GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1919, Page 5

GERMAN COLONIES

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. DECISION FINDING FAVOR. MR. HUGHES STILL DISGRUNTLED. Received Feb. 9, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 8. Now that the warmth over last week's colonial decisions is cooling there is a feeling among some of the overseas representatives that the colonies will eventually come off very well. Mr. Hughes, in an interview, stated that the mandatory could not be considered satisfactory until Australia knew its nature. He intended to the conference to issue the mandatory itself pending the constitution of the league, which will inevitably require much time. Lord Milner will act as the British delegation during Mr. Lloyd George's absence. In view of the Australian Labor cable to President Wilson, it is interesting to note that the direct control of the Pacific islands by the league received only the barest mention during the colonial discussion. Three possibilities were outlined—the league to have direct control over German territories; control by mandate, and annexation. The first was quickly discarded on the ground thai condominiums had failed, especially in Morocco and Central Africa, hampering development and causing endless friction and maladministration. President Wilson, indeed, objected to the word ' nationalisation" as associated with failures and political cliques. He preferred "neutralisation," but said the best government was by a mandate from the I world. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.