The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-06
SmALLNATI0NS
ARE GRANTED
RECOGNITION
BY CONGRESS
Four Additional Seats at Ses-
sions Granted Lesser Beli-
gerent Countries After
Long Session
CzECHS PRESENT CLAIM
(By Associated Press)


PARIS. Jan. 6-Nineteen small bel
ligerent nations won definite recogni-
ton from the supreme council of the
peace conference today, which granted
four additional seats on the commis-
sion to the society of nations to lesser
countries. This gives to the small
powers nine seats on the commission
which will frame the plan for the so
ciety and ten seats to the five great
powers.
According to the decision, the small
er powers of Poland, Rumania, CzechO-
Slovak and Greece will hold additional
seats. This concession to lesser ma
tions became known tonight after
long session of the comission on the
society of nations, which President
Wilson attended. 1t was apparently
received with satisfaction by the
smaller powers, which felt their repre-
sentation to be inadequate.
Tonight's session of the commission
lasted from $3.50 until after II o'clock.
the chief point discussed being the
constitution of the executive body of
the society of nations. Wishing to
meet the opposition Of small countries
which have resented thei. having been
England proposed to give five repre-
sentatives for smaller countries, rlak-
ing the membership seven in all.
May Get Further Power.
Premier Orlando of Italy approved
the British suggestion, saying that he
considered it would give fair repre-
sentation to all countries, but Leon
Bourgeois, speaking for France. op-
posed the plan, pointing out that the
nineteen small belligerents were en-
titled to larger representation. He
found support for his assertion. Eng
land also suggested formula which
would permit her dominions to be
represented on the body.
Positive steps for reconciling diff
ferences between the greater and less
er nations at the peace conference,
which were begun yesterday. are con-
tinuing today. In addition to win
! ming four additional places on the
commission on the society of nations,
it seems probable that the lesser pow
ers also will be granted adequate rep
resentation in the executive body of
society, as well as the legislative Sec
tions. The smaller powers are insist
ing on being given a greater voice in
the society and plans under consider
alton are being revised to meet the
situation.
Wilson at Conferences.
When the commission on the so
ciety of nations meets tonight, repre-
sentatives of Poland, Roumania,
Greece and Czecho-Slovakia will be
present, together with those of China,
Brazil, Belgium. Portugal and Serbia,
and the five great powers. President
Wilson expects to be present every
night this week, as the work of franz
ing the plan for the society of ma
tions is regarded by him as of ex-
treme importance.
Ask U. S. Protection.
The American delegation to the
peace conference has numerous petit
tions from committees, municipalities,
end representatives of territories und-
er Ottoman rule, asking to be put un-
der the protection OF the United States
or at least that America shall be the
mandatory country entrusted with
government.
More significant still Is the pressure
| brought to bear to bring about a de-
cision by which America should be
entrusted with the duty of loking after
Constantinople, the Bosphorus and the
Dardanelles, which, it is believed, will
ne internationalized by the peace con-
ference. Even the great European
| powers are urging America to accept
that responsibility, as she is the only
| country which, having no direct inter-
| est in the Near East, cannot arouse
any jealousy, and enjoys the complete
confidence of all the peoples of the
| sections invilved without distinction of
race or religion.
To objections that American public
| opinion is opposed to any interference
| in the government of other countries,
especially outside the American cont
nent, it is observed, as a member of
the Italian delegation has said, that
"by participating in the war and by
taking leading part in the peace con-
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