DOMINION ENVOYS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 8

DOMINION ENVOYS

LETTER FROM SIR JOSEPH WARD MANDATE CONTROL An interesting letter regarding tho Peaco Conference and kindred matters has been received from Sir Joseph Ward by the Hon. W. D. S. Macdonhld. The text of, tho letter is as follows:— ■ Wo have been hero for ten days now, attending tho Peaco Conference. It is a great organisation, there being representatives from practically all Iho Continental countries, excepting those of the enemy, and also from America, China, Japan, .Brazil, and Siam.

As von know, difficulties arose after fur arrival here in connection with the number of delegates to represent New Zealand. Tho Conference decided, against tho representations of tho British Government, Hint New Zealand was to have ono delegate only. It was somewhat disconcerting, but was got over by Mr. Lloyd Gcorgo appointing me to ono of the positions on the British Delegation, that'of M:\ Bonnr Law, whoso duties had taken him to England! and who is not expected to bo back in Paris until probably the very end of the Conference; so I nm in the position cf being a British delegate instead of a New Zealand tnn. That has met the difficulty in a very satisfactory way. In _ addition to being a member of the British War Cabinet, I am a member of the British Delegation, and attend all their meetings from clay to day, whore every matter connected with tho British Empire, aud, indeed, with all the countries that have been upon our sidu against the enemy are dealt with, so in this respect ono has nothing of which to complain.

The whole of the questions coming before the Conference are exceedingly complicated. There are so many different races representing the various countries, and the special conditions of each aro so jealously watched that the straight-ening-out process is a slow one, but I nm of the opinion that it will bo finally effective. '

The President of the United States of America occupies a somewhat unique position. It is the first timo that country has had any say in connection with European politics ■or European wars. Its white population, said to be 101 millions, is so large that it gives the President, who occupies a position superior to that of the Premiers of other countries, a standing that is hardly instified; in other words, if Franco had its President there .instead of its Premier, it would bo an analogous position, though the President of France is not invested with anything like the same power that tho President of America is; and I think for that reason the President occupies a status which is rather unfair to mon who are the direct responsible heads of the Governments of iho other countries represented.

There can, however, bo no doubt that, as the United States, though coming in lore, was a most important factor in helping to win the wir. full recognition to that country through its President and those associated with him lias to bo be conceded, and conceded gracefully. The oversea dominions- were brought into matters early in dealing with the former German colonies, and, as you will have learned by cable, the British Delegation at a meeting about a week ago finally agreed that the mandatory •sislem was to be applied to them. Austral in does not gel; Hip ownership of New Guinea nor New Zealand the ownership of .Samoa, but under the mnndalory systcm we get as near to ownership in practice as. possible. Australia and New Zonlnnd will control New Guinea and Samoa respectively. Our laws will apply to Snmon, including Ihoso affecting ini iff and immigration. The same system will .inply to the Japanese in connection with the Marshall Islands. They, instead of being the owners, will be the mandatory Power that will eoii' trol and govern Ihe islands.

Ifc was quite evident, in view of the stand taken upon the question of the mandatory system bv one of the great Powers, that it would never havo done to have gone on indefinitely resisting what is regarded by those who hold to the view of the mandnlory strongly as a necessary basis iinon which peace should be finally signed, and as a preventative to the occurrence of future wars. It is understood that this system will render unnecessary any forlilicnlions being established at the' Marshall Islands, New Guinea, or Somoa. as they will really, from the standpoint of war. be under the control of the T.eneue of Nations; and it is honed by all the reiuesentalives at the Conference that a League of Nations, which was assented to at the Plemiry Conference, which Mr. Massev and T attended, will be worked out on such terms and conditions that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for « great war to occur in the future. The fact that the five great Powers-Great Britain, the United States of. America, Prance, Italy, and Japan—with the smaller Powers that have bee-i upon our side during the war. and in all. probability the neutrals as well, are goimr into the League should ensure the world being nreserved against great wars in the years to come. At all events there is ono thing self-evident: that is, if the whole of the oversea dominions had stood out, they would have done so alone. :

Looking at the matter dispassionately, and taking a broad view, I think in the circumshnces, and especially as we could not attain what we wanted—the ownership of the German oolnnios which, the different parts of (he Empire had taken—we have got the host arrangement .possible, and one that should work out. s.itisfaetorilT to iho peoples concerned. One tiling is certain: Germany will not get back her former possessions either now or in the years to come, and the fact that e. combination of Powers agrees to be responsible for their preservation puis that aspect of the matter bevond all doubt. It is very difficult to say how long tho Conference will last, but, considering the conflicting interests, the number of races concerned and the problems that have to be solved, T should not. bo surprised if if lasted until the middle of June, and possibly later. "With kind regards to you and my other colleagues. /