Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-29
GERMAN COLONIES
WARDS Of NATIONS
President Would Not Have Them
Treated by Victors as
Spoils of War.
MANY INTERESTS CONFLICT
Peace Conference Hears Pacific
Claims of British Dominions.
Secret Pacts Must Yield.
MANY INTERESTS CONFLICT

IARiS. Jan. 2S.--Thc German colo
nies III the Far East and the Pacific.
az well az those in Africa. again were
the subject OF an exchange Of views
a, two sessions OF the peace confer
ence to-day. il is officially announced.
Japan. China and the British domn-
| ions We're heard, os was also the
French Colonial Minister. NJ. Henri
Simon.
The fundamental principles OF the
, league of nations also were discussed.
The oficia! communique issued to-
night follows:
the Prime Ministers and Foreign Min
isters of the United States: the Brit
representatives OF Japan held TWO
meetings to-day. the first from II ~.
NJ. to l2;a9 T. NJ. and the second from
1 to $3.50 L. VI.
EXCHANGE VIEWS On
GERMAN POSSESSIONS
! IAN exchange Of views took place
Oh the German colonies in the Far
East and the Pacific. and on those in
Africa.
"The representatives OF the donin-
, ions were present at these. two ses-
sions; the representatives Of China at
that in the morning. and the Marquis
Salvage NJ that in tho afternoon.
in the morning the delegates Of
Australia. New Zealand, Japan and
I'm tho afternoon NJ Henri Simon.
French Minister of Colonies. explained
the views of his department OF CO.
lon.al questions
"In addition, the Fundamental prin,
ciples of the league of nations. and
their application, were considered.
THE next meeting Will take place
tomorrow at IL \. NJ
ATTENTION CENTERED ON
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
Attention for the moment is cenicrcd
chiefly on the plan presented by Pres
iden, wilson for the internationaliSa- internal
sions. This, indeed. now IS virtually
monopolizing the attention of the
council, which has summoned repre-
and China into the conference hear
inGs. which consumed most OF ycster-
day. and which were resumed to-day.
tralia. claims German New Guinea for
the Australian Commonwealth while
New Zealand claims Samoa. japan de-
sres the Marshall and Caroline groups
OF islands. reported secret treaty
between, ngla9d aland. Iapan. gia;ng
Japan. thss IS a4ds- north ofnthe equator
the equator. stands In the way OF the
Internal nationalization plan. but II Is gem
orally believed all secret treaties viii!
give way before the league of nations.
The Impression seems to be that the
disposition of the German colonies will
be finally arranged by the five great
powers. without reference 10 inc peace
conference at plenary session or to
the various commissions.
PACIFIC SITUATION OF
INTEREST TO AMERICA
The Pacific island phase Of the CO.
lon!ai claims now before the council is
particularly interesting to the Ameri-
can representatives because OF the
American interests in the Pacific no
taely through American possession OF
Hawaii and the Philippines.
There has been no official nnnonpce-
ment or what Japan proposes the pow
crs should give her for her part in
the war. but there have been reports
chau back TO China, but wished to re-
tain the German rights to tho develop
iment Of the hinteriand. There has
been no indication OF how far she
would press her claims to the Pacific
FRENCH PRESS DOUBTFUL
OF PLANS WORKABILITY
French. press with having brought for
ward during yesterdays discussion of
the subject OF the German colonies
the plan under which they would be
guardianship of the league Of nations.
which would appoint one OF its mem
bers 10 administer them. The Matin
characterizes the idea as generous and
Of difficulty in putting it into practice
me newspaper quoting Premier Lloyd
George as declaring the colonies usual
~ Sost more than they bring.
has decided to keep the question of
labor to the fore as far as possible
in the conference here. President Viii
son and Colonel House have arranged
TO be held tomorrow to formulate The
program to be pushed