New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-23
Japan and British DOmin-
ions Insisted Territories
Must Be Held
WON LLOYD GEORGE
TO THEIR POLICY
Asquith Opposed Expan-
sion in AfriCa-MikadO
to Get Kiao-Chau

Correspondence Of The Associated Fress.l
London, Feb. 1O.-The death knell of
Germany's colonial possessions has
been sounded. so far as lies in the
power of the Entente Allies. by the al
most simultaneous announcements Of
Walter Hume Long, the British Min
lister of Colonies; Foreign Minister
Motono of Japan and Prime Minister
Massey of New Zealand. who voiced the
view of Australia as well as New Zea-
land. Together these statements de-
clare there will be no return to Ger
many of her colonies in Africa, Asia
or the Pacific.
This attitude has the backing Of the
British and French governments. 1t
develops the fact, also, that the Asquith
government was opposed to any extern
sion of British colonial possessions IN
Africa, whereas the new Lloyd George
government approves this extension as
in line with the aspirations OF the
British colonies in Africa.
There will be a general reshittlng
of African colonies. so that the posses
sions Of England, France, Portugal and
Belgium will be more homogeneous, in
stead of being scattered and irregular
in outline, as at present
Japan's Rights Ssfeguarded
Japan.s attitude toward holding the
German colony Of Kiao-Chau. IN China,
and the Pacific islands occupied by the
Japanese feet came up when the French
draft of the reply TO President wilson
was being cabled 70 the various Entente
governments for approval. japan
pointed out that the terms omitted
reference 70 the German colonies ID
which japan had established an IN
terest.
France and England thereupon re-
piled that it had been deemed deslraole
in answering Mr.. Wilson's request for
terms not 10 make these terms embrace
everything, but that the future OF Ger.
man territorial possessions OUTSIDE OF
Europe would be considered later, so
that Japan's rights would be properly
safeguarded for future determination.
This was satisfactory 20 Japan.
The Japanese Embassy here has
Given Japan's understanding OF the
arrangement. as stated by Foreign MIN
iyter Motono. He SAID;
"The absence of any alluslon 20 the
future disposal of the German colonies
has Justly attracted the attention OF
public opinion in Japan. That point
has. however. never escaped the stten-
ton of The imperial government. 10
svoid all misunderstanding we took
stems 70 safeguard our rights, and l
am happy to say that a satisfactory
understanding exists among all the
Allies on this point
Never Will Return Colonies
The attitude Of the new British ad-
rninistration was announced about the
same time by Mr.. Long, the new Minis
fer of Colonies in the Lloyd George
Cabinet, who said;
Get no man think that their strug-
giles for these colonies have been IN
vain. Let no man think that these col
onies will ever return TO German RUE.
II ia inpossible. Our overseas empire
will not tolerate any suggestion OF the
Lind. We have been able TO rectlfy
mistakes since the war began, and 1t
now rests with the people Of this coun-
try to help to ar early and satisfactory
peace. and TO take care that they pre-
pare before the war ends 70 face that
other bitter and ruthless contest. IN
trade and commerce which will follow
hereafter"
About the same time the view OF
Australia and New Zealand as 70 Ger
man island colonies in the Pacltlc was
expressed BY Sir Joseph Ward, Finance
Minister Of New Zealand. and W. +.
Massey. Prime Minister Of New Yea
land. both of whom will be in the COM
ing imperial conference. Sir Joseph
Ward said -,
"Unless the peace conditions provide.
for the reversion to Great Britain oil
those German territories, particularly
New Guinea and Samoa, which had been
won By the blood and treasure OF
Australia and New Zealand, the people
OF those dominions would never rest
content
Conference to Hear Demands
Prime Minister Massey said at the
same time:
"New Zealand holds Samoa and
means 10 retain n. j am sure the
Australian people feel the same as 70