DISPOSAL OF ENEMY TERRITORY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 113, 6 February 1919, Page 5

DISPOSAL OF ENEMY TERRITORY

PRINCIPLE OF TRUSTEE CONTROL A SATISFACTORY COMPROMISE TURKISH MISGOVERNMENT OF SUBJECT RACES By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Kec. February 5, 11.30 p.m.) London, February 4. Official.—The provisional agreement in respect to the disposal of enemy territory in the Pacific and the Middle East generally is regarded as a satisfactory compromise in tho circumstances. The British overseas delegates were not hostile to tlio principle of trustee control under the League of Nations, but opposed to a blind committal of their vital interests to unknown machinery, also to the principle of tho "open door" to all the nations, possibly including ultimately our present enemies. This view was widely endorsed by prominent British and French authorities, and Press opinion intimato with tho real facts of tho proposals and discussions. It can be fairly claimed that the dominions'' delegates secured prudent safeguards and concessions compared with tho original proposals. The position now is that the Allied and Associated Powers are absolutely opposed to tho restoration of the German colonies to Germany, in order to remove the menace to the freedom and security of all nations.

Further, regarding the Turkish territory, owing to tho historic misgovernnient of subject peoples and Uie terrible massacres in recent years, the Allies agreed that Armenia, Syria, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Arabia should be completely severed from the Turkish Empire., and that the tucelago of 6ucb peoples should be entrusted to advanced nations, who, because of their resources, experience, and position, are best ablo to undertake the responsibility of the trust on behalf of the League of Nations until tho subject peoples are capablo of standing alono under the stress of modern conditions.

Then, as regards Qe.utral Africa,, conditions will bo provided guaranteeing the prohibition of abuses such as the slave trade, arms and liquor traffic, and, the militarising of the natives, except for police and defenco. A special arrangement was made in respect to SouthWest Africa, Now Guinea, and Samoa, which will be administered in trust. There-is 1 one common principle of the mandatory control, but these colonics will lie under the laws of their mandatory Slates or trustees, who will be respectively South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. But as regards the other Gorman colonies, France will probably accept a mandate for Togoland and tho Cameroons, and Britain or India for East Africa. No mandatories h'avo been selected for Turkish territories, but it is likely that Brjtain will exercise the trust in the territories her forces now occupy*, with France in Northern Syria, Africa, and in Armenia, but the whole question of the mandatories has yet to be decided.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE MANDATORY PRINCIPLE

SETTLEMENT IN LONDON DENIED

BY MR. HUGHES. (Rec. February 5, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 3. The-Paris correspondent of the Central Nows Agency interviewed Mr. Hughes on the statement that, tho Imperial Cabinet, iu the middle of December, unanimously agreed to the acceptance of the principle of the mandatory system. Mr. Hughes expressed amazement at the statement, declaring that no decision was reached until the question was forced on the Imperial Cabinet last week, when he specifically withheld his assent.-r-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

MR. MASSEY NOT INFORMED OF A

DECISION. (Rec. February 5, 8 p.m.) Paris, February 3. Mr; Hughes declares that evidence in his possession proves the statement that the mandatory was settled in London to be untrue. Ho intends to inquire into the matter further, because the statement comes from a source which cannot bo ignored, and seems to suggest that ho was a party to the settlement. Mr. Massey.is unable to say anything on the matter, as if a decision was como to it was before his arrival. He was not informed of any such conclusion— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA ANDTHEJAMOAN GROUP NO POWER ALLOWED TO DO WHAT GERMANY DID. Paris, February 3. Mr. Keith Murdoch writes-. President Wilson seldom gives peeps at any of tho practical details in. his mind; but he gave one during the Council's discussion on tho colonies.' Turning towards Mr. Massey, President Wilson said: "There is another Power in the Samoan Group, and that Power is America. Be 6ure that within the League of Nations America will see that no Power does what Germany did in such places."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE NEAR EASTERN COUNTRIES SPONSORSHIP NOT DESIRED BY . AMERICA OR ENGLAND. Paris, February 3. Mr. 'A'. J. Fraser writes: Notwithstanding strong European pressure, President Wilson hesitates to undertake ft share in the sponsorship in the Near Eastern countries. It is reported that England wants America to take over Palestine, and that America is equally anxious that England should assume tho. task—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUMANIA TO ADWTER DOBRUJA (R«c. February (i, 1.10 a.m.) Paris, February 4. Mr. A. J. Fraser states that the Powers have authorised Rumania to administer the Dobi'uja.—Aus.-N'.Z. Cable Assn.