Evening star., 1919-01-31
Prohibition of "Private" Un-
derstandingS Is Still to
Be Written.
DELEGATION SAFEGUARDS
AMERICAN TRADITIONS
United States Likely to Be Manda-
tory Agent Only on Western
Hemisphere.
Bl DAVID LAWRENCE.


Copyright. 1919. by New York Evening Post
PARIS, January 31.-President vii
son hopes to obtain the agreement OF
his colleagues to the practical applica-
tion of every one of the fourteen
points Thus far there has been only
informal discussions of all phases OF
these points. An understanding has
been reached as to the open covenants
of peace, but actual prohibition OF
"private international understandings
Is still t.. be written.
The freedom of the seas has been fully
explained and Great Britain, which has
been the chief doubter heretofore, is
ready TO Incorporate the rules of the sea
in the body of the principles under which
the league of nations will operate. The
establishment of the equality of trade
conditions has been partially covered
in the effort to obtain uniform legisla-
tion as to labor.
The limitation of armament will be
left to the league of nations to work out,
but probably there will be definite rec
concentrations by the peace conference.
Russian Problem Still Pending.
The Russian problem has been
taken up in an effort to compose the
factional differences and is still pend
ing The restoration of Alsace has
Unanimously been agreed upon and
remains only to be Incorporated in
the treaty at the proper time. The
rea1justment of the frontiers of Italy
involves the mandatory idea of league
of nations. which has been accepted
in principle in the last few days and
further discussion of the details is
now in progress. The same principle
which allows the league OF nations
TO desighate the power which shall
supervise the smaller and dependent
nation9issies underlies the treatment
which viii be accorded Asia. Mihof
hitherto been under Turkish rule.
The Independence of Czechosloyakia
will be. recognized. and the national
boundaries of Rumania, Montenegro
and Serbia established. Indisputably
there will be a Polish state erected
commission now arranging a visit to
that country
Whole Field Canvassed.
A general association of nations was
tion agreeing to create league of ma.
ticns. The operation of the league has
now been made to include point FIVE
referring. to the impartial adjustment
of colonial claims. Thus 1t will be
seen that the Presidents colleagues
have canyassed the whole field al
ready.
Admittedly the progress of the
league of nations. which will be tn.
keystone of the treaty itself. is the
basis for the optimism that the other
vexed questions win be solved
The practical agreements already
made on colonial claims mark a dis
tinct forward step. MIR. Wilson on
his arrival in Europe had an omen
mind as to the best plan of dealing
with the colonies, but found Gen.
SmutS' idea, advanced by the British,
the most practicable. He accepted it
literally and became even more ar
IDENTIFY it's champion than the original
e1ponents of the mandatory idea
Divided Into Two Kinds.
1t means that nations which cannot
govern themselves shall be under the
supervision of single power desig-
mated by the league. II means that
these nations shall be divided into
two kinds-those backward political
ly, as in d sense unable to finance or
administer themselves unaided (Ara-
bia and Persia are examples of that
class; the other kind embraces semi
civilized, even barbarian sections of
Africa.
The first kind will be absolutely able
s1L
pointed as mandatory agent The sec.
ond kind will be able 10 protest
against the treatment administered by
the agent nation appointed or to be
appointed, and the league will bt
judge as to whether the protest is
justified IN each case the people will
have the say as TO how they will bt
governed by the league assuming
greater authority among people W hicf
need TO be civilized.
American Delegation Safeguards.
My understanding is that the Ameri.
can delega ton has safeguarded the
American tradition absolutely by hay.
ing a clause Incorporated which en-.
abies any power which is designated
mandatory or league agent 20 decid.
whether il accepts or declines the re.
Sponsibiiity offered.
Thus it is certain the American peo.
pie. through Congress, will decid,
themselves as each problem arises
whether the United States wants tf
accept the job of policing any coun.
try in the world, when the league for
malIy readJusts IL in order to com
pose any difficulties. 1t seems plausi.
BILE that America might without con
gresSiona1 action agree to act as dip.
lomatic mediator in disputes, bu
anything involving obligation to us,
force will be open always to the de
cision of the American Congress.
il is deemed unlikely that the
come mandatory agent, except posi-,
phere when again couciliatory tao.
There could be used moral and eco
forces. depending upon the circum
stances in each case.
Compulsion Is the Test.
The test. however, would be TN,
compulsion to settle problems. Thi.
is not different from heretofore. wheI
the European nations eXerted pres
sure to have the United states ac
i'll revolutionary troubles in the west
ern hemisphere II means the forma
recognition by all the nations of tn,
world of the Monroe doctrine. Ou
delegation regards the mandator,
Continued on Second Page.)