTS VOUCHED FOR • THE COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION NO COLONY TO BE RETURNED TO GERMANY By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Paris, February 2. Mr. Keith Murdoch, replying to President Wilson s protests against the British delegates talking to the Press repre. eentatives, vouches for the accuracy of the facts cabled, and.also for the follow, ing facte:—Our position regarding the islands was clearly defined in the resolutions passed by the council on Thursday, setting out the whole decision regarding the ex-German colonies and Asiatic Turkey. _ Tho resolution was practically identical with that which the Imperial Cabinet framed on the formula of the dominion delegates, and was called provisional because theoretically it contains a recommendation for the League of Nations, but it pledged the council to its conclusions. The resolution contains eight clauses, the British draft of ten clauses having been somewhat condensed. It first declares that do colony can be returned to Germany, and puts on record , the oruelty of Germany's colonial administration and her policy of using the colonies principally as military naval centres and recruiting grounds for native armies. The , resolution declares that Armenia, Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia must bo severed from the Turkish Empire, and-it then establishes tho mandatory principle under the League of Nations, which will .bo established forthwith: . The mandatory countries are given general administration, with safeguards regarding natives and reservations providing.for tho open door for trade of all peoples, and for the prohibition o'f military -works and tho creation of naval bases. Then comes the vital clause for Australia and South Africa, it' declares that the council oonaidors it advisable that tho same laws and regulations ehould operate in Samoa, New Guinea, the 'Southern Islands, and SouthWest, Africa as in the mandatory coun-' try, at the mandatory country's discretion, provided the safeguards for the natives are maintained.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i ' .

A DELEGATE'S INDISCRETION. Paris, February 2. ■ The recent misleading statements concerning the German colonics emanated from a delegate who gave a dinner to certain journalists, and imparted dotails which conveyed a wrong and mischievous impression. " The incident created a painful scene at the following day's sitting, nearly upsetting the whole Conference. It has been intimated that if there is a repetition it will be impossible to continue the Conference, and the world's peace may be jeopardised. Newspaper correspondents are urgently entreated to realise their responsibilities.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DOMINIONS DISSATISFIED

HOPE TO OBTAIN FUETHEE POWEB'

CK«c. February i, 11.25 p.m.)

New York, February 2... The "World's" Paris correspondent states:—"Australia, South Africa,' and New Zealand aro dissatisfied with the settlement of the disposition of the German colonies. ; Although they have obtained the right to act ae mandatory Powers in the administration of the colonies, the dominions hope to obtain further powers on the ground that they have already successfully administered the colonies. It soems probable that Australia will ask the Trig five' for the right to apply its own administration to New Guinea, in order to safeguard the Commonwealth from the danger of cheap Asiatic Jabour immigration."—Aus.-N.Z Cable Afsn.

MR. HUGHES NOT VANQUISHED

■SOLUTION NOT YET FOUND.

' ' , Pa ris > February 2. Mr. Hughes still refuses to admit himself vanquished. Interviewed by the Matin," lie said:—"The council has declared that a satisfactory solution has been found. It is wrong. There has been no solution, but a reference to a body which does not exist. We" demand to know the conditions of our occupation of these islands. It is against all precepts of law that o. Court should refer an appellant to another tribunal which has not been established, and the' composition of which is r,ot' known. I refuse to accept the position." . Mr. Hugh.es added a comparison of the Australian and American entries into the war. The Australian dead were more numerous than the American dead, and Australia recognised the great cause at the first moment, and nofretithe eleventh hour.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Pans, February 2. The 'Matin" interviewed Mr. Hughes with regard to the statement that the mandatory scheme was agreed upon in London in December. Mr. Hughes said he was amazed. He did not agree to the mandatory scheme until it was forced upon him laet weck.-r-Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Assn.

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

SECURITY ASKED FOR BY AUSTRALIA.

(Rec. February i, 7.50 p.m.) ~ _ Paris, February 2. Mr. Hughes, :n an interview, said, relative to the Pacini Islands:-"The security we ask is certainly as vital to us as that which Franca asks along tho Rhine frontier. . We have not 'a League of Nations now sitting qualified to dispose of the situation. Instead, we are asked to turn over the former German colonies to a league which is not yof lormed. We must have control over the territories to assure the application of Australia s laws, particularly that Australia s national policy of a "'white' Australia can be maintained."-4ue.-N Z Cable Assn. MR. MASSEY SAYS" THE AGREEMENT IS FINAL. „ , r Paris, February 2. , f Jr ; Massey states that he- is quite ndent that the arrangement will become permanent. The clearest understanding prevails. The agreement is final, any"-' how, as cabled, and bears the formal approval and acceptance by all the Great Powors.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, February 2. It is authoritatively stated that the mandatory system is especially acceptable to the British Empire, because the conditions iiro practically identical with those vvhich Britain imposes upon herself in regard to her colonies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DR. SOLF HOPEsIor" RESTORATION DENIES CHARGES OF ILL-TREAT-MENT OF NATIVES. New York, February 2. Tho "New York Times" correspondent in ; Berlin interviewed' Dr. Solf, who said: ;-"I am not as hopeless as most people in Germany regarding the apparent determination of the Allies to deprive us of all- our colonies. As a. Peace Congress delegate I hope to bo ablo to convince the Allies of the necessity for restoring some, of the colonies to Germany. President Wilson lids expressed his honest intention lo consider Germany's cqloniiil needs, but he has found opposition in Britain nnd France. Tho Allies four that fj'erinaiiy might uso tho colonies and island ns Ij-lxint bases for future conliicL. This is absurd, because Germany has unconditionally accented President Wilson's idea, of tho League of Nations and disarmament. The charges that Germany ill-treated the natives in Africa are Germany will publish:, a White Book disproving the allegation." i —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn,