GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1919, Page 5

GERMAN COLONIES

MB HUGHES SCORES.

AtittDAXß OH CLOSED DOOR. Pari3, Jan. 31. Mr Murdoch states that as the council reached the final phases of the colonial discussion it required obstinate argument. Finally President Wikoa said: "Mr Hugliea, is that the mnrimimi Australia is prepared to concede?" "Absolutely," replied Mr Hughes; ''and it is conditional upon Australia receiving the mandate and consent from Australia." This waa more than a n.era gesture of dissent; it meant that the Commonwealth lemained In the strongest possible position, as he." consent waa reserved until it is absolutely flfertaia ihe feceivee the mandate under tile* Uttmß. The importance or the OCmccsstoH to great because Australian jfefeiwe navigation laws will apply. Th# formula was Mr Hughea' suggests* and hs£ first to ho fought through the Imperial Cabinet, wHms Messrs Hoj(hM, Mksesy aitd Botha all registered k formal protest against the British acceptance of the mandatory system and pfOSiidwl the formols a# ihe minimum 4««pta6!e itfeor protest. ¥ha formula of Messrs Botha, Massev. and Hughes was wrapped up in a lijß&hf rwohrikm of tew clauses, of OTtfrh tile 1 Sth Wits the tital provision 14 'ftlw aoeepted ihe conditions previous?? mentioned i* the Govprfior-Gener-'

MWrt 6f President Wilson's term.', (he?*- Mfrtj} th 4 ptoJlifation of the "tiave tnde, tlie «a'>o of liquor to natives, except as noM«e, din® resartiJW tile UMtAt of defensive works per"ffu* ileiewtes do not regard the wovi'iorm! settlement as absolntelv final, Bfrtiifcs fh* «S»*t : »l twit of President pten 11 that tl* Leasee of #ij«t V the V>dy issTiine defi--4 fcifc mandates, tot the coiinci! acrnntud th# frtPWola an<l the antbo-itst.ivp TV?fwli «t»*»tr;fT>r no drmht tliflf / r =»tniTi*'. ard S?ont l > AWri wilt get mandates on the closed do'T ®m» statement remrdo fie "nanl»torr "Tstero n# an »Ww«fnn nf Wtroda. tfi<» plains* tlvftt >t Vn<>fif« tf>» Empire because the foreicm #»d mtonfal pieTiwah #*fi<Hw»fiped PritM traders.

OtJEsrwysr not finally settled ONLY PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT. London, Feb- 1. Official.—The disposal of the forme: Gii jaaa colonies and other enemy territories has not been finalfy settled; a provisional agreement only hafs been ■ut'hed and even this is indefinite and habl/ to vital alteration, but it may be assumed that the later-Allied Confer-

enes hat pntttx»Hy adopted (he principle at internationalised conlfol i> the »&nd«tori«e appointed by the league ■■nrf i-ii.tions. T'a* mandatory Powers have not jet been Selected, but it is safe to assume that is'ew Zealand will be the mandatory State for Samoa, Australia for New Guinea, South Africa for South-West and EiMt Africa, and Japan for the PaelGe i«lan;ls r.orth o6 the wjur.tor. The dHapoaal «( t&e other territories is still Bwleeided.

It h*s oeeft reported that Australia li.io rejected tin provisional agreement. i (hteh a fo repleading as Africa, " Atiitfsfct, and New Zealand have ftjrrctd to acccpc the mandatory prin«ipit! with certain vitai reservations and caf«goards, bfct ibe A'atralian dele-

gate Must obtain ihe consent of lit flfffrrnnWnt TWs v?a3 the basis of the misleading report that Australia alone 4i<Sgte«l Tha f&ertations and safeguards stipulate! fcy tfce delegates eoooersed in the future of the African colonies, Hew titiiAAi sad Samoa provide ior the ad< vmiatntiofi of each colony node/ ins l»Ws el tie mandatory to which the colony is to be attached, also for the prohftitiw «f certain abeses cad practiced foreign to British policy, such as tfc# fisfcW tfad* and srms and liquor traffic and the prevention of the milittey tftrnins of tfce natives other titen Ui yaifeing the colony. WHfc tlMm stfegoarda the Pacific Dominions provisionally agree to man inter? tetirtA, bat tie question is still frntn a final settlement.—Aoa. -N.2. Ctci'.a ASMO.

ff£BSOS PRESS COMMENTS. Paris, Jan. SI i'hi Mitm giates that the trusteeship ol ihe fumer German colonies is provisional in the sense that the League of Nations may fevtew two years her.ee the editions ol the conquered te:r; toi ica Australia's Claim for tha tee simply of New Guinea was ionsidered uie (rtrongest amongst oil ihe colonial elates, titai the other claimants to cor.nltfej ttrri'.<Jry were glad to afcow Awtralia to put up tie first fight. TU<- Ajiterieens demanded, fir stir, a J*al f*.y[ae of jVatiOD3; wcoiidiy, fclic ln.-:ohWßty of the armistice; t'tn.-ur-, a «ccfiei6«n£ of each national claim on principles applicable to all the others. The Austraiana viewed Aiuerics/s attitude at taking undue advantage of krr strength and, while willing to rcgard frefflflefei Wileon f working for a priedple. tfcey we is yet convinced that hj» had in misd the necessity of reasswtf.ir tli« Asocicaa people against Japan. PfMidesi Wilson had a lengthy <*>?.- »vrt?.Viion with Mr Hughes and jrympatl>ifW4 with Australians economic argument but never wavered on lae mam bme, n» Ocelo.a, in an article keiusd "Towards an Am»ric(in Peace," eiya trri it fiib to Understand Ivfr Lloyd Oer.rjre'e disMWertinp ctiitnde towai'rith? 'Okßmions in faiKhg to secure for theai ib« legitimate compensation merited br their sacrifices and devotion to the -Allien canne. UH attitude risks the: • ssysfty towards the Moiheriaad.— Ulr;t?C C-BTV7X.

OTHKSR PRESS VIFTtVS, Hew York, .Tan 15' rtc p;'S' Torie Herald, in an editorid npvf "It must he renembereil that KVw vijinai, cai the Bisfcisrek Arehinelago for I he past four rears hr.ve V"'-" br the Australian I»ov(nrtnj9T!i. TXir'tia thh period the fwrmiw of tl'cpe islandn h*re settled flown wacefnllr and conteotfldlr to Ar-'trriV,Rn rule The intemationalisni Vm of t»i(«c im?„ndl womld be diffipoTt Mid mtffhf hf uriinst both to Australia »«»' <<n> nlss->p« disputed The Son's Pub oammondmi —-w

that President Wilson suggested two classes of mandatory government for the German colonies under the League of Nations, namely, for civilised colonies the nation to hold the mandate would be selected through the expression of the will of the inhabitants. The league would choose the mandatory nation for uncivilised territories.

The Tribune, in an editorial, says: There would be no objection to the transfer of the German colonies to tha League of Nations if the trusteeship was only temporary Permanent ownership by the league would entail embarrassment. The colonies should be 'Med to cancel «vime of tiie existing claim's against o<-many for indemnities. —Aui-lf-Z. Cab!.- Assoc.

London, Jar.. 31The Daily Express says that the future of the Paciuo races and the whole question of the economic competition of the white and yellow races, in which America is equally interested with Australia and New Zealand, is at stake. Meanwhile Japan "is lying low, out is certain to demand every political and economic advantage under the 14 points. It is no exaggeration to say that th ! « question is severely testing the idea of a real League of Nations, and t.he discussion? must have an important bearing on the future. London, Jan. 31. Opinion in Radical circles regarding the Australians' attitude on the Pacific is voiced in article's in the Daily News and Manchester Guardian. The former makes a vitrolic att-ck on Mr Hughes under the heading "A Public Danger." It says: "Doubtless Mr Hugber < acting on Mr Watt's instruction?, but he is not bound to give Australia's claims to the newspapers in the fcTj/i ot an inflammatory manifesto: After the defeat of bis protection crusade Mr Hughes sank into obscurity; is he now to ba permitted to emerge to ■trouble the peace of the world? Have we got rid of the Kaiser to bo saddled with Mr Hughes?" The Manchester Guardian substitutes' argument for its contemporary's invecfive ami asks. "Sir>ce there is bo question that the colonies cannot be restored to fiwirmv the Dominions will severally be given full possession. Such a policy is likely to breed jealously, dislike and c.mfiV-t. The claim of u:iv nation to the seized territories with their populat;nt" Is essentially immorai."— Cable Asscc. Paris, Jan. :<l. Australians here, feel that President Wilson failed to distinguish between the measures essential to the safety of Australia and petty ts/uoria!" ambition'. President Wilson, during a long conversation with Mr Hughes, a<?miWed the Australian economical and political claim;: to the German colonies but wou?l not change his views. Oco Australian said: 'I am convinced th.it i c ours was the oniv Precider.il Wilson would have be'en with as." HUGHES' ELUNTNESS. THE ATMOSPHERE UNPLEASANT. ■Received *3", B.ii p.m. London, Feb. 11. It is stated that it was onl.v under the pressure of the entire British delegation that .Mr Hughes consented to President Wilscn's plan for the administration of the German colonies. Mr Hughes has rough and ready political ways and a penchant for calling a spade a spade. He upheld what he considered Australia's rights, and was never really convinced, though abandoned by all his colleagues. Japan saw' the uselessness of opposing the propositions long before the Australians expressed their willingness to compromise. It was largely through General Smut's efforts that Mr Hughes gave in, the atmosphere of the Conference being anything but pleasant at tines—Aus.-N.iJ. Cable Assoc.

THE MANDATORY PRINCIPLE. | APPLICATION MUST DIFFER. Received Feb. 3, 8.55 p.m. Paris, Feb. I. The Australian Press Association correspondent states that the United States had not sought the control of any specific territory, nor even tentatively accepted such responsibilities, yet there was good reason to suppose that the Powers are not averse to Constantinople passing under the guardianship of America. In this case it would mean the internationalisation of tlie Dardanelles. As the time lor President Wilson's return approaches it is practically certain he will take back a final plan for the league of nations for presentation to Congress as approved by the Aljies, and the nature of the mandate to be followed. In the examination of the practical application of the mandatory principle it was made clear that the character of the mandato musi aecessarily differ according to cireumßtaßces. There are certain peoples in' the world whoae experience as iudependent: Eatioas can already be provisionally recognised, but who have not reached the stage >vhen they can stand ?.<one ia the troubled conditions of the modern world. For example, som« recently liberated from Turkish rule may require the of the mandatory Povers to help them to develop their resource cad prevent internal strife or external aggrension or intrigue until ifcey are sirong enough to maintain iadepeader.i rational life. In such CHses the wishes of the people ought to be the predominaut cocsideration in determining the nuaidatory Power In a case like Centra' Africa t«e conditions arc different Gome are against exploitation,; w/th guarantee against slavery, liquff.. and arm;: traffic, and agsinot theii orgayiiAtlon into great armies, while securing ti;em eqtiai lights foi trade ar.d commerce. Othe/ cation s of the league chotiia be enf,muted with seeing them observed. At tlie same time other areas, notably Oermaa South-West Aftiea a:id tire Paciftr. "(slsjwis io the ne-prhbcrr.ooQ oJ Australia asd liTew Sealar.d. where throufli spariieneiis of populatioTi, the continuity to Vm mandatory Pcwe.*, the remoleres-i tram the grpat centres of civilisation und otber similar circumstaneee, the nlrnplest and 'best course wHI be that they be brought *-ithia the laws of Ire t.dmhiiftrativs r.ystfrn of the ZwmhiScnti aetiiiß as mandatory Poweri, vifth guarantees for the interests of the iiidiger.oua population while nt.legni.idhg the interests of the Domlnioso—Aus N.Z, Cable Association

MOST DRAMATIC LPiSO.pi}. L IN MODERN POLITICAL HISTORY. SCEEME xiROUGiIT VROM-HEAVEN TO JIARTH. deceived 3, 8.55 p.m.

London, Jan. 31. The Daily Chronicle states that tbo' debate, whereby satisfactory provisional arrangements were reached for dealing with the German colonies, and the occupied territory in Turkey and Asia, will ona day be recognised as the most dramatic episode in modern political history Only the broad results of the consultations of the authors in Uiis decision can yet bo published, and therefore »;,i..,y inaccurate reports are current. it is now known that President Wilson's plan has bee;: brought from heaven to earth and the. League of Nations will not be a pk tonic affair like the Hague Tribunal-

This is chiefly due to President. Wilson's devotion and the liberal outlook o* the British Imperial Cabinet. Thus ownership of the derelict estates by the League of Nations was dismissed and graduated guardianship accepted. Mr Hughes retained his scruples to the. last

The Morning Post, referring to President Wilson's triumph, says it vas due to the solidarity of the three great British Tominions —Australia. N'-w Zealand and South Africa, and parfcietihuly to "Mr Hughes' eloquence ana statesmanship,, that the vital interests of the Empire vere to some extent safeguarded.

Fr«nc'n and other delegates opine that Mr Hughes is. achieving a prominent, position in the conference- The Domin ions secured the acceptance of conditions pn«urinjr that the mandate will be very wide. Thus Australia will ho entitled to apply to New Guinea and the adjoining islands the genera! trade and economic policy which applies on the mainland. Therefore 'Vfiite" Australia and navi-i Ration policies will be applicable to the new possesions.—Auh.-N.Z. Cable Assoc Received 3, 8 55 p.m. London, Feb. 1 It is authoritatively state 4 that the arrangements for the Pacific Islands conform closely to the principles enunciated fcy.tlia British League of Nations .scheme. President Wilson conceded a substantial modification by accepting the principle that the Le%guo of Nations shall not interfere wi h the established policy of trustee countries. It is true the Domini ms' desires are not wholly satisfied, buc the compromise reached is fair and reasonable, and calculated to work satisfactorily. UNDER THE LEAGUE'S MANDATE. REVISION EVERY TWO YEARS. Received Feb. 3, 8.40 p.m. London, Feb. 1. A Paris message states that the provisional arrangements mentioned ill the communique mean that the colonies which obviously are incapable of satisfactorily administering their affairs will be held by the conquerors as trustees under the league's mandate. The arrangements are subject to review every two years.—Aus. NJZ. Cable Assoc. A GERMAN PROTEST. Received Feb. 3, 8.55 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 1 The Deutsche Allegmeine Zeitung semi-offieiaily protests against the demands made by the conference for the possession of the German colonies, and points out that the Allies originally accepted President Wilson's proposals regarding the colonies in his fourteen points, and adds that it is impossible for President Wilson to abandon his principles. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A GRATUITOUS OPINION. Sydney, Feb. 9 The Labor Party has cabled to President Wilson saying that the Labor

movement in Australia views "with alarm any departure from its expressed opinion tliat captured territory in the Pacific should be placed under the control of the League of Nations. :