The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-30
British and French Abide by
Wilson Colony Policy.
Means Disposition of the Ter.
ritory Taken From Hun.
ASK WHAT PLAN Is TO Be
Acceptance Is Subject to Con-
ditionS To Be Made.
All Claims To Be Adjusted on
the League Principle.

Paris, Jan. 30.-The British and
French governments have accepted in
principle President Wilson's plan con-
cerning mandatories from the league
of nations for the administration of
captured territory, it was stated by
Captain Andre Tardieu of the French
peace conference delegation today.
The acceptance, however, is subject to
learning under what conditions the
plan will be carried out.
With the majority of the represen-
tatiyes proceeding on the basis that
the secret treaties. formulated by the
allies before Americas intervention
were nullified by acceptance OF Pres
ident Wilson's fourteen points, it was
believed that all colonial claims would
be adjusted on the principle OF the
league of nations.
The virtual alliance which is under
stood to exist between Great Britain
and the United States on the matter
of territorial adjustments, was regard
ed as powerful enough to override any
opposition-as it has on previous
questions-inasmuch as in this in
stance it is obviously on the popular
side and undoubtedly will receive
support from a ma jority of the other
nations. In fact. France and Italy are
reported to have followed the British
lead in abandoning or at least modify
ing their eXpansionist ambitions. This
would leave Japan and Australia prac-
tically alone in the desire to employ
Germany's lost colonies for personal
aggrandizement.
| The belief was held in some quar-
| ters that Japan and Australia might
| hold out for several days but the ma
| iority opinion was that they would
succumb today to the pressure foI
| 1a1o al German colonies
under administration of the league o1
| nations, with the countries directly in
| terested as trustees.
| American Participation.
| Copyright, 1919. by the United Press.)
| Parts. jan 30.-Am eriea's partici
patton in the peace settlement ma!
depend on the decision regarding dis
| position of the German colonies, i
was intimated today.
| President Wilson believes the League
of nations-the principle of which wa
unanimously adopted only last Satur
day-will be Civ IN its death blow /
the allies now insist on dividing Ger
many's former colonial possession
| like so much loot. The league of ma
| tions was one of the principal ideal
for which the United States entered
| the war.
Some of the allies appear to favo
carrying out the world-old custom O
| division of tho spoils'' before th'
league of nations begins to functie1
which may account for the une1
pected pressure for territorial prob
| lens at this time. But the presiden
wants to have the league become eff
fective first SO it can take care of jus
such questions as ternationalizatiol
of Germany's captured islands an,
colonies. He would begin to make tn
league effective by placing these. dis
puted possessions under it's admins
tration.
/ The problem thus presented is tn
most serious that has yet confronte
the peace delegates. Wilson's firm at
titude apparently has confused his OF
i ponents, forcing them to play for tim
in which to determine their course c
|