Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-07
CONFLICTS OVER
TERRITORIES
IN CONFERENCE
They Are Prompted by Fact
That Society of Nations
May Make Inquiry.

Paris, Feb. 1.-THE lumber of ter
ritorial conflicts now making their p
pearance in peace conference circles.
it is said in some quarters. is attrib-
utable to the prospects of. an early
realization of a society Of nations plan
which will involve the examination of
all such claims by a legal tribuna! of
the society for adjudication with due
regard to the wishes n welfare Of
the Inhabitants of the districts in dis
pute.
1t is thought that some of the pow
erS whose titles to territories in con-
flict rest IN ancient historical ties
would prefer to commit the peace con-
ference to their support in advance of
the adoption of a society of nations
plan. If they could do this, they would
M the principles which may be laid
down in the society of nations.
The community of Interest," of some
! nations in certain questions has led
to hints of cooperation among those
nations to make up a majority in the
even mentions threats of resistance, to
any decisions adverse to these inter-
ests. The special commission working
on the society of nations plan is not
moved by these rumors, however. and
is going about it's work quietly but
rapidly.
At the same time the, supreme coun-
Neil in short daily sessions continues
it's policy of hearing patiently all
claims and generally referring them
to special or standing committees for
examination
Secret treaties made under stress of
war and which may be considered out
Of harmony with the principles on
which a society of nations is being or
ganized, have provoked much COM
ment The American delegates at
least. have said that such agreements,
insofar as they are in conflict with the
principles of a society Of nations must
give way.
The Russian problem again will
come to the fore today in connection
with the acceptance by the Moscow
Rolsflevik government of the invita-
ton to the conference on the Princes
Islands. In some quarters the action
Of the Moscow government has been
hailed with satisfaction and relief in
view of the promise it gives of an i'm
MEDIATE termination of Bolshevik at
tacks on the little Allied army in the
fArchangel sector.
Small crowds are beginning to as
sembie around the foreign office
where. tho supreme council meets, but
thew do not disturb the members.
Experienced diplomats express sur
prise at the harmonious proceedings
in vieM OF the multiplicity and COM
piev:ty of questions.
The society of nations commission
met again last night under the chair
.n,anship of President Wilson who is
aiming to bring abou a complete con-
stitiI.ion for the society in these night
ly sessions which last until midnight.
Tho progress now being made indi-
Gates that the task nay be completed
within the next four or five days or
well ahead>of the time for the presi-
dents return to the United States
February is. The members CT the
commission emphasize. however. that
the agreements reached so far as are
provisional and in principle only. The
entire structure may yet have to he
rov'snd when it comes to agreeing to
details.
The main discussion lest night was
on the formation of the executive
branch of the society. President Will
SON. Leon. Bourgeois for France, and
Lcrd Robert Cecil each presented
plans on the representation to be CIV
EN- tn sro"''ar powers. The plans diff
fered slightly.
Unofficial Information is that Pres
ident Wilson'S proposal was for an
executive branch of five members
from the great powers and four mem
bers from the small powers. making a
council of nine with a two-thirds vote
required for the adoption of meas
ures.
Qualifications for membership
: which also is being discussed, involves
the membership Of neUtrals and ene-
my powers as we'll as the great and
small. powers. The presence at the