LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

•PRESIDENT -WILSON'S ARGUMENTOAJJSE OF JUSTICE AND ! ' PEACE. ; GUARANTEE OP WORLD'S PEACE SOUGH'S. ■ Received January 30, 2-25 p.m. New York, Jan. 28, Ihe text of President Wilson's speech at the opening discussion on the question of the League of Nations urges the-necessity for such a league, not only for present Settlements but for -the maintenance of such settlements. Many Of the present decisions need alteration in somo degree, but it is necessary to <iet up machinery whereby the work of the conference can subsequently 1m jrendored complete. They are representatives not of the Governments but of ■'the- peoples, and must satisfy the opinion of mankind, and make it unnecessary for people who have borne tj>e •bur.len of the war again to make such sacrifices.

Referring to the utilisation of scientific discoveries for war destruction, the President said that only watchful and continuous corporation can see to it that science as well as armed men are kept within the harness of civilisation. In entering the war, the United States never thought for a moment she was intervening in the politics of Kurope, Asia, or any part of the world. Her thought was that .ill vhe world had become conscious that there was a single cause of justice and liberty for men of every kind and place. The United Statc-s would feel its part in the war played in vain if there ensued upon it u number of European settlements, and would feel she could not participate in guaranteeing these settlements unless that guarantee involved continuous guarantee of the world's pence, and a continuous watchfulness upon the interests of the rationsThe hope of the peoples of the world centred upon «ich n league. 'l/he select classes of mankind were na longer the governors of mankind. The fortune"! of mankind were now in the hands of the nlaii; people of the whole world. Satisfy them, and you have justified theil confidence. Fail to satisfy them, and net arr.-msremejit yon can malie will either set up or maintain the peace of the world

America was pledged to this objective without compromise' President Wilson continued!—"We are hero to see that cvevv people of the world hhall '-boose their own masters to govern nmu's destinies, to see that every foundation of this war is swept awn v. These foundations were the private ehoic« of a small coterie of civil rulers' and militarv staffs. We have had the riTcresion of Great Powers upon small, the holding together of Empires of unwilling subjects by duress of arms, and the using of mankind as pawns in the game. Nothing lc=s than the cmancination of the world from these things will accomplish peace." He concluded hr the very pulse of the world seemed to be nt (hi- surface in this enterprise.—Aus.y.Y Cable Assn

THE FIRST TEST. SETTLEMENT OP CAPTURED COLONIES. Received Jan. 31, 1.30 a.m. London, Jan. 29. General Maurice, writing to the Daily News from Paris, says that the. first real test of the league of nations is now proceeding in the settlement of German colonies. He had not found confirmation of the report that the* five great Powers intend finally to settle the question. It may be presumed they will submit recommendations to the plenary conference. It may be taken that President Wilson, Mr. Lloyd George, and M. Clemeneeau will bo certain earnestly and sincerely to attempt to apply the principles of the league, of nations to the settlement of the colonies, also the conquered Adriatic territory.

President Wilson definitely proposed that these possessions be entrusted to the nearest Power, who will administei them on behalf of the league.

General Maurice understands that Britain is prepared to accept the proposal, where able to do so with full authority, but is unwilling to interfere with Use views and rights of the Dominions, —Ars. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

A CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEM. NO CONFLICT EXISTS. Received Jan. 31, 1.33 a.m. London, Jan. 2!). The Daily Clironiclo's Paris ec<rre•pondent says the disposal of the German colonies is a characteristic problem. 'Die discussion thereof makes an admirable introduction to others, on which (here may be more marked divergencies of spirit and opinion. It is true that a certain difference e\'i: ; ts between President Wilson's and Mr. Hughes' ideas, but it would be a mischievous distortion of the facts to say that any conflict exists. President Wilson's idea of general trusteeship has seized the great minds working behind the conference with wonderful rapidity. Tt has certainly come to stay, though it must only be tentatively applied at first. British Ministers feel that the idea gives great promise, but do not wish to risk the future by wholesale arbitrary application.—Aus. N,Z. Cable Assoc.