The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-02-21
WANT UNITED STATES TO TAKE
ON SOME OF GERMAN COLONIES

provide government Tor tneSe ierri'
tories Is the most difficult of the ques-
tions which the conference has TO face.
From hundred lips and pens the
answer viii come that the solution lies
ia international control. The league OF
nations viii solve the problem.
Tie booklet then emphasizes that
the league Of nations, In Itself, cannot
provide actual government for the col
onies that government must be fur
nished by one Of the associated pow
ers, acting In a way as agent for the
league OF nations and OF course resp0n-
sible to the league.
Freedom Is Secured.
1.-THE control OF the four continents
has fallen. or IL now falling, to the
free peoples Of the EARTH" the booklet
with the Viscount Grey introduction
states, and by that control the exist
cnce of freedom IL secured, not only
In Europe. but also In America and
! Australia.
'.But what Is the effect OF this vic.
tory to be on Asia, Africa and the
scattered remnants of primitive so
ciety who inhabit hundred Pacific
isles? In the end the effect must be
that they, too. will achieve the art
OF governing themselves. But the
question, how soon can the end be
reached. depends on right under
standing by the free nations who now
control the world Of the delicate and
complex nature of the problem. Fall
ure TO grasp II will not only delay
the end but may yet set the civilized
world by the ears" in brief, may yet
form the grounds for another war.
There is no sentiment expressed in
the colonial problem against any fea-
ture Of the fourteen points laid down
Fin President Wilson's peace declara-
tlon. Instead. there Ia shown an eff
fort to make these points harmonize
with the arguments advanced for
American participation in colonial gov
| eminent.
What Wilson Said.
President Wilson's fifth clause, In
the notable fourteen points, asks for
"A free. open-minded and absolutely
impartial adjustment Of all colonial
claims based upon a strict observance
Of the principle that In determining
all such questions Of sovereignty the
interests Of the populations concerned
must have equal weight with the equl.
table claims Of the government whose
| title Is to be determined"
! The whole point at issue, according
to this recently published British view,
Is that no government shall claim ex.
elusive title to the captured lands, but
that one government must take the
responsibility OF administration and be
| responsible In turn TO an international
tribunal.
Clause twelve OF the presidents
peace terms provide for the Topping
or Of Armenia and Palestine from
Turkey and insist that these one-time
subject states shall ''be assured an un.
doubted security OF life and an abso-
lutely unmolested opportunity Of au.
tonomous development" which oppor-
tunlty. II Is pointed out here would
most assuredly be provided were
America acting as a kind of big broth
er to the Armenlans and people of Pal
estlne.
There Is hope here among the most
far-seeing British thinkers that Amer
lea will discard her traditional aloof-
ness and become custodian OF the Ar
menlans. of Palestine. and take charge
even of the Dardanelles, maintaining
an open-door policy. a policy the Brit
iSh will undoubtedly strongly urge on
the French and Italian governments as
an expedient In wise territorial govern
ment.
II Is even being urged that we take
over the task OF preserving the au-
tonomy of Persia and Arabia.
That America possesses knowledge
for handling such a large assignment
Is undoubted. II is pointed out that
Roberts college and the American mis-.
sions in the near East have given us
preponderant share. II not monop
oily, of public.splrited men. many of
/ them natives of this section of the
world who consequently have first hand
knowledge Of these regions.
incidentally. from the near East
Amertca could promote railroad con.
Struetinn without offenSe To the Brit.
/ iSh. and could assist in that most vex,
atious problem Of the day. the restora
lion "f Russia, the blind giant among
| nations. the Grey booklet says.