The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-31
CRISIS NOW PAST
COnferees Agreed on Plan To
Handle Hun Colonies.
May Not Be Exactly the Policy
Named by Wilson.

Paris, Jan. 31.-The crisis in the
peace negotiations over the DISPOSE
ton to be made of Germany's colonies
seems to have passed, momentarily,
at least. 1t is too early to say that
President Wilson's view has prevailed
in it's entirety, but in American quar-
ters there is confidence that a COM
promise plan which has been accepted
in principle, will be worked out with
details which will be acceptable to the
American viewpoint.
When the supreme council of the
peace conference meets today it will
have before it the very plain statement
made by President Wilson at Wednes-
days late session. So particular was
Mr.. Wilson to have an exact record
made of what he said that soon after
entering the meeting he summoned
one of his personal stenographers and
kept him at his side during the ses-
sion.
What he said did not appear in the
official communique nor has it been
disclosed with any official authority,
but it may be stated that it was a
very clear reaffirmation of the prIn-
cfples for which the president has
previously contended. In praises
stripped of diplomatic niceties it is
said Mr.. Wilson told members of the
supreme council he would not be party
to a division of Germany's colonial
possessions among the powers which
now hold them and then become party
to league of nations which in effect
would guarantee their title.
There are differences that the presi-
! dent even referred to peace of
| loot The net result of the past two
days of discussion on the colonial
question in the opinion of many
| Americans here has been to clear the
atmosphere generally and to force
clear definition of aims on all sides
Agreement by Council.
The agreement reached by the allied
! council of ten on the colonial question,
says 4 Havas agency statement today,
| provides that territories which are
! sufficiently civilized to give an ex-
preston of their wishes as to the form
| of their government. will be permitted
! to set up such a government under the
auspices of the league of nations, OBJ
! tanning either national independence
or living under a protectorate of one
or other of the great powers. Arabia
and Mesopotamia are considered to be
examples of this class.
In the case of people insufficiently
developed for self government. the
! statement explains, the league shall
! choose the power most suitable to
! govern. under certain guarantees to be
fixed either by the peace conference
can and the far eastern colonies shall
! be left as they are now in control of
! the powers now occupying them
AS regards Asiatic Turkey, the state
/ ment adds. the four great powers are
| to undertake its administration at once
| and the council of ten has asked the
/ Versailles war council to submit a re-
port as to the best troops available for
! the occupation of this Turkish area.
| Whatever forces may be sent to
Turkey for sarrisonirS purposes.
there will be no American troops
among them. it developed today. If
is pointed out that their use for this
purpose would be inappropriate, as
the United States has never been at
war with Turkey.
The next great issue to be settled is
tself-deternination, it developed toda o.
Preliminary steps toward consumma-
! ton OF this vital principle were e,
/ pected to be taken when the pea g
bureau resumed its sessions this aft
ernoon.
The agreeTsen: reached regarding
lConunued on Page F6o.)