RACIAL EQUALITY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 7

RACIAL EQUALITY

JAPAN PRESSING THE QUESTION CRISIS FOR THE LEAGUE ATTITUDE OF DELEGATES By Teleuraph-PresE Association-Oonyright ' Paris, Marc 26. Mr. Keith Murdoch,' writing With regard lo Japan's efforts lo secure modifications in Hie Covenant dealing with racial equality, says the document, was specially brought lo Mr. Hughes aiid other Dominion representatives, but not uutil an agreement '•'had been.'reached concerning tho Paoifio mandates. This agreement was remarkably, and almost unexplninably, in favour of Japan; for, in spite of the intention of tho Council of Ten to restrict the. special clause of the mandate to South-West; Africa, NewGuinea, (ind Samoa, the agreement provided that Japan should havo the same umndato north of tho Equator.as Australia had to the south.

The Japanese asked Mr. Hughes to say what modifications would .pleaso him, but he and Sir Joseph Cook roiected the wholo proposal. The Australian attitude remains completely hostile to any insertion of tho racial question in the Covenant It is regarded as a smoke, screen" behind wliicli preparations for raising other questions may proceed. No doubt this is Japan's opportune moment. How the misunderstanding arose last week about their policy is not clear. It would certainly be unfair to regard the Japanese delegates as purposely misleading anybody. With legitimate diplomatic sense, they seized the right time. . • ,::• .;• , Tho League of Nations is struggling between life aud death. The necessity for im immediate peace, coupled with the American opposition, put President Wilson in the direst difficulties. Thus for tha first time during the Conference Japan is in a strong position. Her refusal lo join the League would probably destroy if. President Wilson .seems to sec no way out except to accede to Japan's request, aud France does not obiect. The newspapers describo the Japanese pleas' as natural,.-right, aild inevitable. Italy is indifferent. The British delegates would like to' find a formula upon which nil could .'agree. The South Africans believe that a formulae-could he reached.by. inserting in .the preamble ; tho words, "by tho recognition of the equality of. nations and the "just treatment of all their- nationals." Tho wholo difficulty hns arisen through the delay of the CouncU. during which a position evolved essentially differing from that of January. The leaders were suddenly compelled to realise that it had all been a mistake, and that even at the cost of considerable surrenders it was clear that an early peace must be achieved. JAPANESE- PROPOSAL MODIFIED. Paris, March 27. . The Japaneso continue to press for an amendment to the Covenant cf. the Lc-aguo of Nations to provide for tho equality of races. The original Japanese proposal, as modified, now calls for recognition of the equality of nations and the just treatment of all thou- nationals. Tho Australian delegates still obiect.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NOT IN THE COVENANT

AMENDMENTS OF JAPAN 1 AND AMERICA (llec. March 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, March 28. The United (States amendment concerning tho Monroe Doctrine and. tho Japanese racial amendment aro not included in tho covenant of. tho League of Nations sent to the drafting committee. —Renter. ' .'■'''■' AGREEMENT REGARDINGI THE COVENANT OBSTACLE TO "EARLY PEACE REMOVED, Paris, .March 27. The League of Nations Committee has reached a unanimous agreement regarding the Covenant. Tho Japanese wilt raise the question of racial equality at the Plenary Conference. , The agreement removes most of tnetrouble which was some.obstacle to an early peace—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE " MONRTE"AMENDMENT FORWARDED BY ME. TAFT. Washington, March 27. 'It has been disclosed that Mr. Taft forwarded tho "Monroe" amendment of the League Covenant to Paris,, and that President Wilson adopted'it with a, view vo its presentation to protect tho interest'; of the United .Statps.-Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. FATE OF GERIIAN COLONIES TO BK NOTIFIED IN DRAFT' 'J'HEATr. London, March 27. It is authoritatively announced that some mention of tho League of Nations; will'be made in tho first draft of tho. Peace 'i'rcntv, in order that Germany, mav be notified of the fate of her colu-nies.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHARGES OF DELAY REPLIED TO DELICATE ANIFcOMPLEX PROBLEMS. . London, 'March 27. Defending the Peace Conference against the charges of undue delay, a high authority declares that, except for tho unavoidable delay occasioned by President ■ Wilson's . return to America, .Mr. Lloyd Georgo's visit to England through the Labour doubles, and die shooting of M. Clomonceau. there has been absolutely no prolongation of the task. It was absolutely-essential to give the most careful. scrutiny to tho new boundaries, for by care in this respect Ihe seeds of future dissension might bo avoided. Thero was also a desire on tho part of certain .members to make tho Polish corridor as narrow as possible, as I hoy foresaw danger in doing what wiuld practically, sever East, from AVest Prussia. The "Big Four" wero endeavouring to arrive at- what Germuny could pav. -■•.■■ Tho public needed reminding of the gigantic and complex problems confrontine the Conference. Notwithstanding the ironical comments of the French newspapers in connection with the German cables, this was a delicate-question, requiring careful handling. These cables wore seized by Britain and .lapaii,' They had a considerable interest tu America, commercially and. strategically, rnd ranked i:cxt in importance to the seizure of (ho Gorman colonies.

II; should not be long before, the treaty was ready—possibly by April' 15. The speaker believed the Gornmns would do everything in their power to prevent Bolshevism. There. vrsis a point whore Ihe. Germans would weigh things in tho balance. The Germans would havo to decide whether it was belter to go in for a few vows of anarchy,'or. to shoulder tin; burden imposed by.-the Entente.— Aus..-N.Z. Cable Assn. SEAT OF THE LEAGUE SELECTION COMMITTEE APrOINTHJ). . . Paris, March '27. Genera! Smuts, liaron Makinu,'SignerOrlando, and Colonel House have, been appointed ;i committee to select the perluirneiit scat oi' the League.of Nations.— Aus.-X./, Cable Assn. INDEMNITIES. ANOISiE BOUNDARIES Paris, March 27. Mr. Tilnyil (.feorc, M. - Clemenceau, Signor Orlando, and President Wilson have considered the Rhine boundaries quoftiou.' ~..'"'

It is understood that the indemnities question has been generally agreed upon. —Aus.-N./i. Ciiblo Assn. GERMANY'S DEBTS'AND STATE PROPERTY Paris, March 27. A financial sab co.mmrtteo has been appointed to deal, with Germany's debts, German' Slato property, and tho order in which obligations shall be imposeil by tho Allies on Germany.—A.us.-N.Z.Cablo Assn. GERMAN SIIIPsIeAVE FOR ENGLAND London, March.27. Thirty-eight German ships . havo left German ports lor Liverpool.under British control'. Tho larger ships will be used to repatriate Australian and American troons. _Mve large Gorman steamers have arrived at. Cowes. Aniericans are taking the places of tho German crews.—Aus.Is.'/,. Cables Assn. PARTIAL REMOVATOF BLOCKADE LIMITATION OF GERMAN EXPORTS. ~. . New York, March 20. The Paris correspondent, of.the "New York World" states that under the arrangeraents i for the partial' removal of tho.ilnockado of Germanjy.exports from Germany will be divided into, two-groups, consisting of products jjio export of which must bo limited to those which will be free from-restrictions. Secnri ties, gold, and silver cannot bo. exported nt : present.'■'"The exportation of dyes, coal, and coke products, timber,'drugs, potash, and other raw materials ;will ba permitted in limited quantities, on which priority rights, regarding price and deliverv "will be accorded by tho Allies,—Aus.N. 7, .Cablo Assn.

ENEMY MUST ADMIT HIS DEFEAT. (Reo. Maroh 28, 11.20 p.m.) London, March 28. In tho House at Commons Sir Auckland Gcddes (Minister for Reconstruction) emphasised tho view that if general restrictions wore removed Britain would bo flooded with goods not required for national life. Ho-hoped tho blockado vfould be removed quickly.'. It would bo removed wheri : ' tho ' beaten enemy admitted his defeat-in-writing.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . NEW THROUGHTRAIN-ROBTE CONSIDERED BY WATERWAYS COMMISSION. Paris, Maroh 27, Tiio Waterways Commission has conHidered a new through train-routo from Paris to Rome, tho Danube,! Laibaoh, Bolßradei and Odessa, with other bran, ches to Athens and Constantinople — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . . ..